Russia Visa for Indians

About the Russian Federation Visa

A Russian visa grants entry into the vast and diverse landscapes and cultural centres of the world's largest country. You must identify the right visa type and go through the application process. Check out these key facts about Russia before deciding on this country as your next destination.

Features of Russia Visa

Here are some unique features of the Russian Federation visa from India.

• E-visa: You can get a unified e-visa from India if you are visiting the Russian Federation for tourism, business, sports, or other events, as well as personal reasons. This is a single-entry visa.
• HIV Certificate: A negative HIV test result is required for a study, work, and private visa.

Documents Required for a Russian Tourist Visa

During the Russian Federation visa application process, you must pay meticulous attention to the required documents. Here's a glimpse into the required papers for various visa types. Following are the documents necessary for your Russian tourism visa process:

Invitation from Tour Operator/Hotel Booking at Registered Hotels

• An official invitation from a Russian tour operator registered in the Unified Federal Register or
• A confirmation of hotel or other accommodation booking at hotels, beaches, and ski trails, approved by the Government.
• The document should include Arrival and departure dates, the number of entries and the purpose of the visit (tourism), Itinerary and accommodation details, and a list of paid tourist services (transport, accommodation, excursions, etc.).

Passport

• Original passport with minimum 2 empty pages
• Validity of 6 months from the visa expiry.
• A high-quality copy of the pages containing the photo and address.

Visa Application

• Completed Russian visa application form
• Colour photograph complying with Russian Federation visa photo requirements

Photos

• Taken within the past 6 months before the submission date.
• 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm in size
• Without a dark outline, stains, or creases.
• The image should be in natural colours, with a light, uncluttered background, without flash or shadows.
• The photo should show the full face and partial shoulders, with the face measuring 70-80% of the photograph.

Documents required for Study Visa

For Indians planning to pursue education in Russia, the following documents are required:

Invitation

• An invitation by the Internal Affairs Ministry

Directive

• A direction issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue your visa

Written Request

A written request from the host organisation on an official letterhead. It should include:

• The name of the student, birth date, gender, citizenship, passport number and purpose of the trip, number of entries, and names and dates of birth of minor children travelling with the invited person.
• Name of the inviting university, its legal and real addresses.
• Name and position of the authorised person who signed the invitation, along with their contact number.

HIV Certificate

A machine-generated HIV certificate with negative test results, printed on the clinic's letterhead, containing:

• Full name, passport number, date of birth, country of residence.
• Details of the lab tests conducted, including the date of sample collection and negative results.
• Full name, address, and telephone number of the clinic, along with the signature of the clinic specialist.
• Confirmation of testing for HIV-I, HIV-II antibodies, and p24 antigen.
• The validity of the HIV test certificate is 12 months from the date of issue.
• Handwritten certificates are not accepted.
• An HIV certificate is also required for transferring a study visa to a new passport.

Documents Required for a Russian Business Visa

If visiting Russia for business purposes, following documents must be provided:

Invitation

• An invitation to visit the country issued by the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry.

Directive

• A direction to issue your visa from the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia.

Request from your host organization

On an official letterhead, include:

• Name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number and type, dates and purpose of the trip
• Number of entries and names and dates of birth of minor children travelling with the invited person
• Full name of the organisation who has invited you with its legal and actual addresses, name, surname, and position of the authorised person who signed the invitation, along with their contact number.

Additional Documents for Crew Members

• Guarantee letter from shipping agents in the Russian Federation
• Signed seaman's contract (original and a copy) mentioning the applicant's rank, passport information, CDC code, duration, etc.
• Original employment letter (and a copy) from a shipping company in India
• Original and copy of the seaman's certificate
• Flight tickets

Documents Required for a Private Russian Visa

For a private visa to visit the Russian Federation, you must provide documents based on the reason of your visit:

Documents for a Russian Federation Transit Visa

• Plane tickets for arriving and leaving the Russian Federation
• Russian visa
• Residence permit
• Proof of right to enter the country without a visa

Documents for a Russian Work Visa

• Invitation from Ministry of Internal Affairs and directive from the Foreign Affairs ministry.
• A test with negative results.

Russian Federation Visa Types

There are various Russia visa types for accommodating different travel purposes. Go through the summary of Russian Federation visa types and choose the one that best suits your purpose.

Who can Apply for a Russia Visa?

According to Russian Federation visa requirements, people meeting the following criteria can apply for a visa:

• Indian citizens travelling to the Russian Federation for a valid travel purpose. It could be education, work, tourism, medical treatment, etc.
• Indian citizens having a valid Indian passport which is valid for 6 months after the expiry of the desired visa.
• Indians who can provide the necessary documentation for their visa type. For example, a negative HIV test for a student, business, private, or work visa.

How to Apply for a Russian Federation Visa?

The method for applying for a Russian Federation visa depends on the visa type. You can get a unified e-visa online for specified purposes. For other visa types, you can apply via post or by visiting the visa application centres.

Here are the steps for how to apply for a Russian Federation visa (unified e-visa) online

Step 1: Visit the electronic visa portal

Step 2: Fill up the application online with your personal details and upload documents wherever required

Step 3: Pay the visa fees as per Russian Federation visa requirements

Step 4: Submit the application

For other types of visas, you can apply through a visa application centre or through the embassy directly. Here's a step-wise guide on the process:

Step 1: Visit the website of the authorised Russian visa centre. Fill up the form and book an appointment at the nearest Centre.

Step 2: Alternatively, book an appointment directly at the embassy of the Russian Federation in India through their web portal

Step 3: Bring your documents and application form with you for the Russian visa appointment

Step 4: Pay the required visa fees

Step 4: Wait until the visa application is processed successfully.

Russian Federation Visa Fees

Here's a guide to the Russia visa fees that you must pay with your application:

*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations

How to Check Russian Federation Visa Status?

If you have applied for a unified electronic visa, you can check your Russian visa status using the following steps.

• Visit the official visa portal
• Click on 'Check e-visa status' at the bottom.
• Enter your application ID and verification code.
• Submit the form.

If you have applied through a visa centre, use the following steps.

• Visit the visa centre website
• Select your country
• Click on the 'Track Your Application' option
• Enter the application number and birth date
• Submit to view your Russia visa status