Make an appointment online to give your biometrics and submit your application;
Visit the Visa Application Centre(VAC);
Wait for a decision; and
Collect your passport.
Please note that you must complete and submit your application form and schedule your appointment online before you submit your visa application. All applicants are required to come in person to submit their visa application. If you don't complete your application online, and then bring your documents to the VAC in person, we will not be able to accept your application.
Please make sure that your passport is valid when you make your application, and that it contains atleast one blank page so that the visa can be placed there.
Information for Groups
Because all applicants need to make their applications personally, it is not possible for representatives to make group applications on their behalf.
Representatives can book individual appointments or notify the VAC directly by email if they wish to book an appointment slot for their entire group to submit the applications to the VAC. Please send an e-mail to
info@ukvac-ru.com
(Attn: (Name of city) UKVAC Manager) at least 4 weeks before travel, providing:-
- Name, email, telephone number of contact person
- Number of applications
- Date of travel
For each of the applicants:-
- Name
- Date of birth
- Passport number
The VAC manager will then contact you to discuss how applications should be submitted.
Step 1: Prepare your application
It is you responsibility to make sure that you apply for the right visa, and that you submit the right documents in support of your application.
The UK Border Agency produces a series of Information Leaflets for the different types of visas available.
These can be found on the UK Border Agency website.
We can only accept applications made online. This change brings the application process in Russia into line with those used in other British visa issuing posts world-wide.
A separate form must be completed for each applicant. After you have completed the form you will get a reference number for your application like GWF000000000.
Print out your application form and sign it.
Attach one recent colour passport-sized photograph. UKBA's requirements are that:
The photo must be in colour and taken against a plain, evenly lit, light coloured background so that your features are distinguishable against the background.
Your full face should be visible.
You should not wear a hat, helmet or other headgear, unless you wear such an item for religious reasons.
You should not wear sunglasses, although everyday glasses can be worn.
The photographs should be clear and of good quality, and should be printed on normal photographic paper.
The photo must be unmounted, passport style photographs sized 45mm x 35 mm.
Please note that photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and this may cause a delay in the processing of your application
Step 3: Make an appointment online to give your biometrics and submit your application;
Once you have completed the online application form, you will be prompted to book an appointment to submit your application. You can either book the appointment at this stage or log in at a later date to retrieve your application. You can also print the application form at any time by logging on to the same site.
You must book an Enrolment - Settlement appointment if you are applying for a visa as:-
- a fiancé(e)
- proposed civil partner - spouse
- civil partner
- unmarried and same-sex partner
- dependant child/dependant relative - EEA permit to join a spouse or a close relative on a permanent basis
You must book an Enrolment-Non-Settlement appointment if you are applying for any other visa type, for example Visitor, Business, Work Permit, etc including and EEA permit if it is your intention to simply visit your relative in the UK.
- You can only make your appointment once you have completed and printed off the online application form. You can only book one appointment per person – if you book more than one per person, we may cancel all of them without informing you. This is to stop people making bulk bookings and preventing other customers from being able to make their own appointments.
Step 4: Visit the Visa Application Centre(VAC);
Please arrange to arrive at the VAC no earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment. You will be directed to the Application Centre Reception, and then to the waiting area. If you are too early, you will be asked by Security Personnel to return at the appointed time.
Please submit the following:-
- Your passport or travel document
- Printed online application form with one photograph attached
- The visa fee (Rubles in cash)
-Any supporting documents relevant to your application
The Entry Clearance Officer will aim to make a decision on your application on the basis of the papers you submit, without interviewing you. Please pay close attention to the supporting documents requested at the time of application. All supporting documents must be translated into English.
We recommend that you make any necessary copies before you come to the Visa Application Centre. A photocopier is available at the VAC, and a fee will be charged for copies.
All applicants must have a finger scan as part of the application process at the Visa Application Centre. Those exempt from a fingerprint scan include:-
- Children under 5 years of age
- Applicants for Channel Islands and Isle of Man
- Applicants for Commonwealth countries and Overseas Territories
- Applicants for Right of Abode
- Applicants who are exempt from immigration control ( Chapter 5 of Entry Clearance Guidance www.ukvisas.gov.uk )
Applicants who are transferring valid visas into new passports
Step 5: Wait for a decision
We aim to process 90% of applications within 5-15 days of you submitting the applications at the Visa Application Centre.But some applications can take us longer to process, particularly at busy times
of the year, and so we recommend that everyone allows a month for their visa to be processed.
We suggest that you do not buy tickets or make non-refundable travel arrangements until your visa has been issued. You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before you are due to travel.
Applications for certain overseas territories and Commonwealth countries can take up to 3 months to process, so please apply well in advance of your travel date.
In order to help us process your application as quickly as possible, please make sure that you submit all supporting documents with your application form when you lodge your papers at the Visa Application Centre.
We will retain your passport until we have reached a decision on your application. This could take up to 1 month, so 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.
You can collect your passport and documents from the Visa Application Centre either in person or through a representative.
If someone else collects the passport for you, they must have the receipt you were given when you submitted your application.
Alternatively, you can opt for the documents to be returned by courier for an additional nominal courier charge if you wish
Guidelines for people with disabilities
The UK Border Agency has ensured that the UK Visa Application Centres in Russia have been designed to allow access to all of our customers. If you have any concerns, please contact the relevant Visa Application Centre Manager when you arrive at the Application Centre.
Public Holidays For 2008
The British Embassy and Consulate, and all Visa Application Centres, will be closed on the following days.
DAY
DATE
HOLIDAYS
Tuesday
1 January
New Years Day
Wednesday
2 January
New Year (2)
Monday
7 January
Russian Orthodox Christmas
Friday
7 March
For International Women's Day (8
March)
Friday
21 March
Good Friday
Monday
24 March
Easter Monday
Friday
9 May
Victory Day
Monday
26 May
Privilege Holiday for HM the Queen's
Birthday
Thursday
12 June
Russia Day (Declaration of Sovereignty
Day)
Tuesday
4 November
Day of National Unity
Wednesday OR Monday
24 December
29 December
Christmas Privilege Holiday
(TBC)
Thursday
25 December
Christmas Day
Friday
26 December
Boxing Day
The Embassy, Consulate, and VACs will not observe any other ‘non-working’ days, or public holidays declared at short notice.
