Moving to the UK from Russia

What Russian Citizens Moving to the UK Need to Know

Many Russian citizens move to the UK via different visa routes. There are several UK visas suitable if you are coming to study, work, or live. 

The requirements for these visas vary, but generally, you must prove your identity, show you have enough finances to support yourself, and demonstrate your intent to leave the UK when the visa expires unless you plan to apply for permanent residence.

If you wish to stay permanently in the UK, you must apply for a visa that can lead to residency, such as a Family Visa. After five years with certain visas, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), allowing you to remain in the UK permanently.

UK Visas and Permanent Residence Options for Russians

There are many types of visas that Russians can apply for to immigrate to the UK, each with its own requirements and eligibility.

Visitor Visas

If you are planning to visit the UK for a temporary ir short period, then you will need to apply for a visitor visa. This visa enables you to stay for up to six months for leisure, business, or receive private medical treatment. 

There are diferent types of visitor visas, including Standard Visitor Visa, Business Visitor Visa, Marriage Visitor Visa, and Parent of a Child Student Visa.

Business and Work UK Visas

There are many types of business visas and the most suitable will depend on your plans

• Global Talent Visa –  for leaders or potential leaders in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, digital technology, humanities and the performing arts. You can stay in the UK for up to five years, and it could provide a route to settlement.
• Skilled Worker Visa – for those with a job offer in the UK and who meet the minimum skill level and English language requirements for the visa. You can stay in the UK for up to five years, and it can provide a route to settlement.
• Innovator Founder Visa – suitable for entrepreneurs looking to set up an innovative business in the UK. Applicants must have a business idea that has been endorsed by an authorised body. You can develop and expand a business in the UK with this type of visa. If you are successful, there is the potential for permanent residency.
• Global Business Mobility Visa – for workers transferred to the UK by their employer. It is typically issued for up to five years.
• Sole Representative Visa – for employees of overseas companies who want to start a UK branch or subsidiary, and this route can lead to permanent residency.
• Scale-Up Visa – for highly skilled individuals with a job offer by a fast-growing UK-owned business. It can lead to permanent residency after five years.
• Temporary Worker Visa – for people who want to come to the UK for short-term work, including charity, creative, religious, or sports-related work. There is a requirement that an organisation or employer must sponsor you, and the visa is issued for 6-24 months.

Student Visas

Student visas are necessary if you want to study in the UK. The type of student visa you will require depends on your age and the course you are undertaking.

• Student Visa – for students over 18 who want to study in the UK.
• Child Student Visa – for children under 18 who want to study in the UK.
• Short-Term Study Visa – for people who want to come to the UK for a short English language course.

Family Visas

If you have family already residing in the UK, you could apply for a family visa.

• Spouse or Partner Visa – for Russians who are married to someone or in a civil partnership with someone already residing in the UK permanently. This visa is for up to 30 months with this visa, but it can be extended and is a route to permanent settlement.
• Fiance Visa – for those engaged to a UK resident and would like to enter the country to get married and settle.
• Dependant Visa – for a spouse, partner, or child of someone in the UK who is on a qualifying work or student visa to join them in the UK.
• Family Reunion Visa – for family members of refugees in the UK or people who have been granted asylum.
• Unmarried Partner Visa – for Russians who have been in a relationship with a permanent resident of the UK for at least two years but who are not currently married or in a civil partnership.

If you are unsure which visa type suits you best, contact our specialist immigration lawyers at IAS today at +44 (0)333 414 9244. We can ensure you apply for the correct visa, increasing your chance of success. 

UK Visa Eligibility Requirements for Russians

Eligibility requirements for UK visas vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Certain types of visas may have additional requirements; for example, work visas usually require a job offer from an approved sponsor in the UK, and you might have to meet a certain salary threshold. 

Study visas require official acceptance into a recognised educational institution and course. You must also show sufficient funds to cover all your course fees and living expenses while residing in the UK.

Family visas require you to prove you have a genuine relationship with someone settled in the UK. This could be done through photos, testimonies from other people, or social media proof.

As a Russian national, an English language proficiency test from an officially recognised body is often mandatory except for short tourist visits.

Whilst there are some variations for specific visa types, all applicants must adhere to the following requirements and be able to provide evidence to support their application. 

General Documents for UK Visa Applications from Russia

Generally, you will need to provide proof of the following documents if you intend to immigrate from Russia to the UK:

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Biometric information taken at a Visa Application Centre
• Proof of financial means, such as a bank statement
• Accommodation details and confirmation
• Letter of invitation if visiting family, friends, or for business
• Current employment status or contract
• Travel insurance covering your entire stay
• Travel itinerary
• Previous travel history
• Clean criminal record
• TB test certificate and medical examination 

Having the correct documents is essential to ensure your application is not delayed. To help ensure you have all the necessary documents for a smooth and successful visa application, contact IAS today at +44 (0)333 414 9244.

UK Visa Application Process for Russian Nationals

Most applications to immigrate to the UK can be completed and paid for online. To complete an online UK visa application, you will need to visit the GOV.UK website and select the right visa type for your situation. At IAS, we can guide you through every step of the application process to ensure you include the right information and have a smooth process. 

Once you have completed your application and paid the fee, you must prove your identity, provide documents showing your eligibility, and enrol your biometric information at a local immigration centre. 

If you are applying from Russia or another country outside the UK, you will have to attend an appointment at an overseas visa application centre (VAC) or at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point if you are applying from within the UK.

You will get a link to the VAC website, where you can schedule an appointment to provide your biometrics, which are your fingerprints and photograph. At this appointment, you can also give evidence in support of your visa application unless you have already uploaded this in your online application. 

