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FAQ: How to travel to and from Russia right now

A girl holds a kitten in her arms in one of the terminals at Vnukovo international airport

Who can enter Russia

At the time of writing, Russia has opened its borders for citizens of the following countries:

• Great Britain

Citizens of these countries can freely enter and leave Russia subject to visa regulations. That is, citizens of the UK, Tanzania and Turkey need to obtain a visa prior to arrival in Russia. As for Abkhazia and Belarus, Russia has a visa-free regime with these countries.

People near an information board at Terminal B at the Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), july 21,2020

Additionally, on August 2, 2020 Russia opened its borders for Swiss nationals, but international flights to and from Switzerland will only resume on August 15. Flights will be operated once a week on the Moscow-Geneva-Moscow route.

Nationals of other states can also enter Russia if they:

• are family members of Russian citizens (family members include spouses, parents, children, carers and guardians). Grandparents and siblings are not included on the list. When applying for a visa, you will need to provide documents showing proof of kinship;
• have permanent residency in the Russian Federation. A temporary Russian residence permit is not accepted;
• are travelling to attend the funeral of a close relative. To enter the country, they will need to provide the death certificate and documents showing proof of kinship;
• are travelling to look after close relatives. To enter the country, they will need medical certificates and documents showing proof of kinship;
• are travelling to Russia for medical treatment. To enter the country, they will need to provide a certificate issued by a Russian state-run or private clinic. The document must state the date of the medical appointment, the patient’s full name, the name of the procedure and also the particulars and stamp of the medical organization.

There are several categories of foreign nationals to whom Russia has not prohibited entry. They include:

• Employees of consular establishments in the Russian Federation;
• Truck drivers delivering goods to Russia;
• Members of official delegations and persons who hold official visas;
• Aircraft crews, sea and river vessel crews and train and locomotive crews of international railway services.

In all other cases, crossing the border of the Russian Federation will be regarded as illegal. People violating this law can be fined up to 200,000 rubles (approx. $2,668) or face compulsory labor or imprisonment for up to two years.

No travel without a certificate

Passengers queue for rapid COVID-19 testing launched at Vnukovo International Airport with the use of testing kits developed by the Russian-Japanese joint venture Evotech-Mirai Genomics. The results are issued in 60min in Russian and English, August 7,2020

On July 27, 2020, Anna Popova, the head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), signed an instruction under which all foreigners coming to Russia must, on boarding their flight, have a certificate confirming they have tested negative for Covid-19.

The certificate must be issued no more than three days prior to arrival in Russia and the document can be printed in either Russian or English.

There is no longer a mandatory two-week period of self-isolation on arrival in Russia - Popova lifted that requirement from July 15, 2020.

Traveling out of Russia

People who have arrived from New York City on an Aeroflot - Russian Airlines flight, carry their luggage at the arrivals area of Sheremetyevo International Airport. June 17.2020

The following categories of citizens can also travel out of the country:

• Persons with dual nationality; 
• Persons with permanent residency in another country; 
• Citizens in possession of a work visa or a visa issued for medical treatment in another country. 

Resumption of air travel and flight cancellations

Despite the lifting of restrictions on travel to and from Russia, Russian passenger airlines have started to experience problems with international flights.

From early June, the Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot was selling tickets for flights from Moscow to dozens of cities, including Frankfurt am Main, Paris, London, New York, Rome, Seoul and Tel Aviv.

Another large airline, S7, is also operating flights from Moscow to Alicante and Nice, and promised to resume flights to Turkey from August 10.

Aeroflot was suspected of illegally selling tickets to countries with which air links remain restricted. This was pointed out by the Federal Antimonopoly Service.

As a result, on August 6, 2020, Aeroflot announced the cancellation of practically all of its international flights. A full list of cities to which the airline will not be operating flights up untilAugust 31 has been published on the air carrier’s website. 

A stewardess wait outside the Sheremetyevo A.S. Pushkin international airport following the easing of the coronavirus restrictions, outside Moscow, Russia

According to the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency’s (Rosaviatsiya) website, the majority of Russian airlines are primarily planning to resume flights to Turkey, which is a popular summer vacation destination among Russians. 

“The number of regular and charter flights to Turkey is to be significantly increased from August 10. Russian carriers Sibir, Ural Airlines, Royal Flight, Nordwind Airlines, Azur Air, Rossiya Airlines and iFly are all planning to commence flights,” the air regulator’s website says. Flights to Moscow by international air carriers Turkish Airlines and British Airways are also expected to resume.

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Russian Federation Visa Types

You can apply for any of the available e-visas online using the VisaHQ visa application portal. You only need to fill out the application form, attach the necessary documents and submit it for approval. Before you apply, take your time to study the feature of each one so you know the ideal option for your needs.

