Important Information
Biometric ProcedureThe Embassy of Russia requires that all individuals applying for a Russia visa in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland provide biometric data, specifically fingerprints, as part of the visa application process. To facilitate this, applicants will be required to make an appointment before they appear in person at the Visa Application Centre in London, Edinburgh or Manchester. The only exceptions to this rule are applicants under the age of 12 years and those travelling for official business or holding a diplomatic passport.
Your application cannot be considered by the Consulate without fingerprints. CIBTvisas offers dedicated and personalised fingerprint collection appointments and will schedule a convenient time for you after we have received your materials in our office. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first-come, first-service basis. Expedited appointments are also available for those travellers with urgent deadlines.
We recommend that applicants with urgent travel utilise our elective services such as Concierge or Pre-Check to ensure that all materials are correct and that a fingerprint appointment can be scheduled as soon as possible.
Please note that applications must be received at least one working day prior to the applicants preferred biometric submission date. Applications submitted through the Visa Application Centre in Manchester will take a minimum of six working days to be processed. A next day express service is available; however applicants will be required to submit their biometric data in London or Edinburgh. In order to apply for this service please select "London" or "Edinburgh" as your processing city when making your order on the VisaCentral website.
Your application cannot be considered by the Consulate without fingerprints. CIBTvisas offers dedicated and personalised fingerprint collection appointments and will schedule a convenient time for you after we have received your materials in our office. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first-come, first-service basis. Expedited appointments are also available for those travellers with urgent deadlines.
We recommend that applicants with urgent travel utilise our elective services such as Concierge or Pre-Check to ensure that all materials are correct and that a fingerprint appointment can be scheduled as soon as possible.
Please note that applications must be received at least one working day prior to the applicants preferred biometric submission date. Applications submitted through the Visa Application Centre in Manchester will take a minimum of six working days to be processed. A next day express service is available; however applicants will be required to submit their biometric data in London or Edinburgh. In order to apply for this service please select "London" or "Edinburgh" as your processing city when making your order on the VisaCentral website.
Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for UK Citizens
Passport
The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
- Have at least two blank facing visa pages
- Be valid for six months beyond the expiry date of the visa
Photograph(s)
You must provide one colour, passport type photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last three months and printed on high quality photo paper
- Be taken against an all white background
- Be 35 mm by 45mm in size
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression
- You may wear neither spectacles nor headwear except for religious purposes
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive or staples
Business Introduction Letter
You must provide a Business Introduction Letter from the applicant's UK employer. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a UK postal address. Use the sample Business Introduction Letter provided at https://visacentral.co.uk/forms?formname=Business%20Introduction%20Letter%20Sample.pdf to complete your letter.
Note that most consulates require the Business Cover Letter to be dated within one month of application submission.
Letter of Invitation
A letter of invitation from Russia is required. Photocopies are acceptable. The invitation must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its regional representatives or by an appropriate Russian Federation Migration Service Branch. The invitation must:
- Include the name of applicant
- State the purpose of journey
- Specify dates of entry and departure
- Bear an official seal and legal address of the host institution
- State the document registration number and date of registration
- Bear the signature and name of the official authorised to invite foreigners to Russia
Russian visas are issued with specific start and expiry dates which are based on the visa support supplied. Travel must be completed within those dates. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended once they have been issued.
Applicants holding an INN business invitation which includes the tax identification number of a registered Russian company are advised to click here. This must be provided as the original document.Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. This form must:
- Be completed online at: https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx
- Bear the applicant's original signature
- Be no older than 30 days (counted from the date of completion)
- Have no handwritten changes or modifications
VisaCentral Order Confirmation
For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.
Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process.
Multiple Entry Applicants
Additional requirements apply to applications for multiple entry visas:
- The passport of the applicant must contain two facing blank visa pages
- Applications for multiple entry visas must be accompanied by an original invitation unless this is being provided in telex format. One year multiple entry visa holders may enter Russia multiple times, however the total number of days stay cannot exceed 90 days in any 180 day period
Applicants who wish to provide an invitation in telex format must note that the processing time will be extended by three additional days.
