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- What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or
travel document that gives you permission to enter the United
Kingdom. On arrival in the United Kingdom a Border Force officer
may check that you are here for the reasons you have stated. Passengers
will also have their fingerprints scanned at border control to
verify that the individual entering the UK is the same person
who gave their biometric data when they applied for their visa.
For more information about what you might expect on arrival in
the UK please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
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When to apply
For all types of visa, you can apply up to 3 months in advance
of your intended date of travel to the UK. Applicants are strongly
advised not to confirm their travel arrangements to come to
the UK until they have received their visa.
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How to apply
There are 8 steps to complete the visa application process.
You are advised to read through the application steps set out
below before you make your visa application so you are clear
about the procedure and requirements.
Step 1 - Check if you need a visa
Use the 'Do
I need a visa' guide on the UK Border Agency website to
see if you need a visa to enter the UK. If you need a visa you
should follow the steps outlined below.
Step 2 - Read the information on your visa
category
Before you decide to apply for a visa please make sure you familiarize
yourself with the information
on the visa category you are applying for. Quick links to information
on visa categories and other helpful information can be found
on the 'Visa Information' page
on this website. It is your responsibility to make sure that
you apply for the right visa, and that you submit the right
documents in support of your application. You may also want
to read the Immigration
Rules your visa application will need to meet these requirements.
Please be advised that VFS staff in UK visa application centres
cannot give you advice on how to complete your application,
or what type of visa you should apply for.
Step 3 - Complete your visa application form
You should submit 1 online visa application for each individual
applying for a visa, including children. Please ensure that
you select the correct visa application for the purpose of your
visit
Complete an online visa application in English using the online
application
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Please ensure that you select the correct visa application
for the purpose of your visit |
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Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. Sections
1 and 2 are vital to considering your application. The information
in this section must be completed accurately. |
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Please print all the pages of the visa application
form and bring it to the visa application centre (see
step 6). You should print your completed visa application
form on good quality paper and ensure that the information
does extend beyond the margins on the paper. |
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Please make sure the bar code appears on the final page
of your printed visa application form and remember to sign
it. |
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After you have saved and submitted your online application,
you will receive an email with a unique application ID number
that starts with GWF. Keep your ID number for future reference. |
Information for representatives
Representatives can book individual appointments or notify the
visa application centre directly by email if they wish to book
an appointment slot for their entire group to submit their visa
application. Please send an email to info@ukvac-ru.com
marked to the attention of the 'visa application centre manager',
including the name of the visa application centre (city) and where
you are applying at least 2 weeks before travel.
You should provide the following:-
Name, email, telephone number of a contact person
Number of applications
Date of travel
For each of the applicants:
Name
Date of birth
Passport number
The visa application centre manager will then contact you to discuss
how applications should be submitted.
Note: If the group includes children, agents must submit
a letter with the name and passport number of all the visa applicants
as well as the contact details of the head of the group. The letter
should also include details of the children travelling and identify
the adults accompanying them. A sample
covering letter can be found on this website.
Children under 18 visiting the UK
The
UK Border Agency has a Code of Practice for keeping children safe
from harm. To issue a visa to a child under 18, the visa officer
must be satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made for
their care in the United Kingdom. This means that the application
form must contain:
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The full address where the child will be staying. |
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The name of the person who the child will be staying
with. |
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The necessary signed consent forms from
both parents. |
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The name and passport number of the person accompanying
them to the UK. |
Commonwealth countries and British overseas territories
Applications for certain British overseas territories and Commonwealth
countries can take up to 3 months to process, so please apply
well in advance of your travel date. Decisions on these applications
are not made by the UK Border Agency - they are sent to the relevant
British overseas territory or Commonwealth country for a decision
to be made on your application
Step 4- Make an online appointment
Once you have completed the online application form, you will
be prompted to book an online
appointment so you can submit your visa application, supporting
documents and biometric data. You can either book the appointment
after you have completed your online visa application or you can
log in at a later date. You can only make your appointment once
you have completed and printed off the online application form.
You can print the application form at any time by logging on to
the same website.
If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family
or group must make an individual appointment. For example, if
you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children, you must make
4 individual appointments.
If you need to change your appointment please remember to cancel
your original appointment. You can only book 1 appointment for
each person applying for a visa. If you book more than 1 appointment
for each applicant, we may cancel all of your appointments without
informing you. This is to stop people making bulk bookings that
prevent other customers from getting an appointment.
You should print a copy of appointment confirmation and bring
it with you to the visa application centre. You should not make
your application or appointment until you have prepared all your
documents.
All visa applicants (apart from exempt
categories and children under 5 years) must apply in person at
the visa application centre to submit their biometric data. Although
exempt
categories and children under 5 do not need to attend the visa
application centre, they will need to complete a visa application
form. If you refuse to submit your biometric
data, your visa application cannot be processed.
Please note: If your previous visa application was not
successful then you must complete the entire process once
again. You must not use the earlier filled online visa application
form.
Step 5 - Prepare your documents
Original documents
You must provide original documents with a photocopy
of each original document you are submitting. Your original documents
might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies
of the originals. Failure to submit original documents may mean
your application is delayed or refused. We recommend that you
make any necessary copies before you come to the visa application
centre, alternatively a photocopier is available at the visa
application centre (fee payable).
Translations
If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your
visa application you should provide translations of any supporting
documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need
to be submitted with the original document for verification. All
translated documents must include the following information: -
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confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate
translation of the original document |
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the date of the translation |
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the translator's full name and signature |
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the translator's contact details |
Supporting documents
For additional information about the supporting documents you
will need to submit with your application, see supporting
documents checklists on the UK Border Agency website. Customers
must submit as much evidence as they can of their personal circumstances.
