Moscow City, India, in talks for group visa-free travel: Moscow City is currently engaged in discussions with the Indian government to establish a group visa-free travel regime, allowing Indian tourists to visit Russia without the need for individual visas. This initiative is led by Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. He planned to facilitate travel for groups of a specified size, similar to existing arrangements with China, where groups of 10 to 20 can enter without a visa.?
India is recognised as a major market for Russian tourism, ranking second after China, with Indian travellers reportedly spending around $2,000 per trip. In 2024 alone, Moscow welcomed approximately 61,000 Indian visitors out of a total of 19.7 million tourists. Currently, Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 62 countries.?
The Moscow City Tourism Committee is leading these discussions, with Chairman Evgeny Kozlov highlighting the importance of India as a key market for Russian tourism. He noted that India ranks second in terms of tourist sources from far-abroad countries, following China. The proposed arrangement would allow groups of tourists from India to enter Russia without a visa, provided a specific number of travelers. For instance, similar arrangements for Chinese tourists require groups of 10-20 people.
Kozlov highlighted that Indian tourists are significant spenders, averaging around $2,000 per trip, and that Moscow received approximately 61,000 Indian visitors in 2024 alone. By 2030, Moscow expects to welcome around 6 million foreign tourists, with a focus on travelers from India and other regions.
Indian passport holders can enjoy visa-free travel to a variety of countries. As of 2025, here is a comprehensive list of 60+ countries where Indian tourists can travel without a visa:
Recently, several countries have introduced visa-free travel for Indian passport holders. Here are the newest countries that have become visa-free for Indians:
Currently, Indian passport holders can visit 62 countries without a visa, and Russia's inclusion would further expand travel opportunities for them. The ongoing discussions reflect a broader trend of increasing tourism between India and Russia, with over 60,000 Indian tourists visiting Moscow in 2023 alone.