From Monday 29 September 2008, all visa applications submitted in St Petersburg will be considered at the Embassy in Moscow. This completes the initiative launched earlier in 2008 to centralise the assessment of visa applications in Moscow, whilst simultaneously opening new Visa Application Centres in Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don. The aim is to improve the quality of decisions and ensure consistency in decision-making.

The change to our internal procedures will go largely unnoticed by the vast majority of our customers. We will aim to turn round a majority of applications within five working days of them being received at the Application Centre. The Visa Application Centre in St Petersburg will also operate new hours, it will open for the receipt of new applications between the hours of 0800 - 1500 on each standard working day.

As always we ask our customers to apply in good time, applicants for visas of up to 6 months duration should apply at least 15 working days in advance of intended travel. Applications for longer-term visas can take longer to process as additional checks are made.

For customers who would like a faster turn around, two added value VIP express services have been developed. Please see FAQs for further details.