The absence of important documentary evidence of your travel history
in a previous passport (if applicable) and comprehensive supporting
documents may result in your application not being successful.
Staff at the visa application centres can only give you general
information about supporting documents; it is your responsibility
to satisfy the visa officer and provide all the relevant documents
to support your visa application.
Photograph
Provide 1 recent photographs (not more than 6 months old). The
photograph should be in colour and:
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Taken against a light grey or cream background; |
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Clear and of good quality; |
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Printed on normal photographic paper; |
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45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size |
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Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses
or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for
religious or medical reasons. The subject should have their
mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows)
and the applicant should be facing forwarding, looking straight
ahead. |
More information on photograph
requirements can be found on the UK
Border Agency website.
Information for Sponsors: If you are sponsoring someone
to come to the UK, please include your full postcode on your
invitation or sponsorship letter.
Step 6 - Visit the visa application
centre
Please arrive at the visa application centre no earlier than
15 minutes before your appointment. You will be directed to
reception, and then to the waiting area. If you are too early,
the security staff will ask you to come back at the appointed
time.
Please remember to bring the following:
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Your passport or travel document. It must be valid and
have at least 1 blank page on both sides for the visa to
be inserted |
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Your printed online visa application form which you have
signed |
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1 photograph (photograph specifications given above in
step 5) which you should attach to your
visa application form |
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The visa application fee (Roubles in cash).
Please be aware that visa application fees are subject to
exchange rates. This means the fee, in local currency, can
increase as well decrease at short notice. If you require
further information you are advised to contact your nearest
visa application centre for further details or visit the
visa application fees page on
this website for further information.
Please remember that the visa application fee is determined
by the date you actually make your application at a visa
application centre not the date you completed the online
application form
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Your supporting documents (see step 5).
The visa officer aims to make a decision on your application
on the basis of the papers you submit, without interviewing
you. |
Important note: You will not be able to submit further
documents after you have submitted your application at the visa
application centre. The documents you submit at the time you made
your application are the only documents that can be considered.
The visa application centre will not accept applications and supporting
documents sent by mail or courier.
Biometric data collection
All visa applicants (apart from exempt categories and children
under 5 years) must apply in person at the visa application centre
to submit their biometric data. Although exempt categories and
children under 5 do not need to attend the visa application centre,
they will need to complete a visa application form. If you refuse
to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot be
processed. Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an
adult when giving their biometrics; this cannot be a member of
the visa application centre staff. Biometrics cannot be taken
for visa applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied.
A visa application can only be processed after your biometrics
have been taken.
Biometric
data collection includes a digital fingerscan (all 10 digits)
and a digital photograph. The fingerscan procedure uses an electronic
scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You should ensure that your
fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example,
henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect
your ability to provide acceptable fingerscans. Your digital photograph
must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted
spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or
medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair
across the eyes. We cannot process your visa application if you
do not submit your biometric data. Your biometric data must be
submitted within 40 days from the date you submitted your online
visa application form - this is not date when you submitted
your application at the visa application centre.
Step 7 - Wait for a decision
Please refer to the 'Guide to Processing
Times' page on this website for more information on our
processing times in Russia. You can use this information as
a guide to our recent performance, although it cannot be used
as a guarantee of your individual visa application processing
time. You can also use the free 'Track
Your Application' facility on this website to find out the
progress of your visa application, or use the SMS
text service (fee payable) to receive texts about the progress
of your visa application. Visa applications are assessed individually
and processing times may vary.
Please note: The UK Border Agency at the British Embassy
in Moscow will retain your passport until they have reached
a decision on your visa application. Please bear this in mind
when you are making your travel arrangements, particularly if
you plan to visit other countries before going to the UK. If
you need to withdraw your visa application then please see information
on the 'Frequently
Asked Questions' page of this website.
Step 8 - Collect your passport
When the UK Border Agency has made a decision on your visa application
they will email you using the email address you provided when
you submitted your online visa application.
Please remember to bring the following:
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The acknowledgement receipt you were given in the visa
application centre when you made your visa application. |
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Cash receipts. |
A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf.
Your nominated person must bring the following:
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An authorised letter signed by you and proof of their
identity which includes a photograph of them. |
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A copy of the all the receipts that you were given in
the visa application centre when you submitted your visa
application. |
You can also chose to have your documents couriered
back to you for an additional charge payable at the visa application
centre. Please see the 'Additional Services'
page on this website for more information.
Please Note: If you have lost your receipts then you must
come in person to collect your passport and provide us a signed
letter as an acknowledgment of passport collection. The visa application
centre will not give your passport to your nominated person in
this case.
You must collect the decision on your visa application, passport
and supporting documents within 30 days from the date it reaches
the visa application centre. If you do not collect your passport
within this period then visa application centre will return it
to the UK Border Agency at the British Embassy in Moscow. If this
is the case, you will need to email the UK Border Agency at MoscowVisainquiries@fco.gov.uk
to request for your documents. The visa application centre will
not be able to help you once the 30 days has past and your documents
have been sent to the UK Border Agency.
If you are issued a visa, please check it. You should make
sure that:
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your personal details are correct |
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it correctly states the purpose for which you want to
come to the UK, and |
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it is valid for the date on which you want to travel.
(You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to 3 months
if you do not plan to travel immediately).To do so you need
to contact the British embassy directly by emailing MoscowVisainquiries@fco.gov.uk |
If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, please contact
the visa application centre immediately.
Please note: The UK Border Agency at the British Embassy
uses transliteration to update your first name, patronymic and
last name. The details on your visa are printed as per the transliteration
guide.
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