On November 21, 2017, an official of the Home Ministry revealed that India and Russia have signed a pact for permitting visa-free arrival of flight crew of chartered and scheduled flights between the two countries.
As per the estimates of the Home Ministry, approximately 1,200 scheduled flights operate between India and Russia annually. Moreover, it is estimated that around 1,100 chartered flights from Russia arrive in India every year, with most of them landing in Goa.
The agreement has been implemented on a reciprocal basis and will facilitate visa-free arrival, stay and exit of flight crew of designated airlines, and chartered and special flights.
Isha Kalwant Singh, Legal Intern
Keywords: Visa-free, arrival, stay, exit, flight crew
