How to Obtain a Russian Visa from India – A Guide for Indian Citizens
In this article, I will guide Indian citizens on how to apply for a Russian visa. I have many friends in India and have visited the country four times myself. My friends frequently ask me about the visa process for visiting Russia, which prompted me to compile this information in a blog post.
Do Indian Citizens Need a Visa to Visit Russia?
Yes, Indian citizens must obtain a visa to visit Russia. You can apply for a visa through the embassy or consulate of the Russian Federation located in India. I will provide a list of all addresses at the end of this article. Please read carefully.
How to Obtain a Visa to Russia from India?
To acquire a Russian visa, Indian citizens must receive an invitation from a Russian entity. The type of invitation you require depends on the purpose of your visit. Therefore, first, decide how long you plan to stay in Russia and what activities you will pursue. Below, I will explain how to obtain a Russian visa invitation specifically designed for Indian citizens. I will also recommend a trusted company that has provided invitations for my friends.
Four Main Types of Russian Visa for Indians:
• Tourist Visa (1-30 days): Ideal for short trips, tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends or family.
• Business Visa (30-90 days, up to 5 years): Typically used for conferences, business meetings, and exhibitions. Many Indians obtain this visa for long-term tourism or visiting relatives in Russia.
• Work Visa (1-3 years): Intended for individuals employed in Russian companies or those seeking permanent residence.
• Private Visa (30-90 days): Issued for official visits to friends or family in Russia who have sent an invitation. However, this option is not recommended; a tourist visa is more practical and cost-effective.
Russian Visa Fees for Indians
The cost of a Russian visa for Indian citizens varies depending on the type of visa, its duration, and the number of entries. I will detail the visa fees for each type below, so keep reading.
How to Obtain a Russian Tourist Visa from India
Indian citizens can apply for a tourist visa at the Russian consulates located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. I will list all consulate addresses at the end of this page.
Key Points About the Russian Tourist Visa for Indian Citizens
If you plan to visit Russia for tourism or leisure, you will need to obtain a tourist visa. Typically, the Russian consulate grants Indian citizens a tourist visa for the entire length of their stay, but not exceeding 30 days.
Requirements for a Russian Tourist Visa for Indian Citizens:
- A Valid Passport: Ensure that your passport remains valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from Russia. It should also have at least 2 blank pages.
- A Copy of Your Passport: Prepare printed copies of all the pages containing biometric data.
- An Official Tourist Invitation Letter: This crucial document is often referred to as a tourist voucher. I will explain how to obtain one. A printout is sufficient; the original letter is not required. You can acquire your invitation here.
- A Recent Photograph: A passport-sized photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm) with a white background.
- A Printout of Your Russian Visa Application Form: Submit your application form here ahead of your appointment. The list of visa application centers and consulates is provided at the end of this article.
- A Printout of Your Flight Details: While not mandatory, having a printout of your flight ticket can be beneficial. It’s advisable to bring it along, as the visa application center may request to see it. You can book flights here.
- Pay the Visa Fee: The consular fee is 2130 INR, with an additional service charge of 1500 INR according to VFS Global.
What is a Tourist Invitation Letter (Travel Voucher) and Why Do You Need It?
A tourist invitation is a formal agreement between you and a Russian travel company. Only registered travel agencies listed in the Unified Register of Tour Operators can issue these invitations. Each invitation contains a unique reference number and includes a tourist voucher along with confirmation of tourist reception.
When applying for a Russian visa in India, you typically only need to submit a copy of this tourist invitation. In my experience, no consulate has ever asked for the original document.
How to Verify the Invitation:
I want to show you an example of what a tourist invitation might look like, but please note that the format may vary by the issuing agency.
A valid tourist invitation should include the following information:
• Reference number and name of the issuing travel company
• Your name and passport details
• Purpose of the trip (tourism in this case)
• Dates of travel (double-check this!)
• Type of visa (for Indians, it may only allow for a single entry)
• Cities planned for visit (this does not need to align perfectly with your actual itinerary)
• Signature of the chief of the inviting travel agency
How to Obtain a Tourist Invitation to Russia for Indian Citizens
I highly recommend using this company, whose widget is displayed below. They have provided tourist invitations for all my Indian friends and are very reliable.
What Will a Tourist Visa Cost You?
The cost of a tourist invitation for Indians is 49 USD. The fees at the consulate for a Russian tourist visa for Indian citizens are 2130 INR (consular fee) and 1500 INR (service charge). Additionally, consider the costs for required printouts and photographs.
Overall, the total expense for a Russian tourist visa for Indians will be approximately 7500 INR.
You will also need to book flights to Russia. Check your flights here. It is advisable to reserve accommodation as well, and I recommend using booking.com or hotelscombined.com for that purpose.
How to Obtain a Business Visa for Russia from India
Indian citizens can acquire a business visa at Russian consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. A complete list of these consulates will be provided at the end of this article.
Russian Business Visa for Indian Citizens
If you plan to travel to Russia for business or if you need to stay longer than 30 days, apply for a business visa. However, if your trip is brief, consider a tourist visa, as it is cheaper and faster. To obtain a Russian business visa, you will need a business invitation.
Requirements for a Russian Business Visa for Indian Citizens:
- A Valid Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your expected return from Russia and contains at least 2 blank pages.
- A Copy of Your Passport: Print copies of all pages with biometric data.
- An Official Business Invitation Letter: This letter is essential for obtaining the visa. I recommend an eFMS type of invitation, which is electronic and requires just a printout.
