Applying for a UK visa
from Russia?

7 June 2023

Individuals applying for a UK visa from Russia should be aware that there are currently severe service disruptions impacting visa application centres across the country.

As part of the application process for a UK visa, most applicants must attend an appointment at a visa application centre in the country they are applying from, to prove their identity and submit their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).

However, there are currently very limited biometric appointments available across all UKVI locations in Russia:

  • Moscow
  • St. Petersburg
  • Ekaterinburg
  • Rostov-on-Don
  • Novosibirsk.

All additional visa services have also been temporarily suspended, including:

  • Flexi appointments
  • Keep my passport service
  • Priority visa service (non-settlement)
  • Priority visa service (settlement)
  • Premium lounge
  • Prime time appointments

UK visa application centres in Russia

UK Visa Application Centres in Russia are run by TLScontact, a commercial partner engaged by the Home Office to provide UK visa services overseas.

Applicants who are waiting for an appointment are advised to check availability with their chosen centre on a daily basis as new appointments may be made available sporadically due to cancellations by other applicants.

The TLScontact website currently hosts a message stating that for urgent compassionate situations, applicants can contact the visa centre directly. However, Smith Stone Walters has so far received no response when making such requests on behalf of our clients.

For this reason, we advise all applicants in Russia to be prepared for delays to their UK visa application process until the current situation improves.

Help with your UK visa application

Smith Stone Walters continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates in due course. To stay up to date with the latest immigration news and views, please sign up to our free news service.

Or to discuss a specific immigration enquiry, please contact us today. Our team of immigration advisors would be happy to help.

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