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A visa is not required for this destination.

Russia Tourist visa fees for citizens of Russia

Russian federation visa policy.

The visa policy of the Russian Federation covers the requirement for foreign nationals who wish to enter the country. According to the current policy, all visitors, with the exception of those from visa-exempt countries, must apply for visas and get them before they are permitted to travel to Russia, enter the country, and stay for some time. The visa exemptions are signed based on multilateral and bilateral agreements with other countries. Currently, Russia has active agreements with many countries whose citizens may either be able to apply for electronic visas or are completely exempted from holding visas if they are coming to stay for only a short period.

If your country is not on the visa exempt or electronic visa list, you must apply to a foreign mission abroad to land the visa.

 Furthermore, as a foreign national in Russia, you are expected to comply with the rules and regulations while you are within their territory, including border and customs regulations. The authorities may deny entry, shorten your stay, or deport you if their laws are violated.

Russian Federation Visa Free Policy

Currently, there are over 60 countries whose citizens are not required to hold visas before entering Russia if they don’t wish to spend more days than is allowed under the visa waiver program. Apart from Belarus and South Ossetia citizens who may remain in Russia indefinitely, other visa-free visitors can only stay in Russia without visas for 90 days within 180 days. Tweaking the period by leaving and reentering the country is no longer accepted like it was in the past.

 Visitors who violate the policy and overstay for up to 180 days are banned from future entry for three years. If they overstay up to 270, that attracts a five-year ban, and anything above 270 will be a 10-year ban.

Visa Free Countries

The Russian Federation has a visa free list of selected countries whose citizens can stay in Russia for different durations.  How long they stay depends on their nationality as determined by the visa policy of Russia.  While citizens of Belarus and South Ossetia may stay in Russia indefinitely, other eligible nationals can stay for 90 days, 60 days, 30 days and 14 days respectively.

Visa exempt visitors are free to enter as tourists, pursue their business interests or transit through a Russian airport to another country.  However, they are not allowed to work or study without obtaining a work study visa.

Russian e Visa

As part of the government’s drive to speed up visa application processing, the e-visa program was launched for selected foreign nationals. This visa is valid for 60 days from the issue date and allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 16 days. During their time in Russia, they can move within the Federation. Electronic visas are issued for the purpose of tourism, business, sporting, socio-political, cultural, and scientific events. Applicants are advised to apply for their e-visas no earlier than 40 days and later than 4 days before the day they plan to travel.

E-visa applications are processed up to four days from the submission date.

Key Information About Russian Federation e Visa

Here are some vital details about the electronic visa of Russia you should know about.

Not Extendable: The first thing you should bear in mind is that this electronic visa is not transferable from one visitor to another. The general rule is for each visitor to apply for their own electronic visa before entering the country. The same is the case for persons traveling with minors; they must apply for a visa on their behalf.

Application Fees: There is a processing fee attached to the process which must be paid using a credit or debit card. This fee is not refundable even if the visa is not issued.

Apply With The Same Passport: You must travel with the same electronic visa used for the application, not a different one. This is because the visa is electronically linked to the passport so traveling with a different passport will be tantamount to having no passport at all. Furthermore, the passport must have at least 6 months validity.

Only Valid For Approved Routes: This electronic visa is only valid for approved routes so endeavor to plan your itinerary properly. Transit visitors should also use only approved airports for their connecting flights.

Russian Federation Visa Online – Get your Russian Federation e-Visa with VisaHQ

Are you planning a trip to Russia anytime soon? You will need to obtain a visa if you are from somewhere other than a visa-exempt country. The good news is that Russia offers electronic visas to persons from eligible countries, so if you are eligible, you can apply for one through VisaHQ. You don’t have to visit the Russian embassy to go through a prolonged visa application process.

How To Apply For A Visa With VisaHQ

If you are looking to apply for a visa with VisaHQ, you can save time with the process. We have structured our online application process so applicants can complete theirs using their smartphones or computers in 20 minutes or less. Here is what you need to do to apply for an e-visa to Russia.

Fill Out The Form:  You should start by choosing the visa you want, then fill out the application form carefully. The information you provide should match what is on your documents.

Attach the documents:  Since it is an online application, you only need to submit soft copies of your documents, and you should upload scanned copies of all your documents.

Get Your Visa:  After submitting your application form, you should wait up to 3 days for processing.

The visa will be forwarded to your email inbox. Please print it out and bring it with you for the trip.

Why Use VisaHQ?

