Getting a visa to travel to India has always been a challenge for Russian citizens. There are a few problems that cause the process to take longer than expected.
For one, if you are a Russian citizen, you cannot apply for a visa online. Instead, you need to go through a consulate in order to get your visa stamped on arrival. In most cases, Russian citizens need to go through multiple consulates before getting their Indian visa from Russia. And even then, they can only get their visas approved after completing multiple forms.
How to get an Indian Visa From Russia
While getting a visa from the Indian consulate can be a long process, you can get it done without having to spend too much time or money. In fact, we found a few ways to get a visa from the Indian consulate in Russia.
Visit the Indian Consulate in Moscow
The first step to getting your Indian visa from Russia is visiting the Indian consulate in Moscow. This is a mandatory step that all Russian citizens need to take in order to get their visa approved. The consulate can be located in any city in Moscow, but we suggest you visit the one closest to your place of residence.
If you live in Moscow, the consulate can be found near the following locations:
- Vladimirsky Prospekt;
- Kosmodromovsky Prospect;
- Krasnoprudovskoe Shosse;
- Derevnyanskaya Street;
- Oktyabrskaya Street.
When you arrive at the consulate, make sure you have all the required documents ready. In most cases, you need to bring proof of identity, your passport, an invitation letter, the application form, and your passport photo.
Remember that the consulate can request additional information from you, so make sure you have everything in order before you go to the consulate. Once you arrive at the consulate, you can expect the process to take between 15 minutes to an hour.
Fill out the Application Form
Once you arrive at the consulate, you will be greeted by a representative who will ask you to fill out a visa application form. Fill out the form as quickly as you can, because you will need to pay a processing fee for every minute you are late.
Pay the Processing Fee
Once you have filled out the form, you will need to pay a processing fee. You will be given two options.
- If you are paying for a visa for yourself, you will need to pay the processing fee via bank transfer.
- If you are paying for a visa for your company, you will need to pay the processing fee in cash.
Wait For Your Visa
Once you have paid the processing fee, you will need to wait until your visa is ready. This is the same process you would have to follow if you were applying for a visa through a visa center.
Get Your Visa Stamped
Although, it’s a long process to get an Indian visa for Russian citizens. Once your visa is ready, you will need to get it stamped on arrival. This can take anywhere between one to three days. Make sure you remember to bring your passport and your visa, as well as the original invitation letter you received when you applied for the visa. And remember that this is the only way you can get a visa to travel to India.
Once you have completed the visa process, you can proceed with your trip.
Departure From Russia
The final step is to return to Russia. You can either depart from Moscow or St. Peters-burg. We suggest you depart from Moscow if you can. You will have to pass through customs to leave Russia.
Get a Return Ticket
If you are planning to come back to Russia, make sure you get a return ticket. This is mandatory, and you will not be allowed to fly to another country without a return ticket. However, there are certain countries that you can enter without a return ticket. But in most cases, you will have to pay a departure tax.