Russia and Iran Expand visa-free group tours, boosting Moscow’s appeal for Iranian travelers
The first wave of visitors from Tehran arrived in Moscow under the visa-free group tour agreement between Russia and Iran, marking a new chapter in people-to-people exchanges. In a 2023 update, officials indicated that the plan to launch visa-free group travel was already on the table, with a formal agreement signed on July 1, 2021. The arrangement permits organized group visits of up to 50 travelers for stays limited to 15 days, paving the way for structured, short-term trips between the two nations. Moscow confirms that visa-free group exchanges resumed on August 1 of the announced year, a development communicated by the Ministry of Economic Development’s press service.
The inaugural test groups consisted of 86 Iranian travelers who landed in Moscow on March 18. Additional groups totaling more than 130 people were scheduled to arrive later in the week, underscoring a cautious but steady ramp-up in cross-border tourism under the new framework.
In terms of traveler interest, Tehran’s guests showed a strong preference for Moscow’s signature venues and a curiosity about St. Petersburg as an add-on. Officials noted that by the end of the year, the mutual tourist flow under the group visa-free mechanism could reach several tens of thousands of travelers. This outlook reflects growing participation in organized tours and a broader curiosity about Russian culture, history, and urban life.
Participants planned full itineraries that highlighted Moscow’s central landmarks. Highlights included Red Square, the Kremlin, Zaryadye Park, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Victory Park, and a range of other historical and cultural sites throughout the capital. The program also sparked interest in experiencing Moscow’s public transit system, with many travelers eager to ride the metro and explore different neighborhoods on foot and by city routes.
Early impressions from Iranian travelers emphasized comfort despite the season and a sense that Russia has become a popular destination among Iranians. Many guests noted the weather as cool but manageable, and they spoke about the experiences they hoped to have in Moscow as part of their organized groups. These travelers form part of a broader trend of growing cultural and educational exchanges that accompany tightened or renewed tourism links between the two countries.
In Moscow, officials anticipate continued growth in inbound tourism from Iran. The head of the department responsible for international cooperation in the city’s tourism and hospitality development programs indicated that a substantial year-over-year increase in foreign visitors was observed in the previous year. The total number of foreign tourists reaching Moscow rose substantially, with a positive trend seen across the metropolitan region and its surrounding areas, reflecting global travel recovery and renewed interest from regional markets.
Looking back, the city welcomed a large volume of visitors in the preceding year, signaling a strong rebound in travel activity. The year’s earlier data showed a notable rise in tourists, with 24.5 million visitors recorded in the capital during that period, a rise of multiple millions compared with the prior year. This momentum is part of a broader pattern of tourism resurgence that extends beyond Moscow and Russia’s major hubs, reinforcing the appeal of collaborative visa programs and organized travel arrangements in the region.
As the visa-free program continues, stakeholders in both countries are actively exploring ways to streamline logistics, enhance safety, and improve the overall experience for group travelers. The emphasis remains on creating efficient entry procedures, comfortable accommodations, accessible attractions, and reliable support services for visiting groups. The ongoing collaboration between governmental bodies, tourism agencies, and hospitality networks aims to sustain the upward trajectory of Iranian visitors and to build enduring cultural and economic ties through travel and exchange.