You should join the long list of applicants who trust VisaHQ with their applications because our service is indeed first class. When you apply with our platform, you enjoy the following

• Speedy application form completion
• Avoid disqualifying mistakes
• Track your application status
• Apply for multiple visas
• Protect your sensitive information with our advanced data encryption software

VisaHQ will also provide you with expert support should you encounter difficulties with your application. Our representatives are only a call away, so you have nothing to worry about. Navigate to the application page now, choose your desired visa, and complete the application form.

Russia COVID-19 travel restrictions

• Entry is partially open Nonessential travel is permitted for citizens and residents of over 60 countries, including those of the EAEU and CIS, as well as around 60 other countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Prior to arrival requirements Valid passport. Valid national passport with at least 6 month remaining validity after the date of departure. Valid visa. Please see the instructions above if visa is needed and apply. Negative PCR COVID-19 test prior to arrival is required to for anyone arriving to Russia and should be no older than 48 hours before travel. Upon arrival restrictions 🏠 Quarantine is required for all arrivals to Russia without test results. 😷 Masks are recommended.

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To read about russia visas.

• How long does it take to get a visa to Russia
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• Russia visa for Indians

Frequently Asked Questions about Russia visa

• What types of visa durations can be applied for? Single-Entry allows the foreign national a one-time entry into the borders of the Russian Federation. Double-Entry allows the foreign national to enter and exit the Russian border of no more than two times. Multi-Entry allows for unlimited entry into the Russian Federation within the visa period.
• I am not a citizen of the european union, how may I obtain a visa? Non-EU citizens may apply for a Russian visa via invitation, or an invitation granted by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation, or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this case, if the nationality of the individual must be indicated via supporting documents that indicate their status in such country. Such as a home registry, work authorization, or a copy of your lease agreement, or a copy of the electric bill.
• What type of insurance do I need? (for eu citizens only) US citizens do not require proof of health insurance! For citizens of the Schengen Agreement, a copy of your health insurance card and the insurance policy valid in Russia for the full visa period is required; this excludes any parallel agreements between individual countries that may contradict this. If you are not a EU citizen, please inquire whether you would need to provide a copy of your health insurance from a Visa Center operator. The policy must include information about which hospitals or clinics accept your insurance in case of emergency. Applicants seeking a multi-entry visa need to show proof of insurance that covers their first trip only.
• Can I apply for two visas simultaneously? Unfortunately not, according to the laws of the Russian Federation, you may only have one current Russian visa in your international passport. If your passport already contains an active Russian visa that has not been used (such as a single or double-entry visa with one entry left, or an unused multi-entry visa), we recommend that you apply for a new visa no less than 10 days prior to it's expiry.
• Under what cirmustances do we require original documents, what are they? Only the originals of the following documents are accepted: - Passport, valid for six months after the visa expiry date; - Visa application, printed and signed by hand. Signature must match that of the passport; - Passport-style Photograph(s); - Invitation for Private type 1 visa, Work visa, Student visa, Humanitarian visa single, double, or 1 year multi-entry must all be issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS) at the request of the inviting party. This excludes 3-year visas, for which copies of the invitations are accepted.

Russia Embassy list in United States of America

Russia customs.

• Tobacco products 400 cigarettes or 200 cigarillos or 100 cigars or 500 grammes of tobacco products, provided only one type of tobacco products is imported (otherwise only half of the quantities allowed);
• Alcoholic beverages Only for persons of 21 years and older: alcoholic beverages: 2 litres;
• Perfume A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use;
• Goods Goods up to an amount of RUB 65,000.- for personal use only;
• Food Caviar (factory packed) max. 250 grammes per person.
• Customs declaration, which will be filled out on entry of Russian Fed. must be kept carefully. When leaving Russian Fed. this declaration has to be handed over, even when travelling to another C.I.S. country.
• Dairy and meat products are permitted (except from Armenia and Georgia), provided packed in original factory packing and in quantities that can be considered for own personal use. Larger quantities will be subject to inspection and traveller will be requested to provide the appropriate documentation, including veterinary health documents.
• Cats, dogs and birds must be accompanied by: veterinarian health certificate (nationals of C.I.S. countries may present a veterinary license instead) bearing seal of local Board of Health and issued no more than ten days prior to arrival (or international Veterinary Passport). Pigeons must be accompanied by a certificate which proves they are free from bird flu; international veterinary passport. For all animals, except cats & dogs, special import permission from Veterinary dept. Ministry of Agriculture is required. (Generally pets are not permitted in hotels.)
• For travellers entering the Russian Fed., a limit of baggage allowance of 35 kg and/or a value of RUB 65,000 exists. If exceeding the limit, a customs fee of EUR 4per kilo will apply or a 30% axis on top of the excess value to be collected.
• Photographs and printed matter directed against Russian Fed.
• Acipenseridae family (sturgeons) fish and any product made thereof and live animals (subject to special permit).
• Military arms and ammunition, narcotics, fruit and vegetables.
• Dairy and meat products from Armenia and Georgia.
• Arms and ammunition.
• Goods for personal use
• Archeological, historical and artistic objects are allowed with obligatory written permission of Ministry of Cultural Affairs and with a photograph of the exported object.
• For all kind of weapon besides declaration a special permit from Internal Affairs Ministry is needed.
• Arms, ammunition, precious metals, (gold, silver, etc.) and articles made thereof (also if containing precious stones and/or real pearls).
• Acipenseridae family (sturgeons) fish and any product made thereof.
• Antiquities (i.e. any article older than 50 years) and art objects (subject to duty and special permit from the Ministry of Culture), furs.
• Food poisoning, TB, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis occur in Russia. Travellers to, and residents of, the Moscow region should be aware of the increase in notified rabies cases.
• All travellers should seek medical advice before travelling to the country and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.
• There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
• Racially motivated attacks do occur in Russia. Travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent should take extra care.
• The North Caucasus remains an unstable and potentially dangerous region.
• Due to an unstable and potentially dangerous in North Caucasus, all travellers must have the correct documents including the right visa for the purpose of your visit, and meet registration requirements.
• All travellers must carry your original passport at all times in the Russian Federation. A copy will not be sufficient.
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If you want to conduct business in Russia, you will need a Russian business visa. In this article, we will discuss the requirements for Russian business visas and how you can apply for them online.

