Update on visa delays for Russian nationals

AuthorCaroline Sykes

Russian and Belarusian visa applicants are experiencing significant delays in UK visa application processing times. Although the UK has not suspended applications from nationals of Russia and Belarus, applicants should expect long delays.

Applicants from Russia and Belarus are subject to further security checks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many European countries temporarily suspended visas for Russian citizens in 2022. The UK has not taken this step, however various factors are contributing to ongoing delays:

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

Home Office delays have hit the news this week with Russian and Belarusian tennis players fearing they could miss Wimbledon if their visas are not issued in time. It is likely that the upcoming Student visa application season could see processing times slow further.

The delays apply for both entry clearance applications to come to the UK and in-country applications to extend permission to remain in the UK.

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