Indian eVisa for Russian Citizens: Short Guide to Apply

India has become a major destination not just for people who love traveling but also for people seeking great business opportunities. Russia is one of the 171 countries in the world that can visit India more easily with the help of an Indian eVisa.

The Indian eVisa was launched in 2024 by the Indian government to make traveling easier for international visitors. As the complete application process for an Indian eVisa is done online, it takes away the hassle of going to an embassy or putting in other such extra efforts. 

If you are a Russian citizen who needs to visit India for a short duration, then you can easily apply for eVisa India from your home. Within days, you will have the approval in your email inbox.  

Now that you’re aware of how an online Indian visa for Russian citizens is a great option for you, let’s have a look at all the requirements for the electronic visa.

Do All Russian Citizens Who Want to Visit India Need an Indian eVisa from Russia?

Any Russian citizen who wants to visit India needs a type of Indian visa to enter the country. But for several specific reasons, you can opt to apply for an online Indian visa for Russian citizens rather than a standard eVisa.

If your purpose for visiting India is to travel around (tourism), do business or attend business training, get medical treatment, travel with a patient who is getting medical treatment, or need to transit India to visit another country, you can apply for an Indian eVisa.

If you need a visa for any other traveling reasons, then you’ll have to apply for a standard Indian visa. According to the reasons just mentioned above, India has five different types of eVisas available.

Indian eVisa from Russia: 5 Categories of Indian eVisas

Tourist eVisa

If you want to travel to India to explore the country’s culture, historical sites, and cuisine, you need to apply for India tourist visa. You can also apply for this category if you plan to live with your family or friends, want to do a short course or volunteer somewhere for a month.

With three different validities available, this India visitor visa offers you flexibility over how long you want to spend your time in India. You can choose between a 30-day validity visa, a 12-month validity visa, or even a five-year validity. 

According to the validity you choose, there will be a specific number of days available to you to spend in India. You can read more about the Indian tourist visa to be sure you don’t miss out on any important information.

Business eVisa

If you’re a Russian citizen who wants to do business with a company in India or you have to travel to the country to attend a specific meeting, conference, event, or such activities, then you need to apply for an India business visa. This eVisa is valid for one full year, but you can stay in the country for 180 days during that time. Overstaying an Indian eVisa is not allowed.

Medical eVisa

If you have a health condition and want to get medical treatment/care in India, then you need to apply for a medical India visitor visa.  This visa has 60 days of validity within which you can enter the country three times maximum.

Medical Attendant eVisa

Every patient who is traveling to India with a medical eVisa is allowed to have two medical attendants with them. If you are one of the medical attendants of a patient traveling to India, you need to apply for Indian visa for medical attendants. This eVisa is applicable for 60 days within which you have permission to enter India three times in total.

Transit eVisa

You need to apply for Indian visa for transit if you are just passing through India to get to another destination and want to quickly visit a few places before you move on to the next destination. Remember that you only need to apply for this eVisa if you are going to leave your airport or seaport; otherwise, there is no need for any such application.

It’s highly important that you apply for the right Indian eVisa category; otherwise, your application will be rejected.

India Visa Requirements: Documents You Must Have

Passport

You have to have a valid Russian passport with you. You need to ensure that your passport is applicable for no less than six months from the day you want to enter India. There should be two unused pages in this passport. Remember that you cannot apply for an Indian eVisa with a diplomatic passport; you must have a regular or ordinary passport.

Photograph

A photograph is a critical part of your Indian visa application. There are several requirements related to photographs you’ll need to fulfill to make sure your application is approved. Be sure to read all of these requirements carefully.

Email ID

When you apply for India eVisa, you will have to fill in your email ID. This is an extremely important step because all the information regarding your application will be sent to you at this email address. Make sure that you have access to this email ID at all times to avoid any delays or rejection of your application.

Credit/Debit Card

You also need to pay an Indian visa fee online. Depending on the website that you use, you can use a debit/credit card or any other available payment mode.

Return Ticket

You should have a return ticket to either Russia or a ticket to some other country, which will serve as proof that you do not intend to overstay your Indian eVisa limit.

Financial Sufficiency

It’s also important that you have some kind of document to show that you have enough money with you to fund your stay in India. You can use the last three statements of your bank account as the document for financial sufficiency.

Other Documents You Must Have According to the eVisa Category

• When you apply for a medical eVisa, you need a letter from the hospital where you are getting your treatment.
• When you apply for a business eVisa, you need a letter as well as a business card from the company that you’re doing business with.
• When you apply for a tourist eVisa and plan to stay with a family member or your friends, you need a letter of invitation from them.

Steps to Apply for India eVisa

Once you have all the above documents ready with you, filling the Indian visa application form will take you no time. You just have to follow the four steps given below.

• Go to the Indian visa online application website—it can be an official website or a dependable one.
• Fill the form carefully. Make sure there are no errors because that can lead to delay or rejection of your application.
• Pay theVisa fee. Remember this is non-refundable in case your application gets declined.
• Submit your online Indian visa form once you’re sure everything is correct.

Processing Time for an Indian Visa Application Form

Usually, the processing time for an Indian visa application form is 3 to 4 business days. However, this time can be stretched if there are errors found in your form. It’s a good idea to fill the form about seven days before you want to enter India so that there is enough time to correct errors or refill the form if needed.

Other Important Information You Must Know

• Do not overstay your eVisa limit under any circumstance. It can lead to a serious fine, or you can even be banned from entering India.
• You cannot enter/enroll in any university degree course or get employment in India with a visa. For that, you need a regular visa.
• You cannot enter a military or cantonment area within an Indian eVisa. You must get permission for this first.
• Remember to carry a printout of your approval letter, as you’ll have to show your India visa on arrival. Although you can keep a soft copy as well, there are greater chances of it getting lost in the device.

Now you are ready to apply for your Indian eVisa from Russia. In case you have any more queries, you can visit the Indian Visa online helpdesk.