Documents Required for Russia Business Visa

Here are some documents that you will need to submit for a Russian business visa:

Application Form: Complete form and sign it before submitting it. You can submit the form online or to the Russian consulate.

Original Passport: For a Russian visa, you will need submit your original passport. The passport should be valid for 6 months or more. Please ensure the passport has at least 2 blank pages

Passport-type Photograph: A passport-type photograph is also required. Please ensure the photograph has a white background, otherwise, it will not be accepted. You can upload the photograph in the online form. You can also take this photograph through your phone.

Passport copy: You can scan the front page of the passport and submit it. However, ensure that the passport is valid and signed by you. You will need to scan the information page of the passport.

Business invitation letter: The business invitation letter is a mandatory document, and it needs to be approved by the foreign affairs department of the Russian Federation. You can obtain these letters from a visa provider by paying a fee. The approved business invitation letter should be attached to your form.

Health Insurance: Proof of international health insurance is required for a Russian visa. The insurance should also cover travel to the required destination.

Travel Registration: The Russian foreign affairs ministry recommends submitting travel registration for foreigners. The foreigners can submit the registration at an embassy.

Russian Business Visa Charges and Validity

Single-entry visa.

Validity: Up to 90 days

Processing: 10 business days

Embassy Fee: $ 243

Service Fee: $ 209

Total Cost: $ 452

Stay: 30 days

Multiple Entry Visa

Validity: Up to 3 days

Total Cost; $ 452

Stay: 180 days

Double Entry Visa

Is russia open for business.

Over 1000 companies have curtailed their operations in Russia, so doing business in the country is difficult right now. However, some international companies are still operating in Russia so the country is not completely close to business.

However, before you enter Russia, please be vary that you will need to fulfill a few upon-arrival restrictions:

Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid and signed

Valid Visa: Your Russia business visa should be valid

Negative PCR Test: You should take a Covid-19 test prior to arrival, and it should be negative. The test should be taken 72 hours before boarding the plane.

Health Form: The ministry of foreign affairs has stated that those that have Russian citizenship and are arriving in the country by air need to register an electronic health form before they enter the country.

Quarantine: Travels entering Russia without a Covid-19 test will be asked to quarantine. Those that have a permanent work permit will be asked to self-isolate for up to 14 days.

Masks: It is mandatory to wear masks in all public and enclosed places and while traveling on public transport.

There are also three types of business entities in Russia:

Russian legal entity

Joint-stock companies

Private limited companies

How do I get a 3 year Russia

To apply for a three-year tourist visa, you will need to obtain a standard visa support letter. However, for this visa, you will need to specify in the form that you want a three-year long visa.

How to Apply for Russian Visa Online?

You can let VisaHQ handle your Russian visa process. We will get your process started in no time. However, to apply for a visa application online, you will need to follow these steps:

An account is needed if you wish to apply for a business visa online. The account is free of cost, so you won't be charged any amount. Once your account is made, you can fill out the visa application form.

Visa Application Form

The visa application form is a document confirming that you have applied for a business visa to Russia. The form is easy to fill out, but you will need to ensure that all the information you enter is valid. If the information in the form is not valid or up to date, your application will not be approved. You will also need to attach the business invitation letter with this form.

