Visas for the UK

How to apply for a UK visa

Where can I get information?

The UK Border Agency and the British Embassy in Moscow work in partnership with a commercial organisation, VFS.

You can get all the information you need on the different visa categories, and how to apply, by

Visiting the UK Visa Application Centre website
Phoning the UK Visa Application Centre 007 495 784 7144 (Premium Call Rates Apply)
Emailing them on info@ukvac-ru.com
If you have an enquiry concerning an existing application, please either email MoscowVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk, or telephone the Call Centre on (007 - from the UK) 495 784 7144 (Premium phone line) quoting the application's 6 figure reference number.

All the information provided is supplied and approved by the UK Border Agency.

Do I have to pay?

There is a charge for using the phone service, but information from the website and by email is free of charge.

Where can I get advice?

UK Visa Application Centre and its staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:

How do I submit my application?

VFS manage 5 Visa Application Centres in Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don where you should submit your application and your biometric fingerscans.

Who decides whether I will get a visa?

UK Border Agency staff will process and decide your visa application. VFS and their staff play no part in the outcome of your visa application. They cannot influence it in any way. If any member of staff employed by VFS say they can influence your application, you should tell the British Embassy/Consulate immediately.

We aim to process 90% of non-settlement applications within 5-15 working days, of you submitting the applications at the Visa Application Centre. However applications for any visa with a validity longer than 6 months will take longer to process and we aim to process these application within 28 working days. Some applications can take us longer to process, particularly at busy times of the year, and so we recommend that everyone allows a month for their visa to be processed. Settlement applications can take up to 3 months to process.

We suggest that you do not buy tickets or make non-refundable travel arrangements until your visa has been issued. You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before you are due to travel.

Applications for certain overseas territories and Commonwealth countries can take up to 3 months to process, so please apply well in advance of your travel date.

In order to help us process your application as quickly as possible, please make sure that you submit all supporting documents with your application form when you lodge your papers at the Visa Application Centre.

We will retain your passport until we have reached a decision on your application. This could take up to 1 month, so please bear this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements, particularly if you plan to visit other countries before going to the UK.

Contacting the British Embassy/Consulate

Please do not contact the British Embassy or Consulate with general enquiries about visas - you should contact VFS with these.

Service standards

We expect a high standard of conduct and professionalism from all our staff dealing with visa applications and we are committed to serving you with courtesy and respect. We ask you to treat our staff with the same courtesy and respect.

However, if you have any complaints about the visa service, please contact MoscowVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk and in the subject line of the email, please write 'Complaint'. We aim to reply to you within 20 working days. To help us achieve this, please provide the following information: