A Guide For Moving To The UK From Russia

Table Of Content

1. UK Visitor Visa for Russian Nationals
2. UK Visitor Visa for Russian Girlfriend/Boyfriend
3. Requirements for UK Visitor Visa for Russian Nationals
4. UK Work Visas for Russian Nationals
5. Global Business Mobility Visa
6. UK Skilled Worker for Russian Nationals
7. UK Innovator Founder Visa
8. UK Spouse Visa
9. UK Fiancé Visa
10. UK Student Visa
11. General Documents Required for Russian Nationals
12. Implication of Russia-Ukraine War on Immigration Process

In the context of the Russia-Ukraine war UK posed various economic sanctions on Russia but it has not stopped issuing visas to Russian nationals applying for moving to the UK from Russia. Russian Nationals can enter, live, study, and work in the UK. However, they need to apply for a suitable valid visa depending on their purpose of coming to the UK.  

UK Visitor Visa for Russian Nationals

Russia is included in the list of ‘Visa National’ countries. All Visa Nationals require a visa to enter the UK. So, the UK does not offer visa-free entry to Russian nationals as well no matter what is the purpose of their visit to the UK.

Any Russian National looking to visit the UK for a short period needs to apply for a UK Visitor Visa even if they want to travel to the UK via another country. A UK visitor visa allows you to visit the UK usually for a period of up to 6 months for purposes such as tourism, business, medical treatment, meeting family and friends, doing a short-term course, permitted paid engagements, etc.

UK Visitor Visa for Russian Girlfriend/Boyfriend

So, if you are a Russian National and you have a girlfriend or boyfriend in the UK, you can apply for a UK visitor visa to meet them.

Requirements for UK Visitor Visa for Russian Nationals

Russian Nationals looking to apply for entry clearance to visit the UK for purposes mentioned here need to meet the following visa requirements:

• Your purpose of the visit is for one of the activities permitted under the Rules.
• You have enough funds to pay for the costs related to your UK visit, supporting yourself during your stay in the UK, and the cost of your return/onward journey without doing any paid or unpaid job or accessing public funds.  
• You must intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• You have no intention to live in the UK for an extended period through frequent or successive visits or trying to make the UK your main home.

UK Work Visas for Russian Nationals

If you are a Russian national looking to work in the UK temporarily or for a long term there are various work visa options available to you.

Global Business Mobility Visa

This is a sponsored worker route which means an approved UK-based company must assign you a certificate of sponsorship. Without a COS you cannot apply for a GBM Visa route. You also need to meet other requirements specific to each visa route under the GBM Visa category. This route is available to you if you are an employee of an overseas company and your purpose of moving to the UK from Russia includes but is not limited to one of the following.

• UK Expansion Worker Visa – You are being sent to the UK as a senior manager or specialist of a Russia-based company to expand their business in the UK,
• UK Service Supplier Visa –To provide services in the UK to a company with whom you have a contract covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements
• UK Secondment Worker Visa – You are being seconded to the UK as part of either a high-value contract or investment by your employer in Russia.

UK Skilled Worker for Russian Nationals

This visa is for skilled foreign workers including Russian Nationals applying to work for a UK-based company in a specific job role. UK Skilled Worker Visa is a point-based visa. You need to earn at least 70 points for a UK Skilled Worker Visa. Points are awarded for meeting certain criteria such as the job offered, salary offered, educational qualification, Knowledge of the English language, etc. You also need a certificate of sponsorship from an approved sponsor.

You can be granted a stay of up to 5 years in the UK on this visa.

UK Innovator Founder Visa

This is a visa category for entrepreneurs. If you have a unique and innovative business plan that has been endorsed by an authorized body, you can apply for this visa. If your visa is approved, you will be allowed to run your business in the UK for 3 years initially after which you can apply for an extension or indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

UK Spouse Visa

If you are a Russian National and you are a wife husband or civil partner of a person who is either a British Citizen or is with settled status such as ILR you can apply to join them in the UK. To do this, you need to apply for a UK spouse visa or UK partner visa under the UK family visa category. Your spouse/civil partner in the UK must sponsor you for this visa.

UK Fiancé Visa

If you are a girlfriend or boyfriend engaged with a British Citizen or one with a settled status you can apply for a UK fiancé visa. You must intend to marry your partner within six months after you arrive in the UK. Your fiancé in the UK has to sponsor you in this case.

UK Student Visa

All Russian Students above the age of 18 looking to study in the UK need to apply for a UK Student Visa.

If you are a student below the age of 18 looking to study in a UK school you can apply for UK Child Student Visa.

There are other visa categories such as UK Dependent Visa (For dependent spouse or children) which allow Russian Nationals for moving to the UK from Russia.

General Documents Required for Russian Nationals

Apart from meeting eligibility criteria depending on which visa type you are applying for you also need to submit visa-specific documents. However, there are certain documents that each applicant has to submit irrespective of the visa type.

• A valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Biometric information taken at a Visa Application Centre in Russia
• Proof of financial capability such as a bank statement
• Police Certificate for clean criminal record
• TB test certificate and medical examination

Implication of Russia-Ukraine War on Immigration Process

Though certain numbers of Russian individuals and entities are subject to UK sanctions, the UK has not suspended issuing visas to Russian Nationals despite putting economic sanctions on Russia after the Russia-Ukraine war outbreak.

But there is certainly a delay in processing the visa applications of the Russian Nationals looking to move to the UK from Russia.

Russian Nationals are required to pass the English Language test before applying for a UK visa. However, in Russia, English Language Testing Centers are largely suspended. This is one reason for the delay in the application process.

Another reason for the delay is that TB testing locations and visa application centers in Russia are facing lengthy appointment wait times.