Visas to Goa for Russians. How and where to apply for a visa in Goa

India is the pearl of the East. And the best place in India is Goa. The first to understand such a simple thing was the hippies back in the 60s of the last century. It is these romantics and lovers of nature that have discovered the fascination of endless beaches with a gentle sun in the boundless azure sky. And the whole world elite, and later ordinary tourists, who were tired of overcrowded and predictable European resorts, reached out to them. Russian citizens, by virtue of some historical events, discovered this resort not so long ago, but already managed to fall in love with it. And every year the influx of tourists from our country only increases: travelers massively issue visas to Goa and go in search of new impressions.

Types of visas

Depending on the purpose of the trip, you can draw up different types of visas:

- tourist;

- multiple and single entry;

- transit, with a stay of up to 15 days;

- student, is issued upon admission to the educational institution of India and the presence of a letter-call;

-special, intended for persons studying the culture of India or coming to different courses;

- business;

- working.

The terms of the permit are different: from 72 hours (short-term transit) to one year. Some types of visas can be extended on the spot. The tourist visa can not be extended in India.

Visa upon arrival

How much is a visa for Goa on arrival? And how can you get it? First of all, tourists should understand that the registration of permission to visit the country is formalized after the arrival only as an exception. This is not even a visa, but a kind of certificate. The traveler is issued a TLF / TLP form in exchange for the passport and only if there is a return ticket. It is issued only in the case of a documentary Confirmed death of a relative in the territory of India, transit passengers with short stay and tourist groups (4 people or more) who ordered tours through Indian agencies. If such permission is granted, you can not leave the territory of Goa, and the passport is given only on the way back.

They issue a TLF / TLP form in about 1,5-2 hours at the airport and, as a rule, very reluctantly.

What documents are required for obtaining a visa

Visas to Goa are issued at the Embassy of India (Moscow), at consulates (Petersburg and Vladivostok) or at the visa center (Yekaterinburg). Citizens residing in other cities can obtain permission through a travel agency (when booking a voucher) or an intermediary firm. Mediators take a commission for their services: 500-3000 rubles.

To obtain a visa, you need the following documents:

1. A passport with at least two free pages.

2. A copy of the passport (first page).

3. The questionnaire. It is filled in English.

4. Two color photos 3,5 × 4,5 cm without ovals and corners, made not earlier than 6 months.

5. In case of a private visit - an invitation and a copy of the passport of the inviting person, for tourists - a travel agency voucher.

6. Return flights.

7. A copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.

8. For traveling with children - a copy of the birth certificate, must be translated into English.

9. Media employees, regardless of the purpose of the trip, fill out a special form.

This is an indicative list, to which can be added more documents for different types of visas. In addition, the visa department may require additional information.

Visa on Goa: terms and price

The first thing that an interested person who has submitted documents for a visa is the time for receiving it. After all, there are situations when the time is already running out, and the coveted stamp in the passport is not there yet. So how much is a visa for Goa?

In principle, the permit is usually issued in a matter of days - 4-5, not more. However, in rare cases, the issue is delayed by 14 days, so you need to submit documents at least two weeks before departure.

The second no less popular question: "How much does a visa for Goa cost?" The price depends on the method of obtaining permission: in the embassy or consulate - 1600 rubles. For execution of documents; Intermediaries - the same plus commission for services; In the travel agency - 65-75 dollars, a visa on arrival - 70 dollars.

There is also a fake visa on arrival, when a tourist is credited with a non-existent group. It costs 150-200 dollars, plus picking up at the airport. However, this is illegal and involves restrictions in the movement, as well as the risk of a very real criminal punishment.

Reasons for failure

For what reasons can they refuse to obtain a visa to Goa? In fact, the embassy or consulate may not issue an entry permit without explaining the reason, and it is impossible to guess what the visa department employee did not like.

However, there are situations in which a tourist is always refused or with a high degree of probability. For example, there is not enough money in the bank account, a clean passport (very rare, but the traveler may be suspected of using a fake document), lack of medical insurance, there is no purpose of visiting, the passport expires in less than six months (direct basis), previous failures Elimination of the root cause), and so on.

Interesting facts: Russian tourists on Goa

How much are our compatriots in Goa? Visa for Russians is more expensive than for tourists from other countries. The only exception is Romanian: the cost of a visa for citizens of the Russian Federation and citizens of Romania is approximately the same, that is, plus $ 40 to the principal amount for processing a package of documents. For example, Americans pay a total of plus 20, and the Japanese pay from plus 1 to 8 dollars for different types of visas.

This unequal position is caused by the fact that the authorities of India are dissatisfied with Russian tourists. Not all, of course, for example, a law-abiding married couple with children and a good bank account will not cause any claims. But the loners who come often for last money for dubious entertainments (in India they offer hashish even in hotels), the more unmarried young girls without a profession cause a lot of questions. Visas to Goa such tourists still receive, but at the same time, the punishment for violations of the visa regime has become tougher. For example, there have already been cases when Russian citizens received a real prison sentence for an expired permit.

Nevertheless, the authorities of India emphasize that they are always welcome to tourists from Russia, and single unpleasant incidents do not affect the overall picture.