United Kingdom
Russia
Russia visa for British citizens
Entry requirement
British citizens need a visa for Russia, obtained before travel.
- Where to apply
- 3 missions
- Visa guide
- Russia visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at london.mid.ru
Which Russia visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to six months
- Processing time
- Set by the Russian mission where you apply; urgent processing costs more.
Processing time, as Russia states it: Set by the Russian mission where you apply; urgent processing costs more. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to six months.
Russian missions in the United Kingdom
- Embassy of Russia in London
Kensington Palace Gardens 6-7, London
- Consulate General of Russia in Edinburgh
Melville Street 58, Edinburgh
- Consulate of Russia in London
Kensington Palace Gardens 4-5, London
All missions of Russia in the United Kingdom
Russia has 3 missions in the United Kingdom, with its embassy in London. Consulates: Edinburgh and London.
Russian citizens travelling to the United Kingdom
RussiaUnited Kingdom Visa required United Kingdom visa for citizens of Russia
Travel advice for Russia
- US State Department Level 4: Do not travel
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) Advises against all travel to the whole country
- German Foreign Office Travel warning for the whole country (Reisewarnung)
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
British citizens planning a trip to Russia can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Russia at Level 4, do not travel (updated 28 December 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to Russia (updated 18 September 2026) and the German Foreign Office has a travel warning (Reisewarnung) for Russia (updated 21 October 2026).
Good to know
How long British citizens can stay in Russia
How long British citizens may stay in Russia is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How British citizens apply
In the United Kingdom, applications go to the Russian embassy in London and the consulates in Edinburgh and London, or to a visa centre acting for Russia; fees, documents and processing times are published by Russia.
Russia’s neighbours for British citizens
Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Mongolia and Norway admit British citizens visa-free. China and North Korea require British citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Russian citizens travelling to the United Kingdom
Russian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, obtained before travel. The rule is the same in both directions between the United Kingdom and Russia.
Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for Russia?
British citizens need a visa for Russia, obtained before travel.
Where is the Russian embassy in the United Kingdom?
The Russian embassy in the United Kingdom is in London; there are also consulates in Edinburgh and London.
Do Russian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Russian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, obtained before travel.
Can British citizens enter Russia visa-free?
No; British citizens need a visa for Russia obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.