If you are applying for a Partner Visa, you may need to provide your marriage certificate or proof of your relationship with your UK sponsor at this appointment.

You will then need to wait for your application to be processed. The time varies based on visa type, individual circumstances, and whether you have paid extra for priority services. This costs £500, and your application should be decided within five working days.

If your visa application is successful, your passport will contain a visa sticker. Depending on where you applied, you will be notified online when your passport is ready to be collected from the VAC outside of the UK or within the UK. 

If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. For further support in dealing with a rejection, reach out to an immigration specialist for advice on the next steps. 

UK Visa Fees for Russians

The visa fee depends on the type of visa you are applying for and whether you are switching to a different type. 

A Russian Visitor Visa can cost between £127 and £1059, with a single entry 30-day visa costing £395, and a double entry 90-day visa costing £515.

Some visa categories have tiered fees which depend on how long you wish to stay. For example, a Skilled Worker Visa application for over three years will cost £1,519, while for under three years, it costs £769.

The visa fee for a Spouse Visa to the UK is £1,938 for out-of-country applications and £1,321 for in-country applications if you are applying after you’ve been in the UK on a different visa.

You must remember that there could be extra charges on top of these application fees that you must budget for. This includes an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge to access the NHS, which is currently £1035 per year.

UK Visa Processing Time for Russian citizens Moving to the UK

The amount of time it takes to gain a visa will depend on the type of visa and whether you are applying from overseas or within the UK.

For example, a family visa application from overseas could take up to 24 weeks but might only take eight weeks from within the UK. In contrast, a work visa will take approximately three weeks when applying overseas and three weeks from the UK.

However, you should be aware Russian and Belarusian visa applicants are currently experiencing significant delays in UK visa application processing times. Unlike many EU countries, the UK has not suspended applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals, but applicants should expect long delays.

Applicants from Russia and Belarus are being subjected to further security checks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Various factors are contributing to ongoing delays in visa processing times:

• Additional security checks
• TB testing location availability 
• A shortage of visa application centre appointments
• English language testing availability

Considerations when Moving to and Living in the UK as a Russian Citizen

When moving to the UK from Russia, there are many things to consider, including where to live, housing, utilities, business opportunities, the education system, how public transport works, and the cost of living.

Location and Housing

Considering where to move to in the UK can be challenging and overwhelming. The capital city of London is probably the most popular place with Russian expats in the UK.

London has a strong job market and is known as a cultural capital. It is full of history and offers opportunities to connect with people who have similar backgrounds or language abilities.

However, London is not for everyone, and many people prefer to live away from the capital or work in London but live on the outskirts and commute daily. The cost of housing outside of London will also be significantly less, so this is something to consider.

Other popular areas for living in the UK include Manchester, Leeds, Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

Many people who first move to the UK choose to rent first before buying a house. You can generally expect to find rented properties furnished or partially furnished. If not, charity shops are a great source of cheap furniture.

Utilities

In most living situations, whether rented or bought, you will be expected to manage your own gas, electricity, and water services. These are usually already set up, and it is just a case of updating your name and accounts with the service provider. You should compare prices with different service providers first to get the best and cheapest service.

Finding a job

The UK has many job industries, such as banking and finance, agriculture, oil and gas, and industry and tourism.

Many recruitment agents can help you find a job, but you can also search different websites and job boards. To maximise your chances of success in a job application, consider taking an English language course to improve your language ability and confidence.

Education

If you are moving to the UK with your family, you may need to consider school admission for your children. There are four levels of education – early years that you attend from ages 3-4, primary education from ages 5-11, secondary education from ages 11-18, and further education such as university or apprenticeship.

The leading school examinations in England are the GCSEs, followed by A-levels, with equivalents under varying systems in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. All children aged between five and 18 in the UK are entitled to a free place at a state school.

To decide which school to enrol your children in, you might want to look at how different schools are achieving, or you might want to base your search around where you live and which school is closest.

Public transport in the UK

The UK is generally well-connected, with public transport connecting most towns and cities. National and regional services run frequently, except in smaller villages.

It is easy to get around London and large cities. The underground tube system in London is renowned, and buses travel often around and between cities.

Like anywhere in the world, if you’re travelling at peak times, you should expect delays or busy public transport. 

Long-term Plans for Russian Citizens Already in the UK

Suppose you are already in the UK on a short-term visa that is about to expire. In that case, you may be considering settling in the UK permanently, gaining a residence permit and eventually becoming a UK citizen. This could be for several reasons, such as to avoid conscription or persecution.

Some short-term visas, such as the Skilled Worker, allow for an extension. However, if you are seeking to avoid persecution in Russia, you may want to consider applying for asylum in the UK.

To apply for asylum, you must prove and give your account that you are facing persecution in Russia based on the definition of who a refugee is. A valid asylum claim would include facing persecution for being a member of a specific social group that is under threat from discrimination or due to any political activism against the Russian government.

IAS can help you determine what legal pathway you qualify for to extend your visa in the UK and become a potential permanent citizen of the UK. 

How Can IAS Help?

Contacting our specialist immigration lawyers at IAS today can save you time and money. Understanding the legal routes available to you can be challenging. It might delay or even reject your application for immigrating to the UK from Russia, temporarily or permanently. 

We offer a wide range of services and immigration specialists who can ensure you understand the complete eligibility requirements and criteria of the work permit you qualify for.

Our team at IAS understands the importance of the application and that it might be essential to your move, whether temporary or permanent, from Russia to the UK. We will work with you to make each step of the process easier for you. Contact us today by calling +44 (0)333 414 9244 or use our online chat.