Russia travel guide
Indian ordinary-passport holders need a valid Russian visa or the approved unified e-visa. The e-visa allows one entry and a stay of up to 16 days, including arrival and departure days, and cannot be extended. Entry is permitted within 60 days of issue. Apply only on the official Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal and confirm current rules before you pay.
Facts checked 3 Nov 2026
Visa for Russia
Rules change: confirm on the official site before you apply.
Checked on 3 Nov 2026
Indian passport holders with an ordinary passport can travel to Russia on the approved unified e-visa, or on a regular visa for longer stays. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs lists Russia among countries that offer a unified e-visa facility to Indian ordinary passport holders. The e-visa is for a single visit of up to 16 days, and entry is permitted within 60 days from the date of issue. Rules and fees can change, so this guide sets out what is known and where to confirm the current position.
Yes. Indian citizens need a valid visa or an approved Russian unified e-visa to enter Russia. A regular visa is required for stays longer than the e-visa allows, so check which route fits your dates before you book flights or hotels.
The unified e-visa is an electronic entry permission that you apply for online through the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-visa portal. You receive it electronically and present it with your passport at an authorised Russian border checkpoint. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs lists Russia among the countries offering the facility to Indian ordinary passport holders.
The unified e-visa permits a single entry and a stay of up to 16 days, counting both the arrival day and the departure day. Count both days when you plan the trip. The ordinary unified e-visa cannot be extended, so a longer trip needs a regular visa.
The e-visa is valid for entry within 60 days from the date it is issued. If you try to enter after that window, entry may be refused. Plan your application so that your arrival date falls inside the 60-day window, and keep a copy of the approval with you when you fly.
Expect to need the following documents for the online application:
The Embassy of India also advises carrying confirmed accommodation details, return or onward tickets, sufficient funds for the stay and appropriate medical insurance when you travel.
The official source extract states that a processing fee applies to the e-visa and that it is non-refundable. The exact current amount could not be verified from the available official source, and processing time was also not confirmed. We do not quote a fee or processing time here, because they can change. Check the official portal for the current amount and timing before you pay.
Our Russia packages include visa assistance. Our planners will guide you through the application steps and the document checklist, but the e-visa itself is applied for and paid for by you on the official portal. Flights, the e-visa processing fee, travel insurance and medical insurance are not included in the package price.
Once your e-visa is confirmed, check how to get there in how to reach Russia, when to go in best time to visit Russia, and what to see in places to visit in Russia. Our Moscow St Petersburg 6N package fits the 16-day e-visa limit with room to spare, and you can browse all options on our Russia tour packages page.
Ready-made trips
Moscow 3N · Saint Petersburg 3N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Russia.
Yes. Indian ordinary-passport holders need a valid visa or the approved Russian unified e-visa. The e-visa suits short leisure trips, but a longer stay needs a regular visa. Confirm the rules on the official Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal before you book.
The e-visa allows a single entry and a stay of up to 16 days, including arrival and departure days. It cannot be extended under the ordinary unified e-visa rules, so plan your dates within that limit.
No. The unified e-visa is single-entry. If you plan to leave Russia and return, you need a new visa or another applicable authorisation for the second entry.
You must enter Russia within 60 days from the date the e-visa is issued. After that window, entry may be refused, so apply only when your travel dates fall within the period.
Valid medical insurance covering the Russian Federation for the whole period of stay is listed as a critical requirement. Confirm the policy wording with your insurer before you apply, because the exact requirements could not be verified from the official extract.
A non-refundable processing fee applies, but the exact amount could not be verified from the available official source. Check the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-visa portal for the current fee before you pay. Do not pay through an unofficial intermediary.
Under the ordinary unified e-visa rules, extension is not available. If you need to stay longer than 16 days, you must apply for a regular visa, and you should confirm the process with the Embassy of India or the official Russian channels.
Ordinary sightseeing in Moscow and Saint Petersburg does not normally need a separate tourist permit beyond the visa or e-visa. Some border zones, protected areas and restricted facilities may need additional permission, so check before you plan a visit to those places.
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