- A Recent Photograph: A passport photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm) with a white background.
- A Printout of Your Russian Visa Application Form: Complete your application here ahead of your appointment. The list of visa application centers and consulates will be shared at the end of this article.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Check with the local visa center for the required fee.
What is a Business Invitation Letter to Russia and Why Do You Need It?
This invitation is issued by the Russian migration office (FMS). Once a legal Russian company applies for an invitation on your behalf, the migration office will check your history for any violations during prior visits. If everything is satisfactory, they will issue an invitation that the sponsoring company can send to you via email.
You can ask your contacts in Russia to obtain such an invitation for you or purchase it online from a Russian company specializing in business invitations for Indian citizens.
I recommend buying it, as this saves you and your partners time and avoids any stress (trust me, dealing with migration offices can be quite challenging).
If you don’t have business partners in Russia and plan to stay longer than 30 days, it’s advisable to buy the invitation online.
How to Obtain a Business Invitation to Russia for Indian Citizens
You can apply for a Russian Business invitation through the same company that has assisted all my friends: here.
An eFMS business invitation is an electronic document issued by the FMS. You will receive one copy via email, and another will be sent directly to the relevant consulate in India for your business visa application.
Russian Work Visa for Indian Citizens
If you intend to work in Russia on an official employment contract, you must obtain a work permit visa. Prior to issuing a work visa, the employer must secure a work permit or relevant documentation granting you the right to work in Russia. Initially, a work visa is issued for 90 days, after which the employer must extend it at an FMS office.
Requirements for a Russian Work Visa for Indian Citizens:
- A Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay in Russia and contains at least 2 blank pages.
- A Copy of Your Passport: Print copies of all pages with biometric data.
- An Official Work Invitation Letter: This is required to obtain your visa.
- A Visa Directive: Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
- An HIV Test: Complete this test no later than 3 months before applying. The results must include your passport information.
- A Recent Photograph: Include a passport-sized photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm) with a white background.
- A Printout of Your Russian Visa Application Form: Submit your application here prior to your appointment. A list of visa application centers and consulates can be found at the end of this article.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Consult the visa center for fee details.
Obtaining a Work Invitation to Russia for Indian Citizens
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any companies that sell work invitations, as these must be issued by the specific organization offering you employment, and they are not typically for sale.
If you’re seeking employment in Russia, I suggest traveling on a tourist visa first until you find a job.
You can search for job opportunities in Russia here, and arrange for a tourist invitation here.
Private (Guest) Visa to Russia for Indian Citizens
A private visa is issued for visits to relatives or friends living in Russia. To arrange a private visit, you must obtain a private visa invitation. Your friends or relatives must file an application with the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to send you an invitation.
Caution: I do not recommend pursuing a private visa! My sister-in-law’s parents (from Bulgaria) encountered significant delays and complications. Therefore, I advise opting for a tourist visa, which is much quicker and easier.
Requirements for a Russian Private Visa for Indian Citizens:
- A Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months following your planned stay in Russia and contains at least 2 blank pages.
- A Copy of Your Passport: Prepare printed copies of all pages containing biometric data.
- An Official Private Invitation Letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs: A printed copy is generally sufficient.
- A Request Letter from a Russian Citizen: This letter should be addressed to the Russian consulate in India, requesting approval for your entry.
- A Recent Photograph: A passport photograph (3.5cm x 4.5cm) with a white background.
- A Printout of Your Russian Visa Application Form: Complete your application here ahead of your appointment. A list of visa application centers and consulates is located at the end of this article.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Required fees will apply.
Obtaining a Private Invitation to Russia for Indian Citizens
If you have friends or family in Russia, they can provide an invitation for you. However, buying such an invitation online is not advised (and why would you, when you can obtain an official tourist invitation?).
Private invitations can be complex and time-consuming (apologies for the straightforward language). The entire process can take over a month to complete, causing unnecessary stress for your friends and family. I highly recommend applying for a tourist invitation, which can be obtained quickly via email (usually within 24 hours!).
Consulates of Russia in India
The following consular offices issue Russian visas for Indian citizens:
Here are the current addresses of Russian embassies in India:
• Embassy of the Russian Federation in India (New Delhi)
Address: 110021, Chanakya Puri, Shanti Path, New Delhi, 110021, India
Phone: +9111 2611-05-60, 2467-85-64
E-mail: indconru@del2.vsnl.net.in, indconru@gmail.com, emb@rusembassy.in
Website: rusembassy.in
Reception hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – from 09.00 to 14.00
• Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai
Address: 400036, Jagmohandas Marg, Nepean Sea Rd, Mumbai, 400036, India
Phone: +9122 2363-36-27, 2363-36-28
E-mail: consul@mtnl.net.in
Website: www.russiaconsulmumbai.mid.ru
Reception hours: Daily from 08.00 to 13.00; visa section: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – from 09.00 to 13.00
• Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata
Address: 700027, Raja Santosh Road, Alipore, Kolkata, 700027, India
Phone: +9133 2479-70-06
E-mail: rus.consul.kolkata@gmail.com
Website: www.kolkata.mid.ru
Reception hours: Monday to Friday – from 10.00 to 13.00
• Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Chennai
Address: 600004, Santhome High Road, Chennai, 600004, India
Phone: +9144 2498-23-20, 2498-23-30
E-mail: madrasrus@vsnl.net
Website: www.chennai.mid.ru
Reception hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – from 09.30 to 12.30
I wish you the best of luck with obtaining your Russian visa!
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below!
For those planning their visit, check out my article about the best times to visit Russia.