Self Employed Applicants
Self-employed or unemployed applicants must provide copies of their last three bank statements showing a minimum credit balance of £100.00 for every day of stay in Russia. Online banking printouts are only acceptable if stamped and certified by the bank
Retired applicants are exempt from this requirement.Holders of a Valid Visa
Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Russian visa at any one time. Applicants holding a valid visa in a current or second passport must present this for cancellation upon submission of a new visa application
Important Information
Biometric Procedure The Embassy of Russia requires that all individuals applying for a Russia visa in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland provide biometric data, specifically fingerprints, as part of the visa application process. To facilitate this, applicants will be required to make an appointment before they appear in person at the Visa Application Centre in London, Edinburgh or Manchester. The only exceptions to this rule are applicants under the age of 12 years and those travelling for official business or holding a diplomatic passport.
Your application cannot be considered by the Consulate without fingerprints. CIBTvisas offers dedicated and personalised fingerprint collection appointments and will schedule a convenient time for you after we have received your materials in our office. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first-come, first-service basis. Expedited appointments are also available for those travellers with urgent deadlines.
We recommend that applicants with urgent travel utilise our elective services such as Concierge or Pre-Check to ensure that all materials are correct and that a fingerprint appointment can be scheduled as soon as possible.
Please note that applications must be received at least one working day prior to the applicants preferred biometric submission date. Applications submitted through the Visa Application Centre in Manchester will take a minimum of six working days to be processed. A next day express service is available; however applicants will be required to submit their biometric data in London or Edinburgh. In order to apply for this service please select "London" or "Edinburgh" as your processing city when making your order on the VisaCentral website.
Your application cannot be considered by the Consulate without fingerprints. CIBTvisas offers dedicated and personalised fingerprint collection appointments and will schedule a convenient time for you after we have received your materials in our office. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first-come, first-service basis. Expedited appointments are also available for those travellers with urgent deadlines.
We recommend that applicants with urgent travel utilise our elective services such as Concierge or Pre-Check to ensure that all materials are correct and that a fingerprint appointment can be scheduled as soon as possible.
Please note that applications must be received at least one working day prior to the applicants preferred biometric submission date. Applications submitted through the Visa Application Centre in Manchester will take a minimum of six working days to be processed. A next day express service is available; however applicants will be required to submit their biometric data in London or Edinburgh. In order to apply for this service please select "London" or "Edinburgh" as your processing city when making your order on the VisaCentral website.
Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for UK Citizens
Passport
The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
- Have at least two blank facing visa pages
- Be valid for six months beyond the expiry date of the visa
Photograph(s)
You must provide one colour, passport type photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last three months and printed on high quality photo paper
- Be taken against an all white background
- Be 35 mm by 45mm in size
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression
- You may wear neither spectacles nor headwear except for religious purposes
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive or staples
Tourist Voucher and Confirmation
A copy of a Russia Tourist Voucher and Russia Tourist Confirmation. This must:
- Be stamped and signed by an authorised person from the Russian Foreign Ministry
- Be issued for stay of 30 days or less
- Bear the exact entry and exit dates required by the applicant and as stated on the visa application form
Applicants who hold tourist vouchers which state "Aim Tourism" must select this as purpose of trip when completing the online visa form.
Applicants duration of stay cannot exceed 30 days within the start and expiry dates of the visa support supplied. Russian visas are issued with specific start and expiry dates which are based on the visa support supplied. Travel must be completed within those dates. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended once they have been issuedVisa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. This form must:
- Be completed online at: https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx
- Bear the applicant's original signature
- Be no older than 30 days (counted from the date of completion)
- Have no handwritten changes or modifications
VisaCentral Order Confirmation
For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.
Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process.
Self Employed Applicants
Self-employed or unemployed applicants must provide copies of their last three bank statements showing a minimum credit balance of £100.00 for every day of stay in Russia. Online banking printouts are only acceptable if stamped and certified by the bank
Retired applicants are exempt from this requirement.Holders of a Valid Visa
Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Russian visa at any one time. Applicants holding a valid visa in a current or second passport must present this for cancellation upon submission of a new visa application
Repeat Visitors
Applicants who have been issued three tourist visas within the last 12 months must supply a personal statement. This statement must:
- Clearly state the purpose of travel
- Justify the reasons for visa issuance
- Be signed in the original
Cruise Passengers
Applicants intending to go ashore on independent shore excursions must get an entry per excursion. Applicants who intend to disembark the cruise ship twice, whether on the same day or two separate days require a double entry visa if not taking part in the cruise company's organized shore excursions.
Visa Conditions
Applicants should apply for the visa no more than six months prior to travel
