Getting a Russian visa in London is no different than getting it anywhere else in the United Kingdom, except you will have to submit the documents at the Consulate or at the Russian visa application centre (VFS) in London.
As a citizen of the UK, if you plan to visit Russia, you will need to obtain a visa first. The process of obtaining the visa may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but once you follow the simple steps below, it can be actually done in just a couple of days.
How to apply for a Russian visa in London?
Before taking your documents to the Consulate or the Visa Centre, you have to decide on a few things first:
- What type of visa do you need? (tourist/business/private/student)
- How long do you plan to stay in Russia?
- In which cities will you stay during your trip?
Time needed: 3 days.
Follow the steps below and get your visa in a couple of days.
- Make sure you have a valid passport
Before applying for the visa, make sure that you have a valid passport. The document has to be in good condition, no missing pages, stains, and other serious damage is allowed. The passport has to be valid at least 6 months after your planned exit from Russia.
- Get an invitation
Depending on the type of visa you plan to apply for, you will need an appropriate invitation. It is a document that proves the purpose of your trip. You can either get it from the hotel you booked, or from a Russian tourism agency.
- Fill in the online visa application form
After you gathered all the necessary documents, you are ready to start the application process itself. The application has to be completed online, on the official site ( https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx ). Make sure the information from your invitation and visa application form are the same.
- Print the application form
After you’ve finished filling in the form, download it as a PDF file, then print it.
- Sign the application and glue a passport-size photo
Sign the application form by hand and glue a recent passport-sized photo.
- Submit the application
Go to the Russian Embassy or the Russian Visa Application Office in London and submit your printed application form alongside your passport. Pay the consular fees and wait for the answer.