FAQ

Can I apply for a visa directly to Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata?

Companies and organizations, including travel agencies and any other entities applying for visas on behalf of customers or employees, regardless of the purpose of visit to Russia, must apply through the Russian Visa Centers only. 

Individual foreign citizens have the right to apply directly to the Consular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation or the nearest Consulate General of the Russian Federation to obtain a visa for themselves and the closest relatives by making a prior appointment. 

Certain categories of applicants including diplomats and officials can apply directly to the Russian Consular Institutions.

What documents do I need for a visa?

You can find all information here.

I have booked a hotel, is booking confirmation enough to apply for a visa?

No, you should provide a tour confirmation issued by a Russian travel agent certified to receive foreign tourists by the Federal Tourism Agency (you can contact your hotel to get this document).

I am not a citizen of India, can I apply for a visa for Russia in India?

Yes, you can. However, citizens of the following countries need to provide a permission for continuous stay in India for more than 90 days: Albania, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg , Macedonia, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Oman (not required in exceptional cases), Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Finland, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of South Africa, Japan. Citizens of the following countries can be granted a visa without submitting the permission for continuous stay in India for more than 90 days, only in humanitarian cases: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Macedonia, Slovenia, Norway, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Equatorial Guinea, and Estonia.

Depending on the national legislation the documentary evidence of continuous stay in India for more than 90 days may be a student visa, work visa, work permit, temporary residence permit, temporary residence registration, etc.

Permanent residence permit in India or other similar document for the citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, China, North Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Syria, Somalia, Turkey , Chad, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia.

I have a connecting flight via one of the Russian airport, do I need a transit visa?

Transit passengers are permitted to remain in transit zone of international airports without visas for up to 24 hours. The Consulate General recommends transit passengers to consult their air carrier companies with queries concerning visa-free transit, reloading the luggage between flights, changing between terminals and airports. Passengers bound for the Republic of Belarus via the Russian Federation airports are required to have transit visas for the Russian Federation.

I need to attest translation of a document, is it possible to translate it at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata?

No, the Consulate General does not provide translation services; you need to provide a translation done beforehand. 

Should I translate an apostille to attest a translation of a document?

Yes, the whole document has to be translated if you want to attest a translation of a document.

I need to legalize my university diploma (put an apostille on it); can I do it at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata?

No, you cannot. For getting your educational documents apostilled you should approach any regional office of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, regardless of the place of issue of the document. When a diploma, etc is apostilled in the same region of Russia where it was issued, the process is faster. An applicant must personally submit an application and documents attached to it to a government authority or send a representative with a duly notarized power of attorney.

However, if you need to submit your documents to countries which are not parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents 1961, you may need to legalize your diploma, which can be done only in Russia in the Consular Department of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Russian Federation.

How can I get a “police clearance certificate”?

To obtain a certificate of no criminal record the applicants should attend the Consulate General in person having completed the required form in Russian. A valid proof of ID is required. The time for processing a criminal check is approximately 1-3 months. We will contact you by phone when your certificate is ready for collection.

I want to study in Russia, where can I get information?

You can contact:

Russian Centre for Science and Culture (RCSC) in Kolkata (Gorky Sadan):

Address: 3, Gorky Terrace, Kolkata, 700017

Phone No.: +91-33-22832742/+91-33-22832743

E-mail: india_kolkata@rs.gov.ru 

Website: https://ind-cal.rs.gov.ru

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussianHouseKolkata

RCSC in New Delhi:

Address: 24, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, 110001

Phone No.:  +91- 11-23329100/+91- 11-23329101

E-mail: india_deli@rs.gov.ru

Website: http://ind.rs.gov.ru

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcsc.delhi

I need a non-objection letter from the Consulate General - how can I get it?

Unfortunately, it is not possible. The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata does not issue such letters. However, a consul can certify the authenticity of your signature, which is normally accepted by the Indian authorities.

Can I pay a fee for a consular action by card?

No, you cannot. The Consulate General accepts only cash. 

I do not know Russian language. Can I fill in application forms for documents (passport, power of attorney, certificate of no criminal record, etc) in English?

No, you cannot. In this case we recommend you to consult an interpreter or a translation agency beforehand to help you with your documents.

What is the fee for a consular action?

You can find the tariffs here.