Once your form is complete, you will need to make a payment. You can make the payment through a debit or credit card.

If you have a PayPal account, you can use that to make a payment for Russian visas. Please remember that charges for Russian citizens may vary.

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UK Travel & Entry Rules for Russian Citizens

Anne morris.

• 11 January 2024

IN THIS SECTION

If you are a Russian citizen looking to travel to the UK, either now or in the future, you will need to know whether this is possible and what type of visa you will need. Below we look in detail at the rules on Russian citizens travelling to the UK, providing up-to-date and practical advice in response to the frequently asked question: “Can Russians travel to UK?”

In all cases, however, not least given the current difficulties in getting flights to the UK, you are strongly advised to seek expert advice from an immigration specialist prior to applying.

Can Russian citizens travel to UK?

Although direct flights are not currently available (at the time of writing), so you should plan any travel arrangements accordingly, it is still possible for Russian citizens to travel to UK destinations. However, as a visa national, you will first need to apply for a suitable visa, even if you are only planning a short stay in the UK. This is because under “Appendix Visitor: Visa national list” of the UK’s Immigration Rules, the list of nationalities requiring entry clearance prior to travelling to the UK includes those of Russian nationality.

Importantly, the UK does not offer visa-free travel to Russian nationals. This means that if your passport shows that you are Russian, you will need a UK visa for Russian citizens, where you must apply for entry clearance in advance. This is regardless of the purpose or length of your proposed UK visit, or if you travel to the UK via another country.

UK visitor rules for Russian citizens

The basic UK entry requirements for Russian citizens can be found in “Appendix V: Visitor” of the UK’s Immigration Rules, where any Russian national who would like to visit the UK for the purposes of tourism, or any other permissible activities, will need to apply prior to travel for a Standard Visitor visa. The relevant entry requirements include:

• genuinely seeking entry to the UK for any one of the purposes permitted under the Rules
• not intending to undertake any prohibited activities during your stay in the UK
• being able to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay
• being able to pay the reasonable costs related to your UK visit, without doing paid work or accessing public funds in the UK, including the cost of your return/onward journey
• intending to leave the UK, without overstaying, at the end of your authorised stay
• not be intending to live in the UK for an extended period of time, either through frequent or successive visits, nor be trying to make the UK your main home.

  A Standard Visitor visa will typically be granted for up to 6 months. However, it is possible to apply for a visit visa with a validity period of 2, 5 or 10 years. This will enable you to visit the UK multiple times over the validity of your visa, although each stay in the UK must not be longer than the permitted length of stay endorsed on that visa (usually 6 months).

What activities can Russian citizens undertake as a visitor?

If you are a Russian citizen travelling to the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, you can only engage in those activities permitted under the Visitor Rules. These are set out under “Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities”. These activities include visiting the UK for purposes such as tourism, visiting friends or family, or undertaking a short course of study. You can also carry out unpaid business activities, where permissible activities can include:

• attending meetings, conferences, seminars and interviews in the UK
• giving a one-off or short series of talks and speeches, provided these are not commercial events or arranged to make a profit for the organiser
• negotiating and signing commercial deals or contracts in the UK
• attending UK trade fairs to promote an overseas business, although this can only be for promotional work, where you will be prohibited from directly selling in the UK
• carrying out UK site visits and inspections related to your overseas business
• gathering information in the UK for your overseas employment
• being briefed on the requirements of a UK-based customer, although any work for that customer can only be undertaken outside of the UK
• undertaking activities relating to your employment overseas remotely from within the UK, provided that this is not the primary purpose of your visit.

  With the exception of the permitted activities listed under the Rules, a business visitor must not usually engage in any other employment-related activities in the UK. However, this list is not exhaustive, where other activities, including paid engagements, may be possible.

Can Russian citizens undertake paid engagements on a UK visit?

If you are looking to come to the UK to undertake paid work as a business visitor, you may be able to travel as a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor. The PPE Visitor route merged into the Standard Visitor route in January 2024, meaning that all visitors can now undertake permitted paid engagements in the UK without the need for a special visa.

To be eligible as a PPE Visitor under “Appendix V: Visitor” of the UK’s Immigration Rules, you must be an expert in your profession who is being paid by a UK-based organisation or client to attend a pre-arranged engagement, or series of engagements, directly relating to your area of expertise and occupation in Russia. As a PPE Visitor, any engagement must be arranged prior to you travelling to the UK and evidenced by a formal invitation.

