Russian Tourist Visa for Indian - Definitive Guide

When a foreign visitor is planning to travel to Russia for tourism and other kinds of leisure activities, a tourist visa for Russia is issued. There are several benefits to this permit. It can even be issued online as well as offline. The holder is allowed to tour the country and be a part of concerts, exhibitions and other activities. On this permit, the holder can even visit their friends and family members living in Russia.

There are two ways to get a tourist visa for Russia from India. It can be obtained online in the form of an e-visa, or it can be obtained offline as a stamp visa. The e-visa is granted only to visit Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region. The validity of this permit is 30 days and the duration of stay is 8 days. For a stamp visa, the validity and the duration of the stay will differ as per the case. As per the Russia tourist e-visa news, the online permit has been made available to Indian passport holders from October 1st, 2019.

There are multiple methods to get Russia tourist visa from India. However, before the application, it is important that you check if you are eligible for the application of the same. A tourist visa for Russia can be obtained online as well as offline. The application can be made to the Embassy directly or through a visa application centre (VAC). The respective processes are as follows:

• Applying Online

1. You can start by filling out the Russia visa application form.
2. Confirm your email address.
3. Submit the form and attach all the required documents.
4. Attach recent photograph.
5. Pay the required visa fees.
6. Get the permit verified.
7. You will then receive your e-visa.

• Applying through VAC

1. Fill out the Russia visa application form online.
2. Submit the application form and the required documents to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) personally.
3. Pay the required visa fees.
4. Get the permit verified.
5. You will then receive your e-visa.

At the time of filling out these applications, there are a few things that need to be taken care of. The internet browser that is being used to fill out the application form, must have the Javascript enabled - Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc. You also need to have a PDF file reader in the computer, preferably Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is also essential that you print or note the statement number on the top right corner of the page.

If the application does not get accepted within 4 days or if there is no response from the portal, you can then carry on to the offline application process. This application can be made directly to the Embassy of Russian Federation. The process for getting a Russia visa from India offline is as follows:

1. Fill out the online Russia visa application form.
2. Print the application form/fill out in block letters once printed.
3. Attach a recent photograph.
4. Attach all the required supporting documents.
5. Submit the application form to the Embassy of Russian Federation.
6. Pay the required visa fee.
7. You will receive the permit after processing.

The process of filling out the application form is quite sensitive. The details must be filled out with care and the information should match with the details in the travel documents. If there are any kind of issues found in the application form, it may become inadmissible and even get rejected. There may be other reasons for visa rejection as well. In order to minimise the chances of such a rejection, it can be helpful to hire a professional visa agency.

There are certain parameters and criteria that must be met before carrying on with the application process. The parameters will help you understand the requirements of the visa and the process involved. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit

• • • If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Russia.
    • You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements
  • • You must be healthy enough to travel to Russia.
    • You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
  • You must meet the character requirements
    • You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Russia.
    • You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient fund
  • • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Russia.
    • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The documents requirements to get a tourist visa for Russia from India will differ as per the process that is being followed. The differentiated Russia tourist visa requirements are listed below:

• E Visa Requirements

• • • Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
    • Photo as per the photo specifications.
    • Confirmed flight tickets.
    • Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
• Stamp Visa Requirements
  • • Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
    • Completely filled and duly signed application form.
    • Covering Letter.
    • Photo as per the photo specifications.
    • Confirmed flight tickets.
    • Travel Insurance.
    • Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
    • Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement for the last three months, etc.

Note: Scanned copies of the documents must be submitted for e visa. Also, you may be asked to submit some of the documents in Russian language.

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• It must be a JPEG image for E visa.
• Should not be older than 6 months.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white.
• Neutral expressions.
• Hair should not hide eyes.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• Teeth should not be visible.
• Glasses are not permitted, except for prescription glasses.
• Eyes must be clearly visible through glasses.
• Must be taken in clear light.
• There should be no red eyes or flashes messing the image.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required to get Russia tourist visa from India will depend on the application process that is being followed. The e-visa can be issued within 4 days, on the other hand, if applied offline, the processing may take longer, about a week to even more at times. There are certain factors that can affect the processing time. These include the day the application was made, lagging of the server, or even the workload and staff availability in the case of an offline permit.

The fees for the application of a tourist visa for Russia is paid online for an e-visa. It can be done by using any kind of standard electronic payment option. Also, for an offline permit, the fee can be paid using cash or DD as well. If you are applying through a VAC, the fee can be paid to the VAC. The Russia tourist visa fees can differ as per the duration of the stay and validity of the permit. There may be other factors as well, for instance, extra fee is to be paid if you need the visa issued within 24 hours.

When the documents and the application has been submitted, there are a few things that must be noted. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• For E-visa
  • • You can check the status of your permit online and the respective PDF file can be downloaded.
    • There are detailed instructions in the file that provides guidelines for when you have the visa and what is the further procedure.
    • After the submission of the documents and the application form, if you are not reverted back, you can then make an offline application for Russia visa to the Embassy of Russian Federation following the standard procedure.

• For Stamp Visa
  • • The documents provided must be in good condition.
    • If there are any known issues with the application, the Embassy must be known accordingly.
    • If there are any updates to be made in the application, the Embassy must be informed in time.
    • If there is a change of plans, the application can be withdrawn within the processing time.
    • The visa fee is generally not refundable.

The status of your permit can be checked online by visiting the Russia e visa portal. To check the status, you just need to enter your reference number and you can know the processing status of your online tourist visa for Russia. To check the status offline, you can contact the VAC if you have applied through one, or you can contact the Consulate for the same.

You will receive your visa after the processing of the application. The e-visa will emailed to you on the registered email ID. The stamp visa can be collected directly from the Embassy. When you have your tourist visa for Russia, there are a few things that you need to note when you travel to Russia. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• Before you travel

• Print your e-visa for Russia.
• Note what port you are supposed to enter the country through.
• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Russia within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• • • Enter the respective port as per the specification on your permit.
    • Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
    • Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
    • Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
    • Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Russia
  • • Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
    • The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
    • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.