How Long Does It Take to Apply for a Russian Visa in the UK?

Applying for a Russian visa can vary in time depending on the urgency and type of visa you require. Here’s a quick overview to help UK residents understand the process:

A rush visa issuance is feasible only with a copy of an invitation from the General Directorate for Migration of the Russian Ministry of the Interior or a FAX directed to the Russian Embassy in London. This document is required to facilitate a rush visa for any type of visa application.

For annual visas, either rush or express processing at the Russian Embassy in London is contingent upon receiving an invitation from the General Directorate for Migration of the Russian Ministry of the Interior or a FAX sent to the Russian Embassy in London. Without this specific document, the desired processing times are unattainable. Furthermore, the invitation must clearly indicate that a multiple-entry annual visa is being requested. More information about the Russian visa invitation can be found here.

This table shows the processing time associated with each type of invitation for your Russian visa. It also indicates whether the invitation needs to be presented in original or copy form: Apply For a Conventional Visa to Russia