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.

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

•	Please ensure that you select the correct visa application for the purpose of your visit
•	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.
•	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.
•	Please make sure the bar code appears on the final page of your printed visa application form and remember to sign it.
•	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:

•	The full address where the child will be staying.
•	The name of the person who the child will be staying with.
•	The necessary signed consent forms from both parents.
•	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: -

•	confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
•	the date of the translation
•	the translator's full name and signature
•	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:

•	Taken against a light grey or cream background;
•	Clear and of good quality;
•	Printed on normal photographic paper;
•	45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size
•	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:

•	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
•	Your printed online visa application form which you have signed
•	1 photograph (photograph specifications given above in step 5) which you should attach to your visa application form
•	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
•	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:

•	The acknowledgement receipt you were given in the visa application centre when you made your visa application.
•	Cash receipts.

A nominated person can also collect your documents on your behalf. Your nominated person must bring the following:

•	An authorised letter signed by you and proof of their identity which includes a photograph of them.
•	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: