Russia is the tenth most popular source country of visitors to India, with more than 260,000 Russians visiting India in 2018.
There are myriad reasons why so many Russian citizens visit India, not least the 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sights, including the Golden Temple, the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi.
Whether visiting Indian Visa for Russian Citizens for pleasure, business or medical reasons, travelers from Russia require an Indian visa before arriving in the country. The process for applying is fully online, easy to complete and can be filled out and submitted within 30 minutes.
How to Apply for an India Online Visa from Russia
Since India moved the visa application process online in 2014, the procedure for applying for an Indian eVisa is significantly more straightforward. It now allows the citizens of 169 countries to apply for an electronic travel permit and does not involve any time-consuming visits to the Indian Embassy.
Russian nationals can apply for one of three types of Indian eVisas depending on the purpose of their visit. Once applicants have decided which visa suits their requirements, all they need to do is simply fill out the India electronic visa form.
Prospective travelers from Russia have plenty of time to review their application and check their entry to ensure all the correct data is included before submitting it to be processed.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa for Russian Citizens?
It is crucial for Russians to ensure they have applied for the tourist visa to India at least five business days before they travel, as it can take up to four days to process.
Occasionally, applicants are asked to provide further evidence to support the information they have provided. Examples of extra information required could include a copy of the first page of their passport containing the citizen’s biographical information.
They may also be required to submit details of all the countries they have visited in the past 10 years, information about their education history and whether they have any identification marks visible.
Indian eVisas are valid for one year from approval, and Russian passport holders should ensure they print it out and carry it with them when traveling to the country.Apply for e-Visa
Indian eVisa for Russians: Documents Required
Once travelers from Russia have determined where they are entering India, how long they are staying for and where they are staying, they are ready to apply for their visa.
Those who apply will require certain documents to be presented and requirements to be met in order to submit their electronic form:
- A valid passport with a least six months validity from the date of travel, with a scanned copy of the biographical page
- The details of where they will be staying in India, and entry and exit details
- A scanned passport photo, in color on a plain white background
- A valid email address
- A credit or debit card to pay the visa fee
Once this information is collated, they can begin the Indian e-Visa application process. The final part of the process includes paying the fee via a credit or debit card.
In addition to the documents required to apply, it is recommended to know the vaccines needed and suggested before traveling to India.
Other India Visas Available for Russian Citizens
There are three types of visas available to those looking to travel from Russia to India, depending on the purpose of the trip.
For tourists wanting to see family or tour the sights, the Indian Visa for Singapor Citizens allows up to 90 days in the country. For those visiting on business, the e-Business Visa provides up to 180 days in India. And for anyone looking to receive medical treatment in India, the e-Medical Visa provides a 60-day stay up to three times for Russian nationals.