Do Indian Passport Holders Need Visa For Russia

As of 2018, Indian passport holders are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Russia. This regulation is widespread and applies to all Indian passport holders. The visa procedure can be quite challenging and time-consuming, which makes applying for a visa the last thing you want to do when planning your vacation. Fear not! I know how stressful and overwhelming it can be, especially because getting information about the visa process is not often easy or possible. To make things easier on you, I’ve put together some information that will help you with your trip ahead of applying for a Russian visa.

Indian passport holders do not need a visa to enter Russia within the validity period of their passports. However, they should register themselves with Federal Migration service in Russia within three working days and show their registration at the local police station within 7 working days.

Do Indian Passport Holders Need Visa For Russia

India is a vast country with plenty to explore but what about those Indians who want to travel abroad for tourism or work? Your passport is the key to unlocking opportunities such as these.

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Russia e-Visa for Citizens of India

iVisa | Updated on Mar 20, 2022

Indian citizens will need to get the right visa for entering regions of Russia. The e-Visa program began in 2017 and is slowly expanding to include all foreign nationals like citizens of India.

Until the program includes Indians, you may need to go to a consulate or embassy to get a visa. The e-Visa program will be included in the iVisa roster of online visa applications once it becomes available for your country.

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The Russia e-Visa Program | Frequently Asked Questions

AFTER I RECEIVE MY E-VISA, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO USE IT?

The Russian e-Visa will expire after 30 days from the date of issuance. This means that you will need to enter Russia with the visa within 30 days from the issuance date or the visa will become invalid.

It is currently required to apply no less than 4 days before you travel to Russia and no more than 20 days before your intended arrival date.

Be sure to plan your trip to Russia within this time frame so you do not make the mistake of allowing your visa to expire before you can use it.

HOW DOES RUSSIA SPLIT UP ITS E-VISA PROGRAM PER REGION?

The following regions of Russia currently allow foreign citizens to enter the borders with a valid e-Visa:

The Far East
Kaliningrad Oblast
St. Petersburg
Leningrad

HOW MANY DAYS DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET AN E-VISA FOR RUSSIA AFTER I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?

Usually, it takes no longer than 4 days to receive an e-Visa, but this depends on your visa operator and their e-Visa program requirements.

WHICH TRAVEL REASONS ARE ACCEPTED AS VALID TO GET AN E-VISA FOR RUSSIA?

Currently, the Russian e-Visa can be used for various purposes: business travel, tourism, and humanitarian reasons (in sports, culture, science, and technology).

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY LIMITS WITH A STANDARD RUSSIAN E-VISA?

You can enter Russia one time with the standard e-Visa. That means if you decide to leave the country or region, you will most likely need to purchase another visa to reenter the country or region of Russia where you want to go.

WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO FILL OUT A VISA APPLICATION FOR RUSSIA?

At the bare minimum, you will need the following documents and information to fill out the online application for a Russian e-Visa:

Health Insurance Policy – You will need to prove you have reliable health insurance coverage for the length of your stay.
Invitation Letter – You can request an invitation letter from your Russian tour operator or the hotel or hostel you plan to stay at while in the country. In many cases, an invitation letter from a natural or legal person who currently lives in Russia is also accepted and can be used for business, study, tourism, or personal reasons. If you are lodging in different regions of Russia, you will need an invitation letter from each host of your stay.
Valid Passport – Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the last day you plan to be in Russia. Have a couple of blank pages for stamping purposes.
Passport-Style Photo – Colored photos only, white background, ratio of 3.5 x 4.5

WHAT IS THE RUSSIAN E-VISA PROGRAM?

In August 2017, the Russian Federation began accepting visa applications online to help streamline their visa program for foreign nationals. This e-Visa program is currently open to citizens of 53 countries looking to travel to specific regions of Russia such as the Far Eastern Federal District, Kaliningrad, Saint Petersburg, and Leningrad Oblast.

Once citizens of India are allowed to apply for an electronic visa for Russia, it will be released on iVisa’s website. Until then, we can help you figure out the best way to apply.

HOW MANY DAYS AM I ALLOWED IN RUSSIA WHILE HOLDING A VISA?

The e-Visa program currently allows visa holders to stay in Russia for up to 8 days from the date of entry in the country.