Can I enter India through any airport with an e-Visa?

No. The e-Visa is accepted only at officially approved airports. These include major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru and several others. Check the current list before you travel, as it may change.

Will immigration ask for a hotel booking?

Usually not, but the immigration officer may sometimes ask you to confirm your address. It's enough to show a booking screenshot, messages with your host or the name of your hotel.

Do I need a return ticket?

Formally, not always. However, airlines often require a return ticket when you check in for a flight to India. This is due to their own carriage rules, not the country's rules.

Do I need a printed visa if I have a PDF on my phone?

Sometimes a phone is enough, but many officers still ask for a paper copy. To avoid delays, we recommend carrying a printout. It takes little space and saves time.

Can I apply for a visa while outside Russia?

Yes. The e-Visa is issued based on your passport and does not depend on the country where you apply. The main requirement is that you are not in India physically at the time you apply.

Is there a visa fee for a 30-day tourist visa to India?

From 1 January 2026, the visa fee for the 30-day tourist visa for Russian citizens has been abolished. The service cost is 1,900 ₽. For citizens of other countries, the conditions remain unchanged.

India Visa for Russians: How to Apply, Cost and Whether You Need One

India visa for Russians can be applied for online, quickly and easily. On our site you can find out about the types of visas, processing times, entry rules and how to apply.

Types of India visas

Tourist visa — 1 month

Validity: 30 days
Entry: single
Cost:
— 1,900 ₽ — for Russian citizens
— 4,990 ₽ — for citizens of other countries
Suitable for:
Travelers on a short holiday, a tour or a first trip to India.

Apply for a 1-month e-visa

Tourist visa — 1 year

Validity: 365 days
Entry: multiple
Cost: 6,990 ₽
Suitable for:
Travelers who fly to India often, do border runs or spend winter outside their home country.

Apply for a 1-year visa

Tourist visa — 5 years

Validity: 5 years
Entry: multiple
Cost:
— 14,900 ₽ — for Russian citizens
— 22,500 ₽ — for citizens of other countries
Suitable for:
Those who visit India regularly: winter residents, digital nomads, travelers and families.

Business visa

Validity: 1 year
Entry: multiple
Cost: 12,990 ₽
Suitable for:
Entrepreneurs and remote specialists who need to live and work in India long term and with freedom of movement.

Key timing rules for an Indian visa

Visa fee

From 1 January 2026, India has waived the visa fee for the 30-day tourist visa for Russian citizens.

Visa validity

Electronic tourist visas are available for 30 days, 1 year and 5 years, each with its own activation rule and period of use.

When the visa starts

The 30-day visa starts from the date of entry, while the 1-year and 5-year visas start from the date of application. This matters when you are planning your trip.

Entry window

The entry window for the 30-day tourist visa has been significantly extended: it is now up to 120 days instead of 30. This makes trips and connections much easier.

Maximum length of stay

On any tourist visa you can stay in the country for up to 90 days in a row, but no more than 180 days a year, regardless of the visa's validity period.

Number of entries

All electronic tourist visas for India allow unlimited entries, which is convenient for travel between countries.

Format

Your visa comes as a PDF certificate that can be verified online. An entry stamp is added to your passport when you arrive.

Processing time

Standard processing takes about 3 days. For a 5-year visa, allow 5–7 days, especially during busy periods.

Fully online

You apply online. You only need copies of your documents and an application form. No embassy visit is required.

How to get your visa: fast and simple

The process is fully online. You only need copies of your personal documents and a carefully completed application form. Once approved, you receive your visa as a PDF certificate that you can verify on the official website.

On arrival in India, a visa stamp is placed in your passport, confirming your legal entry.

Step-by-step guide to applying for an ETA visa for India online

Step 1. Prepare your documents

Upload your passport and a photo on a light background. If you have been to India before, attach your previous visa and exit stamp.

Step 2. Fill in the form on the official website

Enter your personal details, travel information and contacts, then upload your files. Check all details carefully before submitting.

Step 3. Receive your e-Visa by email

Your ready e-Visa comes as a PDF. Print it or save it on your phone, as it is checked on arrival.

Learn more about applying for an Indian visa

Documents you need:

The visa is applied for fully online. You only need copies of documents and an application form
Provide the main page of your passport, as a scan or a clear photo without glare or shadows, and a front-facing photo on a light background
If you have been to India before, attach a copy of your previous Indian visa and the exit stamp from India. You cannot apply while you are in the country.

