Russia makes travel easy for Indian passport holders with e-visas from August 1

If Russia has been on your travel list for a while, then there is some good news for travellers of 49 countries including India. Russia is introducing electronic visa or e-visa for eligible nationalities to travel to the country for various purposes including tourism, business, visiting family or friends and more. 

Come August 1, Moscow's iconic Red Square, Kaza Kremlin, St Issac's Cathedral will all be within arm's reach. Travellers will be able to apply for an e-visa from August 1. 

What does it mean for Indians? 

• Indian passport holders are also eligible to travel for tourism or business purposes using the e-visa. 
• An e-visa does away with the lengthy and cumbersome process of applying for a visa in person through a Russian embassy.
• It will reportedly take just four working days to process an application. The visa fee is estimated to be around $40 or Rs 3,300, among the most cost-effective. 

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How long is a visa valid for?

• According to reports, an e-visa will be valid for 60 days on a single entry. Travellers can only stay up to 16 days at a time in Russia. 
• Indians can also get a 6-month-long tourist visa approved on the basis of their hotel reservation. 
• Access to Russia has also been made easier for Indian travellers by direct flights from India to major Russian cities. 

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Russia's e-visa plan for "friendly countries" has been in the making for a while.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war with Ukraine and Western sanctions disrupted the plans and Russia is only now opening up to promote tourism in the country. A Russian e-visa will also give applicants access to the whole country unlike earlier where certain regions required separate e-vsias. 

Other than India, travellers from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, North Korea, Iran, Kuwait, and several European countries are also eligible for an e-visa. Even Schengen visa holders can apply for an e-visa to Russia. 

Are you packing your bags yet for an adventure? 

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