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. 

Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for UK Citizens

  1. 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

  2. Photograph

    You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://visacentral.co.uk/photo-service to upload your photo.


    Alternatively, you may provide one colour, passport type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against a white background and printed on high quality photo paper; be 35mm 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 photograph should not be affixed to your application and may not display evidence of adhesive or staples.

  3. Business Introduction Letter

    You must provide a Business Introduction Letter from the applicant's UK employer. Be certain your letter meets the specific requirements of the consulate by using our Digital Business Introduction Letter. Visit https://visacentral.co.uk/bcl-order to get started.

    Alternatively, please use the sample Business Introduction Letter provided at https://visacentral.co.uk/forms?formname=Business%20Introduction%20Letter%20Sample.pdf using the exact language and format provided in order to prevent a rejection and possible delays with your visa request. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a UK postal address.

    Note that most consulates require the Business Cover Letter to be dated within one month of application submission.

  4. 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.

  5. Visa Application Form

    One fully completed and signed visa application form.

    Completing the application form can be time-consuming and complicated.  Use the VisaCentral Russia Document Preparation Service to ensure your documentation is accurately prepared and correctly submitted according to consular requirements. Additional fees apply unless an Executive Service is requested in which case this service is complimentary. In order to facilitate this, please complete the VisaCentral Russia Document Preparation Service Form which can be found within the VisaCentral Application Pack.

    Alternatively, the visa application form can be filled in by the applicant. The 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

  6. 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. 

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. Restricted Area

    Applicants travelling to any of the following restricted areas: Dagestan, Chechnya, North Osetia (Abhasia) or Ingushetia will be referred for approximately ten working days.

  11. Advised Traveller Service (Highly Recommended)

    Stay informed and safe by having VisaCentral subscribe you to the Government Foreign Travel Advice Email Alerts. Registration enables you to receive the most up-to-date travel advice regarding safety, security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. VisaCentral will register the email address provided in the order. To enroll in this optional service, add this option to your order within the order flow

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.

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for UK Citizens

  1. 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

  2. Photograph

    You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://visacentral.co.uk/photo-service to upload your photo.


    Alternatively, you may provide one colour, passport type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against a white background and printed on high quality photo paper; be 35mm 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 photograph should not be affixed to your application and may not display evidence of adhesive or staples.

  3. 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 issued   

  4. Visa Application Form

    One fully completed and signed visa application form.

    Completing the application form can be time-consuming and complicated.  Use the VisaCentral Russia Document Preparation Service to ensure your documentation is accurately prepared and correctly submitted according to consular requirements. Additional fees apply unless an Executive Service is requested in which case this service is complimentary. In order to facilitate this, please complete the VisaCentral Russia Document Preparation Service Form which can be found within the VisaCentral Application Pack.

    Alternatively, the visa application form can be filled in by the applicant. The 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

  5. 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. 

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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. 

  10. Visa Conditions

    Applicants should apply for the visa no more than six months prior to travel

  11. Advised Traveller Service (Highly Recommended)

    Stay informed and safe by having VisaCentral subscribe you to the Government Foreign Travel Advice Email Alerts. Registration enables you to receive the most up-to-date travel advice regarding safety, security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. VisaCentral will register the email address provided in the order. To enroll in this optional service, add this option to your order within the order flow

Russia Visa

Don't know what a visa for Russia looks like?  You can view sample visa for Russia and see the information it contains.

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