Russia and Myanmar to Sign Visa-Free Travel Agreement in September

Russia and Myanmar are ready to sign an intergovernmental visa-free travel agreement in September, the Russian Economic Development Ministry has said. The subject was discussed at a meeting of Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Kyaw Soe Win, Myanmar’s Minister of Hotels and Tourism at the Travel International Tourism Forum in Moscow.

Reshetnikov said that “Signing an intergovernmental agreement on visa-free travel will be an important step in further developing tourism. Russia is ready for the signing, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has given related instructions. The document is due to be signed on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in September.”

Russians are increasingly interested in Southeast Asia, with around 2.5 million Russian tourists visiting the Asian region in 2024. The number of tourist arrivals in Myanmar in Q1 2025 grew 60% year on year.

Reshetnikov said, “Growing tourist arrivals from Myanmar to Russia have been the result of active work from the Myanmar side on the Russian market and participation in exhibitions and forums.”

Before the agreement takes effect, citizens of Myanmar can apply for e-visas to Russia. Demand for such visas has grown, with the number of issued visas doubling in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024.

Another incentive for tourism is the resumption of flights between Yangon and Novosibirsk. From October this year, Myanmar’s national carrier will operate flights twice a week—on Wednesdays and Sundays.