DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

All applicants should be aware that the British Embassy carries out verification checks on documents submitted in support of visa applications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the documents submitted should be in a format that enables and assists verification. Where applicable, documents should include clear website addresses, telephone numbers and complete postal addresses. All decisions in visa applications are based on the evidence available at the time of assessment. It therefore follows if the evidence is not verifiable, the application may be refused. In such circumstances, a fresh application will be required.

Applicants must have the following documents in their application before the application is submitted. There are additional documents required for various categories of visa applied for and they are also detailed below. Please note that if you submit an application that does not have the documents requested, an Entry Clearance Officer may refuse your application without an interview being offered. It is very important then to make sure you have the documents the British Embassy require in order to make a quick decision in your case. Please note the requirement for copies detailed at the bottom of this page.

• A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining and space to insert a visa.
  Additionally, a photocopy of your passports bio-details page must be provided.
• A fully completed and signed visa application form (VAF).
• 1 passport sized photograph (see VAF page 1 for guidance).
• The correct fee in roubles.
• Evidence of funds, e.g. recent bank statements or payslips or tax documents stamped by the tax authorities to show that you or your sponsor can pay for the trip and have enough money to support and accommodate you and any dependants whilst in the UK. (Please note - car, land and property documents, money exchange receipts and cash are not deemed to be suitable evidence of funds).
• Evidence of your current employment or studies (if applicable). Such evidence will be a letter from your employers detailing what your position is, how long you have worked for the company and what your salary is. If you are a student, then a letter from your educational establishment saying what you study and what year you are currently in will suffice.
• Your old passport(s) (if available)
• If you are a sponsor and you are sending copies of your bank statement to the person(s) you are inviting, you may wish to blank out your account number and sort code for security purposes. We will accept ordinary photocopies/fax/email copies of your bank statement(s) or originals. Similarly, you can also blank out any personal details like your National Insurance number, for example, if you are supplying a copy of your wage slip.
  
  In addition to the above, other supporting documentation is required, as detailed below, for various categories of application:-
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING AS A VISITOR…
  …For Tourism
  
• Evidence of hotel/tour arrangements in UK.
  
  …For Business
• An invitation letter from the company in the UK explaining why you are being invited, for what purpose and where you will be staying. If your company here or the UK company is meeting the cost of the trip, this should also be confirmed in the letter. Please note, this invitation letter should not be sent to the visa office but should be sent direct to the applicant for them to attach to their application.
  
  …To visit Family or Friends
• A letter from your sponsor explaining your relationship with them, the purpose and length of the visit and where you will be staying.
• Evidence of your sponsor’s immigration status in the UK (e.g. a copy of their passport photo page and UK visa, if applicable). If the sponsor is a British citizen married to a Russian national, please submit copies of both their passport photo pages and the current UK visa of the Russian national. If you are visiting any member of your family in the UK, please show evidence of their current UK visa/immigration status.
• Please note, the invitation letter and supporting information should not be sent to the visa office but should be sent direct to the applicant for them to attach to their application.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING AS A STUDENT:
  
• An original letter of enrolment from the university, college or school in the United Kingdom confirming your acceptance on a course of study in the UK, with information detailing what the course is, how long it is for and the cost of the course. At the same time as you apply, please also submit a copy of the enrolment letter for our records. We will return the original letter to you so that you can show it to the Immigration Authorities when you arrive in the UK.
• Original letters of enrolment must not be sent direct to this Embassy or Visa Application Centre. Prospective students should make their own arrangements with their university, college or school in the United Kingdom to obtain such letters before they apply.
• Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates which you hold and evidence of your studies here if you are a student in Russia (eg student book or letter from your university, college or school).
• Evidence of sufficient funds (eg an original bank statement, applicant’s/parents’ employment letters with salaries detailed) to pay for your course and support and accommodate yourself and any dependants without working or help from public funds.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR SETTLEMENT AS A FIANCÉ(E), SPOUSE OR CIVIL PARTNERSHIP:
  
