Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 6 December that India will “soon” introduce a zero-fee, 30-day e-tourist visa and a matching group-tourist visa for citizens of the Russian Federation. Speaking alongside President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi, Modi framed the move as a “confidence-building step” to double Russian tourist arrivals within two years and deepen people-to-people links.
Under the plan, Russians will be able to apply online via the existing India e-Visa portal, receive approval within 30 calendar days and stay up to 30 days per entry. The initiative waives the current US$25 fee and extends to group packages of 3–40 travellers handled by accredited tour operators. India’s Ministry of Tourism estimates each incremental Russian visitor spends US$1,120, suggesting potential foreign-exchange gains of US$112 million if arrivals rise by 100,000.
![India to roll out free 30-day e-tourist and group visas for Russian citizens]()
For the global-mobility community the announcement matters beyond leisure: Russian engineers and executives who often enter India on short business/consultancy visas can now leverage the tourist category for pre-contract site visits, reducing lead-times when commercial invitations are still under negotiation. However, the waiver is not reciprocal; Indians travelling to Russia must still secure visas through VFS Global centres.
Travel-risk advisers note that biometric capture at arrival will still apply, and overstays will attract penalties under India’s Foreigner Act. Companies should remind Russian assignees that the new visa does not permit paid work; they must transition to a Business Visa or Employment Visa before commencing billable activity.
The scheme positions India competitively against Southeast-Asian destinations that already offer visa-free entry to Russians and signals a broader strategy to diversify inbound tourism markets after China’s outbound flow remained subdued. Officials hinted that similar zero-fee pilots could be considered for CIS countries next year if the Russian offer drives measurable traffic.
Under the plan, Russians will be able to apply online via the existing India e-Visa portal, receive approval within 30 calendar days and stay up to 30 days per entry. The initiative waives the current US$25 fee and extends to group packages of 3–40 travellers handled by accredited tour operators. India’s Ministry of Tourism estimates each incremental Russian visitor spends US$1,120, suggesting potential foreign-exchange gains of US$112 million if arrivals rise by 100,000.
For the global-mobility community the announcement matters beyond leisure: Russian engineers and executives who often enter India on short business/consultancy visas can now leverage the tourist category for pre-contract site visits, reducing lead-times when commercial invitations are still under negotiation. However, the waiver is not reciprocal; Indians travelling to Russia must still secure visas through VFS Global centres.
Travel-risk advisers note that biometric capture at arrival will still apply, and overstays will attract penalties under India’s Foreigner Act. Companies should remind Russian assignees that the new visa does not permit paid work; they must transition to a Business Visa or Employment Visa before commencing billable activity.
The scheme positions India competitively against Southeast-Asian destinations that already offer visa-free entry to Russians and signals a broader strategy to diversify inbound tourism markets after China’s outbound flow remained subdued. Officials hinted that similar zero-fee pilots could be considered for CIS countries next year if the Russian offer drives measurable traffic.