Under the Visitor Rules, a permitted paid engagement can include:

• giving a one-off or short series of talks and speeches at a conference or other event
• examining or assessing students in the UK as a highly-qualified academic
• giving a lecture or series of lectures in your specialised subject area
• assessing UK-based pilots as an overseas pilot examiner
• providing advocacy as a lawyer for a UK-based client in the context of legal proceedings
• carrying out an activity relating to your profession as an artist, entertainer or musician
• carrying out an activity as a professional sportsperson.

  If granted a visa as a PPE Visitor, you may undertake the permitted paid engagements for which your visa is approved, provide these are completed within 30 days of your entry to the UK. This will be the case, even if your Standard Visitor visa is valid for up to 6 months.

UK work visa options for Russian citizens

If you are coming to the UK for a purpose not permitted under the Visitor Rules, the relevant entry requirements will depend on the purpose of your visit. In addition to the Standard Visitor visa, there are various other visa options available to Russian citizens.

Below we set out some of the most popular options when applying for a UK visa:

A Global Business Mobility visa

There are various visa options available to Russian nationals looking to come to the UK to undertake temporary work assignments, including the different visa routes under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) umbrella of the UK’s Immigration Rules. These include:

• Senior or Specialist Worker visa : for senior managers and specialist employees being assigned to a UK business that is linked to their employer’s business overseas
• Graduate Trainee visa : for those on a graduate training course leading to a senior management or specialist position and who are required to do a UK work placement
• UK Expansion Worker visa : for senior managers or specialist employees being assigned to the UK to assist with the expansion of their employer’s business overseas
• Service Supplier visa : for contractual service suppliers employed by overseas service-providers, or self-employed independent professionals based overseas, looking to provide services in the UK covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements
• Secondment Worker visa : for those being seconded to the UK as part of either a high-value contract or investment by their employer overseas.

  There are several general and route-specific requirements for each of the different GBM routes, although these are all sponsored work routes. This means that you must have been assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by an UKVI-approved sponsor prior to applying. Your CoS will contain a unique reference number, providing proof that you meet the relevant requirements for a temporary work assignment on the GBM route in question.

If approved for a GBM visa, the length of time that you will be allowed to stay in the UK will vary, depending on the route for which you are approved for a visa. You may also be able to extend your stay, up to the maximum length of time permitted under each route. The GBM routes do not provide a path to permanent settlement in the UK, although you may be eligible to switch to a different visa route, depending on your circumstances.

The Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa is one of the most popular options for those looking to work in the UK but where that employment is not linked to any existing employment overseas. As with each of the GBM routes, the Skilled Worker route is also a sponsored work route. To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, this means that you would need to be assigned a valid CoS as evidence of a suitable job offer meeting minimum skill and salary requirements.

If approved for a Skilled Worker visa, this can be granted for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. If you want to stay on longer in the UK, you can apply to extend your visa an unlimited number of times, provided you meet the requirements. As a route to settlement, you may also be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years.

The Innovator Founder visa

If you are looking to come to the UK to set up a business, where you intend to oversee the running of that business, you will need to apply for an Innovator Founder visa . The business must be different from anything else on the market. It must also be viable (with potential for growth) and scalable (with the potential to create jobs). Equally, even though this is an unsponsored work route, your business idea must be endorsed by an approved body.

If approved for an Innovator Founder visa, you will be allowed to run that business for up to 3 years. You can also apply to extend your stay for another 3 years once your visa is due to expire. There is no limit on the number of times you can extend, provided you liaise at regular intervals with your endorsing body to show that you are making progress with your business. Alternatively, you may be able to apply for settlement after 3 years on this route.

UK visa for Russian wife or girlfriend

If you are living in the UK and looking for a visa for your Russian wife or girlfriend, there are again various options available, depending on the reason for your loved one coming to the UK and your own immigration status. A UK visa for Russian wives, as well as a UK visa for Russian girlfriends, could come in the form of a Standard Visitor visa if your loved one is only looking to visit you. They may also be able to apply for a dependant or family visa.

Dependant visas

A dependant visa is a derivative visa that will allow the dependent spouse or partner of a primary applicant or principal visa-holder to apply for entry clearance to come to the UK, provided they meet the relevant requirements. This means that if you are an overseas national looking to come to the UK for the purpose of work, or you are already in the UK on a valid work visa, a dependant visa will allow your spouse, civil partner or even an unmarried partner to accompany or join you in the UK. Unmarried couples must have lived together prior to applying for a dependant visa for a period of at least 2 years.

If approved for a dependant visa, for example, as the dependant of a GBM Worker, your loved one’s leave will expire at the same time as yours. However, if you are a Skilled Worker or Innovator Founder applying to settle in the UK, your loved one can also apply.