• A letter of sponsorship from your fiancé(e),spouse or Civil Partner confirming that they support your application and giving brief background details about your relationship – eg how long you have been together, when you met, where you met and how, whether you have met since etc.
• Birth certificates of applicant and any children who are accompanying.
• Original marriage certificate (if applying as a spouse).
• Evidence that sponsor is settled in the UK e.g. a copy of his/her passport or registration certificate.
• Divorce certificate or death certificate of previous husband or wife if either applicant or sponsor have been previously married.
• Six months worth of bank statements from your sponsor.
• A letter from your sponsor’s employer confirming their current employment.
• Recent pay slips from your sponsor’s employment.
• Evidence of the accommodation that will be available to you – e.g. mortgage documents, deeds, tenancy agreement.
• Evidence of your relationship e.g. letters, e-mails, itemised phone bills, photographs, visas/passport stamps showing visits to see each other or holidays abroad together.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR A WORK PERMIT/HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANT PROGRAMME (HSMP)/AGRICULTURAL WORKER VISA:
  
• The original work permit or Home Office HSMP Letter and a copy for our records.
• Details of the accommodation in the UK you will be living in.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING AS A DEPENDANT:
  
• A copy of the passport photograph page of your husband/wife/partner and a copy of their current UK visa/UK immigration conditions.
• A copy of your husband/wife/partner’s latest bank statement and salary slip (if applicable).
• Details of the accommodation in the UK you will be living in.
• The original marriage certificate or birth certificate (if a child dependant) showing you are related as claimed. Please also bring copies for our records.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING AS THE DEPENDENT OF AN EEA NATIONAL:
  
• You must also provide a copy of the EEA national’s passport photograph page and evidence of your relation to them. For example, their birth certificate to show you are related, your marriage certificate to show you are married or such documents that show your relationship if you are a relative by marriage through your son/daughter. You should also submit the same financial type documents from your sponsor as required of other settlement applications.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING AS THE DOMESTIC WORKER OF SOMEONE VISITING, WORKING OR SETTLED IN THE UK:
  
• A copy of your employer’s passport photograph page and current UK visa/leave to remain.
• Letter of sponsorship from your employer stating how long you have worked for them, in what capacity and how long you will be staying in the UK and where and what you will do there.
• Completed and signed declaration forms for employer and employee accessible via these links Form 1 and Form 2.
  
  IF YOUR ARE APPLYING AS A DEPENDENT RELATIVE OF SOMEONE RESIDENT IN THE UK:
  
• You must provide a copy of the UK relative’s passport photo page and their current UK visa/leave to remain and evidence that you are related as claimed (eg birth certificates). You must also submit the same financial type documents from your sponsor as required of other settlement applications above. In addition, we strongly urge you to look at the Immigration Rules, paragraph 317, to see the requirements for such applications. There is a link to the UK Home Office in the Links section of this website. The Home Office website contains lots of very useful information regarding the Rules and also Home Office caseworkers’ guidance on such applications. In particular, if parents/grandparents are under 65 or other dependent relatives over 18, there are stricter rules governing qualifying for this kind of visa.
  
  IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE:
  
• In addition to your foreign passport you must also submit your British passport and a copy of the British passport photograph (bio-details) page for our records. Form VAF 7 is used for such an application.
  
  ADOPTION CASES:
  
• You should contact the British Embassy/Consulate via email for details of what documents are required, what procedures you will need to follow in such cases and any general questions you may have regarding adoption of Russian nationals. Please contact British Embassy for advice as early as possible in the adoption process. See "Embassy contacts" for the email address.
  
  If you are applying for a visa in any other category please make sure you have read the relevant Information Sheet, before submitting your application. You can also visit related links listed in the "Links" section for other useful assistance.
  
  IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE ALSO SUBMIT (ORDINARY PHOTOCOPY) COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THEM FOR OUR RECORDS. WE CAN THEN RETURN THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS TO YOU.