India Visa RequirementsFor Russia passport holders
Russian citizens do not need to visit an embassy to travel to India. India offers an e-Visa system that allows Russians to apply entirely online at the official portal indianvisaonline.gov.in. The most practical option for most travelers is the 1-year tourist e-Visa at $40, which allows multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days per visit. A cheaper 30-day double-entry option is available for $25 for shorter trips.
Russia passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to India.
Apply exclusively at the official Indian government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Be warned: dozens of fake lookalike sites exist that charge inflated fees and may steal your data. The official site charges $25 for the 30-day double-entry e-Visa or $40 for the 1-year multiple-entry e-Visa. The application takes around 15 to 20 minutes to complete online. You will need to upload a recent passport-style digital photo and the biographical page of your passport. Processing typically takes 1 to 4 business days, though approvals are often faster. You will receive the e-Visa by email as a PDF. Print it and carry it with you, as immigration officers at Indian airports may ask to see it. The e-Visa is valid at designated international airports and seaports but not at all land border crossings.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Completed e-Visa online application
Fill out the application form at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The form covers personal details, travel plans, and background questions. Double-check all entries match your passport exactly before submitting.
Valid Russian passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from India and have a minimum of 2 blank pages. Scan or photograph the biographical data page clearly for upload.
Digital passport-style photo
Recent color photo with white background, 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), face occupying 70 to 80 percent of the frame. JPEG format, under 1 MB. No glasses, hats, or heavy shadows.
Return or onward ticket
Proof of onward travel out of India. A confirmed return flight booking is standard. Immigration officers at Indian airports may ask to see this at the border.
Debit or credit card for e-Visa fee
Payment of $25 (30-day) or $40 (1-year) at the time of online application. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused. Most international debit and credit cards are accepted on the portal.
Required at Entry
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking confirmation, a letter of invitation from a host in India, or an Airbnb reservation. Indian immigration may ask for this at entry. Having it ready avoids delays at the airport.
Current Travel Situation
Russia to India: What You Need to Know
India and Russia maintain strong bilateral relations and India did not join Western sanctions after 2022, making India one of the most welcoming destinations for Russian passport holders in the current geopolitical climate. Direct flights between Russia and India continue to operate, primarily by Aeroflot from Moscow. Goa has long had one of the largest Russian tourist and expat communities in all of Asia, and Russians are among the top visitor nationalities to India. The political relationship between the two countries has strengthened significantly in recent years, and Indian authorities have no restrictions on Russian travelers.
How to Get There
Aeroflot operates direct flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Delhi Indira Gandhi International (DEL) and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (BOM). These routes have continued operating throughout the post-2022 period as India remained a neutral partner. Flight time is approximately 6 to 7 hours nonstop. Connecting options via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (flydubai, Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways via indirect booking), and Abu Dhabi (Air Arabia) are also available for competitive fares. Aeroflot SVO-DEL and SVO-BOM are the simplest and most direct choices.
Money & Banking
Russian Visa and Mastercard cards do not function in India because those networks suspended Russian-issued cards globally. India has a historical payment partnership with Russia's Mir card through RuPay, but as of early 2026 Mir card acceptance has become highly inconsistent and unreliable. Treat Mir cards as unlikely to work and plan accordingly. UnionPay acceptance in India is also limited. The most reliable approach is to bring US dollars or euros in cash and exchange them at the airport or at official exchange bureaus (avoid street changers). Currency exchange is straightforward in major tourist areas including Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur. ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist zones but may decline foreign cards. Indian Rupees (INR) cannot be imported or exported in large quantities, so exchange only what you need at a time.
Practical Tips
Goa is the most popular destination for Russian tourists and has a large Russian-speaking community, Russian-language menus, and Russian-owned businesses. Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur), the Taj Mahal in Agra, Kerala backwaters, and the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh are all excellent for first-time visitors. India has a visa rule that requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay and to have at least 2 blank pages. The 90-day stay limit per visit on the 1-year and 5-year e-Visas resets on each entry. Travel insurance is not legally required for the e-Visa but is strongly recommended given healthcare costs for foreigners. The climate varies greatly by region and season: avoid Goa and coastal areas during monsoon season (June through September) if you prefer beach weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa to visit India?
Yes, Russian citizens require a visa for India. However, Russians can obtain an e-Visa entirely online without visiting an embassy. The India e-Visa is available in three durations: 30-day double-entry ($25), 1-year multiple-entry ($40), and 5-year multiple-entry (~$80). The 1-year option is the most popular choice for most travelers. Applications are submitted at indianvisaonline.gov.in and approved within 1 to 4 business days.
How do I apply for an India e-Visa from Russia?
Apply online at the official Indian government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Do not use third-party sites, as many fake lookalike portals exist that charge inflated fees. You will need your Russian passport, a digital passport photo, a return ticket, and a payment card. The application takes 15 to 20 minutes. After approval (typically 1 to 4 business days), you receive the e-Visa by email. Print it and carry it to the airport alongside your passport.
Are there direct flights from Russia to India?
Yes. Aeroflot operates direct nonstop flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) to New Delhi Indira Gandhi International (DEL) and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (BOM). These routes have continued operating since 2022 as India maintained its trade and travel relationship with Russia. Flight time is approximately 6 to 7 hours. Connecting options via Istanbul, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are also available and can sometimes offer lower fares.
Do Russian bank cards work in India? Can I use my Mir card?
Russian Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in India because both card networks suspended Russian-issued cards globally. Mir cards have a partial partnership with India's RuPay network, and some Indian banks process Mir card transactions, but acceptance is inconsistent and unreliable as of 2025. The safest strategy is to bring US dollars or euros in cash and exchange them at official bureaux de change at airports or in tourist areas. ATMs are widely available in cities like Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur but results with foreign cards vary.
What is Goa like for Russian tourists?
Goa is one of the most popular destinations in the world for Russian travelers and has a substantial permanent Russian community. Many restaurants in North Goa display menus in Russian, and Russian-owned businesses, yoga centers, and rental agencies are common. The beaches of North Goa (Baga, Calangute, Anjuna, Morjim) are particularly popular with Russians. The best time to visit Goa is from November through March when the weather is dry and temperatures are pleasant. The monsoon season (June through September) brings heavy rain and many beach businesses close.
How long can Russian citizens stay in India on an e-Visa?
It depends on which e-Visa tier you choose. The 30-day double-entry e-Visa allows a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. The 1-year multiple-entry e-Visa and the 5-year multiple-entry e-Visa both allow stays of up to 90 days per visit, with unlimited entries during the visa validity period. The 90-day per-visit limit resets with each new entry into India. Note that the e-Visa cannot be extended inside India; if you need more time, you must exit and re-enter.