Family visas

The family visa is a possible long-term option for the Russian wife or girlfriend of either a British citizen or an overseas national already settled in the UK, and is again intended for the spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner of the UK sponsor. Your loved one may also be able to apply for a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa, provided you plan to marry within 6 months of their arrival in the UK. Once the wedding or civil partnership ceremony has taken place, they can then apply to switch to a spouse or civil partner visa.

When applying for a family visa from outside the UK, this will be granted for a period of 2 years and 9 months, or 2 years and 6 months from inside the UK (if switching from a fiancé(e) visa). There is also an option to renew and apply for settlement after 5 years.

Need assistance?

Contact DavidsonMorris’ UK immigration specialists for expert guidance on your UK immigration options and Home Office applications.

Last updated: 12 January 2024

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ How to Re-Apply for a Visa in the UK
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Visa Holder Responsibilities in the UK
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ UK Visa Extension Guide: Step-by-Step
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Work Rights for Migrants with UK Visas

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé(e)) visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Visa applicants must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants applying for K visas. ( Note:   For K visa cases in process at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to October 7, 2013, review the limited exceptions explained in the FAQs below.) 

Review the Frequently Asked Questions for instructions about using the DS-160.

Access the online DS-160 by clicking: Consular Electronic Application Center website .

Important Notice to Visa Applicants: After you have completed the DS-160, you must take these next steps below:

• Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
• You must schedule a visa interview appointment.  (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you.) Visit the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.;
• Pay the visa application processing fee . Review country-specific instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website.

More Information

A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Facts on U.S. Visas

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From the UK to the US: Do UK citizens need a visa to visit the US?

The simple answer is no. British citizens are under an American visa waiver program, meaning you don’t need a US Visa; instead, you need a US ESTA.

What is an ESTA, and what other documents do I need to visit the USA?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an electronic system that helps to determine eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program allows travelers to visit the US without obtaining a visa. This document is for Multiple Entry purposes and allows travelers to stay in the US for 90 days Per Entry, and it remains valid for 2 years after issued.

Read our complete ESTA guide for more details.

How to apply for a US ESTA as a UK Citizen

To apply for an ESTA, you will need your applicant's photo and a scan of the passport's personal details section.

The form we provide is broken down into three easy steps and won't take you longer than 10 minutes to complete:

Step 1. Complete your application form online.

Step 2. Choose the processing option and make payment.

Step 3. Upload your additional documents (if required).

Once you complete all three steps, just submit your application and wait for it to arrive via email. When you choose our services, your ESTA can be ready in as fast as 2 hours, perfect for anyone in a rush.

Cost of a USA ESTA for UK citizens

If you order an ESTA with us, the price of your Electronic System for Travel Authorization will depend on the processing time you choose and your budget. The ESTA isn’t free, but it’s inexpensive. Check the options below:

Standard Processing , ready in 2 days and costing USD $36.49 , is the most economical option available and accessible to everyone if you are planning your trip in advance.

Rush Processing , a quicker option available with a waiting time of just 12 hours for USD $53.49

Super Rush Processing , available in 6 hours for USD $70.99 , is the fastest option available for anyone in a rush to obtain the ESTA.

The ESTA also has a Government fee of USD $21.00 , which you pay with the processing fees when you apply on our site.

Where do I find more information?

Feel free to contact our customer service team or chat with us via WhatsApp if you still have questions about obtaining your ESTA. You can always check our US visa page for more detailed information.

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Electronic visas

E-visas to russia are available to citizens of 52 countries,, as of january 2021 *.

Evisa to Russia latest information: “Russia will not be launching electronic visas to Russia until Covid-19 pandemic ends”  said the official representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department Mr Yuri Gorbatyuk  on the 10th of November 2021.

* Due to the current unprecedented situation with COVID-19 and the restrictions on entry to the Russian Federation still in force, the e-visa will not be available yet from 1 January 2021.

Citizens of 52 countries can be granted electronic visas to Russia, starting from January 2021. The list of countries was signed by the Russian Prime Minister on 7 October 2020.

UK nationals will still have to  obtain a visa prior to travelling to Russia .

Who can travel to Russia with an electronic visa?

List of countries whose citizens can apply for an e-visa to russia: , places in russia which can be visited with an e-visa.

Citizens of the listed countries can visit Russia without any geographical limitations, as of January 2021. An electronic visa gives the right to arrive at any border control point in any Russian region and travel anywhere across the country for up to 16 days.

Number of days you are allowed to stay on an electronic visa

Extending the list of eligible countries, other information about e-visas to russia.

