Starting in Spring 2025, Russia will welcome visitors from India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain with a visa-free travel policy. This major change simplifies entry, meaning tourists no longer need to apply for a visa in advance to explore Russia’s cultural sites, historical landmarks, and natural beauty. This policy aims to increase tourist traffic, support cultural exchanges, and strengthen ties between Russia and these nations.
Let’s explore the benefits of Russia’s visa-free policy, how it affects tourists from India and the Gulf, and what it means for the tourism industry.
What is Visa-Free Travel?
Visa-free travel allows tourists to enter a country without applying for a visa beforehand. Travelers only need to show their passports at arrival, eliminating the hassle of application fees and processing times. This ease of entry makes a destination more accessible, especially for travelers looking for quick getaways or those on a budget.
In Russia’s case, visa-free entry for India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain will make it easier and more affordable for tourists from these countries to explore Russia.
Why Russia is Offering Visa-Free Entry to Gulf Nations and India
Russia’s move to introduce visa-free travel aligns with its strategy to increase tourism and strengthen diplomatic relations. The Gulf countries and India represent fast-growing travel markets with millions of tourists traveling internationally each year. By granting visa-free entry, Russia seeks to capture a share of this market, creating opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
This policy is also part of Russia’s broader goal to simplify travel for citizens from friendly nations, making it a top choice for tourists and business visitors alike.
Countries Included in Russia’s Visa-Free Program
The new visa-free program will cover citizens of the following countries starting in Spring 2025:
By welcoming travelers from these regions, Russia aims to strengthen its partnerships with each country. This policy also opens doors for Russian tourists visiting the Gulf and India, enhancing two-way travel and tourism collaboration.
Russia’s Popularity Among Indian Travelers
Indian tourists have increasingly shown interest in visiting Russia. In the first part of 2024, around 28,500 tourists from India visited Moscow, which is a 50% increase from the previous year. By the end of 2023, India had become one of Russia’s top non-CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) source markets, with more than 60,000 travelers.
The visa-free policy is expected to make Russia even more popular among Indian tourists. With the removal of visa fees and paperwork, visiting Russia will be more affordable and convenient, which is likely to attract even more Indian travelers in 2025 and beyond.
Financial Benefits for Tourists: Savings on Visa Fees
For Indian tourists, a visa to Russia typically costs:
Single Entry Visa: ₹6,480
Double Entry Visa: ₹10,368
Multiple Entry Visa: ₹19,440
Urgent Visa Options: From ₹12,960 to ₹20,736
With visa-free travel, Indian tourists will save on these costs, making Russia a budget-friendly destination. This money saved on visa fees can now be spent on local experiences, shopping, dining, and more, contributing directly to the Russian economy.
Economic Benefits of Visa-Free Entry for Russia
The new visa-free policy is expected to bring a tourism boost to Russia, which will positively impact local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tourism services. In 2023, tourism accounted for about 3.5% of Russia’s GDP, with major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg drawing millions of visitors.
