The largest country in the world, Russia attracts tourists and travellers across the year for multiple purposes. In addition, it is known for offering numerous opportunities in terms of education and employment, which increases its popularity among international visitors. If you plan to visit Russia, you will require a visa. Moreover, as of 2022, it is mandatory to purchase a travel insurance policy to visit Russia.

Are you curious to know the way to get a visa for Russia? Then, keep reading this article for a comprehensive guide.

There is no provision for e-visa for Indians and any other international travellers intending to visit Russia now. Previously a unified electronic visa allowed travellers to visit the entire country. In addition, they could stay in any 16 Russian oblasts for any purpose.

If you plan to learn more about Russian visas, you should know about the different types of visas available. However, first, you need to choose a suitable visa type keeping your purpose of visit in mind.

• Diplomatic Visa: This type of visa is provided to foreigners holding diplomatic passports. Such people usually have prestigious government positions, such as heads of government, heads of state, members of an official delegation etc.
• Service Visa: You can get this visa if you hold a service (consular, official, special) passport. Such travellers again belong to prestigious positions, including members of official delegations, personnel of diplomatic missions, etc. They use this visa to visit Russia to complete a specific service.
• Transit Visa: This type of visa is for those planning to visit another country while staying in Russia for transit. These people have a different destination country and must pass through Russia to reach there. This type of visa is valid for ten days for road or rail travellers and only three days for air travellers.
• Exit Visa: If your visa expires by the time you decide to return, you will have to apply for an exit visa in Russia. You will not be able to leave the country without a valid visa.
• Private Visa: This kind of visa is granted to people who are visiting their family members or friends in Russia. The host should be a legal resident or citizen of Russia who applies to invite his/her family for a visit. Its validity depends on the kind of documentation produced.
• Tourist Visa: As the name suggests, this visa is for you if you are visiting Russia as a tourist to enjoy a holiday. It allows you to enter Russia for tourism and stay here for about 30 days. It can be extended based on provided documents or purpose.
• Business Visa: This type of visa is granted to foreigners who visit Russia for business purposes. It allows you to Russia to complete your business within 30 days, which can be extended based on the purpose of business. Therefore, it is the best type of visa if you are unaware of your exact itineraries.
• Student Visa: This is the type of visa that foreigners get to study in Russia. Such visas can be single, double or multiple entries. These are usually valid for 90 days, but the Ministry of Interior can extend their validity for the duration of the course that you applied for, which can be up to a year.
• Work Visa: The Russian work visa allows foreigners to enter Russia with employment here to work. While it is usually valid for about 90 days, the Russian Ministry of Interior can extend it further. You will have to prove your employment with proper documents.

Now, when it comes to the requirements for a Russian visa, it is essential to know the eligibility criteria. So here are the general conditions you must fulfil to get a visa.

• Applicants should be able to produce all the documents and fees.

• Individuals must show proof of accommodation; this can be a hotel booking or invitation from a host

• They need to prove sufficient funds while staying in Russia.
• Additionally, they need to prove the valid purpose of the visit.
• Applicants must produce return tickets or any motive to return after the speculated stay.

Knowing the required documents is essential if you are planning to get all the information regarding a Russian visa. Furthermore, these are mandatory if you are applying for a visa. Therefore, keep the following documents handy during the application process.

• Completed visa application form
• Copy of passport valid for at least six months
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Proof of residence (Aadhaar card / Voter ID)
• Bank statements to prove financial stability
• Travel health insurance for Russia
• Invitation or employment letter
• Copy of tickets

If you apply for a single entry tourist visa, you must pay about Rs. 8,010. On the other hand, if it is a double or multiple entry visa application, the charge will stay within Rs. 6,394 and Rs. 8,288, respectively. 

Disclaimer: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules, the country in which you apply, the local currency and currency exchange rates.

Now that you know all about the policies of a Russian visa, you must be curious to know how to apply for it. The following steps to guide you regarding the application process by post.

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Russian Visa Centre. From this page, select your home country.

Step 2: Select the type of visa you need to apply for from this page. It will redirect to an overview of this type of visa.

Step 3: Select "Apply by post" from the two options. Start filling the form by clicking on “Fill online application form”.

Step 4: Gather the documents. Pay the application fees with a debit or credit card.

Step 5: Send your form and documents by post or courier to the Russian Visa Centre. Wait for the authorities to revert.

If you plan to submit your application in person, you can follow the below steps. Nevertheless, the preliminary process starts online and then ends physically by visiting the centre.

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Russian Visa Centre. From this page, select your home country.

Step 2: Select the type of visa you need to apply for from this page. It will redirect to an overview of this type of visa.

Step 3: Select "Apply in person" from the two options. Start filling the form by clicking on "Fill online form".

Step 4: Gather all the documents and application fees. Book an appointment with your nearest visa application centre by clicking on "Visit the application centre".

Step 5: Visit the centre and submit the form with documents and fees. Wait for the authorities to send your visa via courier.

The processing time for a Russian Visa takes up to six weeks at maximum. However, generally, it does not take more than 4-10 days. It is therefore advisable to submit the application keeping this time in mind.

Travel health insurance is a much-required document for a visa application to Russia. It is essential when you are visiting a foreign country. Life is unpredictable, and it can be challenging to find help overseas in case of any emergencies. Having health and travel insurance in Russia can benefit the following areas.

• Journey Coverage: Travel insurance is adequate for providing all-round protection against inconvenience and problems while travelling across Russia. These problems include trip delays, cancelled flights or hotel bookings.
• Baggage Coverage: There are chances of losing your luggage and essential belongings when travelling a long distance or visiting a foreign country. Losing a passport and other necessary documents can end up causing significant inconvenience. Here, travel insurance will provide the proper assistance and compensate for any loss.
• Medical Coverage: Medical emergencies can occur irrespective of place and time. There are also possibilities of accidental damages. Finding the proper assistance in a foreign country without travel insurance can be challenging. Such insurance will provide financial support for such problems.

Hopefully, now you better understand getting a visa for Russia. It is essential to get a visa by following the rules of application. As there is no visa on arrival, you should apply in advance, keeping your visit date in mind. You should find the proper documents based on the visa you are applying for and keep them handy while applying.