• E-visas let you stay for up to 16 days. The date of arrival and date of departure from Russia are counted as whole days. For example: if you arrive on 1 January 2022 at 10.00pm, you must leave the country by 16 January by 11.59 pm.
• An e-visa is valid for 30 days from the date of approval. You must leave the country by the last date of visa validity, even if your stay is less than 16 days.
• The e-visa cannot be extended or renewed from Russia.
• The e-visa can have the following purpose of entry: tourist, business, humanitarian (cultural relations). If your purpose of travel is different, you must obtain a normal visa before travelling.
• E-visas are normally issued within 4 days.
• An application for an e-visa can be submitted not earlier than 20 days before the date of travel, but no later than 4 days before the date of entry.
• If your passport is missing your date of birth, you need to obtain a normal visa before travelling.
• All children travelling with parents must have their own e-visas before travelling.
• Your passport must be valid for 6 months minimum from the date of travel to apply for a Russian e-visa.
• All travellers arriving on e-visas to Russia must be in possession of a valid travel insurance certificate for the whole period of stay.
• You cannot combine normal and e-visas to extend the validity of your normal visa.
• E-visas will not guarantee entry to the Russian Federation. The border control will carry out standard checks and interviews for all visitors arriving in Russia.

List of 29 checkpoints (border crossing locations) approved for e-Visa holders

Airports approved for russian electronic visa entry:.

• Belgorod  International Airport
• Volgograd  International Airport
• Yekaterinburg  Koltsovo International Airport
• Kazan  International Airport
• Krasnodar  International Airport (Pashkovsky Airport)
• Krasnoyarsk  International Airport
• Moscow   Vnukovo  International Airport
• Moscow   Domodedovo  Airport
• Moscow Sheremetyevo  Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport
• Nizhny Novgorod  Strigino International Airport
• Novosibirsk  Tolmachevo Airport
• Rostov-on-Don  Platov International Airport
• Samara  Kurumoch International Airport
• St Petersburg  Pulkovo Airport

Railway border control checkpoints approved for Russian electronic visa entry:

• Kaliningrad  Region Pogranichny
• Khasan , Primorsky Krai

Maritime (seaports) border control checkpoints approved for Russian electronic visa entry:

• St Petersburg  – Marine Station (Big Port)
• Vladivostok
• Passenger Port of  St Petersburg

Land (road, by car, bus etc) border control checkpoints approved for Russian electronic visa entry:

• Bagrationovsk  (Kaliningrad Region)
• Gusev  (Kaliningrad Region)
• Ivangorod  (Leningrad Region)
• Mamonovo  Grzechotki (Kaliningrad Region)
• Mamonovo  Gronovo (Kaliningrad Region)
• Morskoe  (Morskoje) (Kaliningrad Region)
• Sovetsk  (Kaliningrad Region)
• Ubylinka  (Pskov Region)

Land (on foot) border control checkpoints approved for Russian electronic visa entry:

• Ivangorod  border crossing point

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Student visa

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

• have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
• have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
• can speak, read, write and understand English
• have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

If you’re 16 or 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

Applying from inside the UK

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How long you can stay

How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed in the UK.

If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Read the guidance to find out exactly how long you can stay .

Staying longer in the UK

You may be able to:

• extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK
• switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
• switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive before your course starts. This can be either:

• up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less
• up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months

You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts.

• £490 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
• £490 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK

You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

Your partner and children

You may be able to bring your partner and children (‘dependants’) .

What you can and cannot do

• work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work - how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You cannot:

• claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
• work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
• be self-employed
• study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

If your application is successful, you’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.

Part of Study in the UK on a Student visa

Step 1 : check if this visa is right for you.

You can apply for a Student visa if you’re 16 or over and want to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

• You are currently viewing: Check what you can and cannot do on this visa
• Check what courses you can study on this visa
• Check if you can bring your partner or children ('dependants') with you

If you're under 18 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

• Check which visas you're eligible for

Step 2 : Prepare the evidence you need

• Check what documents you can use as evidence
• Prove your knowledge of the English language
• Check if you need a tuberculosis (TB) test

If you're doing a masters degree or above, you may need to apply for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

• Check if you need to apply for ATAS

Step 3 : Apply from outside the UK

• Apply from outside the UK £490

You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

• Find out if you can pay more to get a faster decision

or Apply from inside the UK

• Apply to extend if you're already in the UK on Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) visa) £490
• Apply to switch to this visa if you're already in the UK £490

You'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

• You may be able to pay more to get a faster decision you’ll be told if you can when you apply

Step 4 : Check what you can bring into the UK with you

• Check what you can bring in your hand luggage
• Check what to do if you're bringing cash with you
• Check what goods you can bring with you
• Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

Step 5 : Check what you need to show at the UK border

• Check what you need to show at the UK border

Step 6 : After you arrive in the UK

• Find out how to get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you were told you’d get one when you applied

You might be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK.

• Check if you can extend your visa

If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to come to the UK again.

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