To meet the increasing demand for Russian visas, while maintaining high standards of service, the Embassy of the Russian Federation has outsourced its visa application processing to M/S VFS Services (UK) Ltd. The Russia visa application centre commenced operations since 23rd January 2009. This new procedure does not only avoid queuing and waiting lists but also focuses on delivering the visa within a short period of time.

This service is available to all nationals resident in the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands including Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark and the Isle of Man) who wish to apply for a Russian visa. The visa applications are to be submitted at the Russia Visa Application Centre in London or in Edinburgh without prior appointment. All applications will be assessed by the Embassy of the Russian Federation. We offer the option of courier service for return of passport, directly at your doorstep.

For Prospective Applicants

Applicants who wish to apply for a Visa are requested to kindly read the information on this website carefully. The guidelines listed on this website are to help you prepare your documents as accurately as possible. This will reduce the chances of your application being incomplete or not being processed.

Please note that you may be required to appear before a Visa Officer for a personal interview at the Russian Consulate in London or in Edinburgh prior to a decision being taken on your application.

Важная информация:

В соответствии со статьёй 6 Федерального закона «О порядке выезда из Российской Федерации и въезда в Российскую Федерацию» от 15 августа 1996 года № 114-ФЗ выезд из Российской Федерации и въезда в Российскую Федерацию граждане Российской Федерации осуществляют по действительным документам, удостоверяющим личность гражданина Российской Федерации за пределами территории Российской Федерации.
Установленный законом порядок въезда в Российскую Федерацию распространяется также и на граждан Российской Федерации, имеющих, наряду с российским, иное гражданство. В этой связи Посольство обращает внимание данной категории граждан на то, что для въезда на территорию России они обязаны использовать только свои российские паспорта. По вопросу оформления российских поспортов просьба обращаться в консульский отдел Посольства России в Великобритании (см. cайт консульского отдела
http://www.rusemblon.org/).

Step 1 :	Only short-term visa applications are accepted at the VFS application centre. Holders of diplomatic and service passports intending to visit Russia on official Business will continue to apply in person at the Russian Embassy, London.
Step 2 :	Before applying, please ensure you are very clear on your ‘purpose of visit’ - do remember we are here to assist and help you through the entire visa application process but are not permitted to advise or guide you on choosing a visa category. Since our Work is primarily administrative in nature, we have no say on whether you will be granted a visa as this is entirely the prerogative of the Consulate / Embassy of Russia to decide on.
Step 3 :	Please go to the link “All about visas” to understand details of short stay visas.
Step 4 :	Please select type of the visa you are applying for to obtain the information on the requirements.
Step 5 :	Please check the requirements carefully and fill in an online application form which is available in the section ‘Visa Application Form’.
Step 6 :	You need to print out your visa application form and come to apply in person to the Visa Application Centre in London or Edinburgh. Please note that at the time of submission you need to have all the documents and visa fees specified for your nationality and type of visa you are applying for. You can also apply by post- in this case your complete visa application needs be sent to London only. However, if the purpose of your travel to the Russian Federation is employment, you need to apply for your visa in person at the Russian Visa Application Centre, Please see the section ‘All About your Visas’ for more detailed information.
Step 7 :	Please ensure you check closure dates and read the security regulation notices before you visit the Visa Application Centre
Step 8 :	Please note that in order to collect your passport at the Visa Application Centre you will need to present the original receipt given to you during the submission which will be collected from you as a proof of delivery of your passport. Please make sure you have a copy of it if you require it for your records.
Step 9 :	It is Applicant’s responsibility to check the validity of the visa issued to ensure that it covers the period of stay requested, the number or entries required, and that it is valid for the purpose of trip immediately after collection of your passport.

If you have already submitted an application for a Visa at VFS Russia Visa Application Centre in UK you can track your application here by entering your Receipt Number and your Date of Birth.

Please click here to see the status of your application.