Travel to Russia is set to become easier for Indians as the country will launch electronic visa (e-visa) facilities for Indian passport holders from August 1. The e-visa will be processed in a maximum of four days, and a USD 40 consular fee will be charged for the facility.

Beginning on August 1, citizens of 52 nations will be able to obtain an electronic visa in four days, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry released earlier.

The visa would be awarded based on an application made via the electronic visa portal or the mobile app, the ministry stated in a statement published on its website.

Foreign nationals are permitted one entry and one stay in the Russian Federation with an electronic visa as a tourist, business visitor, or participation in scientific, cultural, sociopolitical, economic, or sporting events.

The visa is valid for 60 days; during this period, a foreign citizen may enter Russia and stay up to 16 days from the entry date. This type of travel document is accepted at 92 border crossing sites that can validate electronic visas for admission into Russia via air, land, and ocean travel and without transportation.

In February this year, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that the country is planning to introduce visa-free travel for citizens of up to 11 states and ease entry requirements for some six others, including India and Indonesia. In addition, Lavrov declared that Russia would resume its e-visa programme, which had been started in 2020 but abruptly stopped due to the coronavirus outbreak. The e-visa programme will be revived in a condensed form that most Western passport holders won't be able to access.

Tourists can stay in the country for 16 days with the new e-visa. Some foreigners may be eligible for a tourist visa valid for up to six months, provided they have lodging reservations, according to sources.

The e-visa option for Indians is anticipated to speed up the lengthy documentation procedure and decrease processing time, giving Indian travellers planning trips to Russia a more practical choice.