Fill in your application details:

Provide your full name, including any previous names, your Russian passport series and number, home address, and phone and email
You will also need your parents' details, your spouse's details if applicable, your employer, a list of cities you have visited in India, the number of your last Indian visa, an emergency contact in Russia, countries visited in the last 10 years, your expected arrival date and airport, and your planned cities of travel

Wait for your visa:

Average processing time is 3 days for a 30-day or 1-year visa, and 5–7 days for a 5-year visa
Your visa comes as a PDF certificate that you can print, verify on the official website, and show on arrival
On arrival, an Indian visa stamp is placed in your passport

Don't miss your visa validity dates

India fines travelers even for 1 day overstay.
Plan your departure in advance and keep track of your dates to avoid fines and entry bans.

What to know before your trip to India

Online arrival card for India

From 1 October 2025, you can complete your arrival card online at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, 72 hours before arrival. Each traveler must complete one.

Rule for tourist visas

The total of all trips must not exceed 180 days in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December of each year)

Your visa is valid from your date of entry

Plan your trip to the exact dates – not a day earlier or later

Choose the right visa type

Tourist visas are available for 1 month, 1 year or 5 years, as well as business visas and regional permits for travel to restricted areas

Print your e-Visa

You need to show your e-Visa at check-in and on arrival in India

Keep track of your length of stay

Even 1 day of overstay is penalized with a fine or entry ban

Olga – our visa extension specialist for India

Olga can help you with applications and visa extensions and all the necessary formalities in India. Message her, and she will take care of everything!

How to fill in your India immigration card in advance

From 1 October 2025, you can complete your immigration card online before arriving in India: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/
You can do this up to 72 hours (three days) before your arrival date in India. Children also need their own electronic card: the form is submitted for every traveler, including minors

🔥 The option to fill in the paper immigration form at the airport is still available!

Benefits of applying online

Fully remote

Applying takes just a few minutes and is completely online, with no in-person visit and no need to submit documents by hand.

No embassy visit needed

Application, review and visa collection are all done remotely, so you do not need to visit the consulate or book an appointment.

Minimal paperwork

You only need a passport, a photo and some basic form details, with no certificates, confirmations or extra paperwork.

Suitable even for a first visit

e-Visa is approved regardless of your travel history, so any traveler can apply, even if they have never been to India.

Fast processing – from 3 days

Most visas are processed in an average of 3 days, sometimes even faster, which is handy for last-minute trip planning.

Official Resources for Indian Visa Applications

India e-Visa application site

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

The official portal for applying for an e-Visa. This is the only place to submit your application without intermediaries.

Indian Bureau of Immigration (BOI)

https://boi.gov.in/boi/

The source of official information on entry, visa extensions and rules of stay in the country. Useful for checking your dates.

Ministry of External Affairs

https://mea.gov.in/

The government website that publishes diplomatic contacts, embassy addresses and important visa announcements.

Incredible India Tourism Portal

incredibleindia.org

The main official website for tourism and sights in India, useful for planning your route.

Useful tips and general information on what you need to know about the India visa

✨ Your trip to India starts long before you board the plane, and a properly arranged visa makes the journey smoother and more comfortable. To help your application go as smoothly as possible, keep these important points in mind, which even experienced travelers often overlook.

🧳 Always check your passport's validity period. India may refuse entry if it expires less than 6 months after your date of arrival. It's best to check early so you don't have to redo your application at the last minute.

📸 Your visa photo must be recent. If your appearance has changed significantly (for example, you've grown a beard), it's better to take a new photo. This reduces the risk of requests for more information or refusal.

🛂 Keep copies of all documents you submit with your visa application. The system may sometimes ask you to upload them again, so having every file to hand saves time.

🛫 It's best to buy flights to India after your visa is approved, especially during holiday months or peak season. Visas are usually approved quickly, but delays are always possible.

🌐 Check your personal details more than once. A single wrong letter in your name or a wrong passport number can make your visa invalid.

📱 Save your visa to your phone in advance and take a screenshot. Airport Wi-Fi can be weak, and the immigration officer may ask you to show the document on your device.

🧘‍♂️ Indian immigration officers value accuracy, so answer the form directly and without unnecessary detail. Simple, correct answers speed up processing.

🛬 And remember: even with an e-Visa, you may be asked on arrival where you are staying or what your travel plans are. Keep your hotel address and a rough itinerary to hand. This shows you are prepared and speeds up the process.

💡 Tip from Big Travel
Print your visa letter and save the PDF on your phone. At the border you may be asked to show the document on paper. If you want your visa done right the first time, message Olga (@OlgViza) from our team, who can guide you through the whole process.