By country
Russia invitation letter from United Kingdom
Required. British passports are not eligible for the unified Russian e-visa.
- E-visa open to this passport
- No
- Invitation required
- Always, for every consular category
- Consular fee
- Set by the Embassy of Russia in London; check the current consular section notice.
- Processing
- Appointment plus several working days; peak summer slots in London run out early.
Section 1How the invitation is used in United Kingdom
Order the invitation, then complete visa.kdmid.ru using the organisation name and both numbers from the PDF.
London filings are document-heavy. Keep the invitation, insurance and photo specs in one envelope; the invitation is still the item that unlocks the form.
If you live in Ireland or will transit via a third country, you still file by residence rules — the invitation itself is nationality-agnostic.
Section 2Where to file
Russian missions in United Kingdom accept the invitation as part of the consular file. Check which post covers your place of residence before booking, because jurisdiction is by address and not by convenience.
| City | Post | Notes on the invitation |
|---|---|---|
| London | Embassy | The only Russian visa post in the UK. PDF tourist invitations are the normal attachment. |
Section 3What to copy into the application form
Four fields move from the invitation to the application form. Transcribe them character for character; mismatches here are the most common reason a file is returned before it is assessed.
| Field on the application form | Where it sits on the invitation |
|---|---|
| Organisation name | Host company |
| Reference / PTO | Registry number |
| Confirmation number | Invitation ID |
| Purpose | Tourism — must match the visa category |
Section 4Mistakes that recur here
- Assuming post-Brexit travellers can use the EU e-visa list. They cannot.
- Shortening double-barrelled surnames on the invitation.
- Using a company letter from a UK employer as if it were a Russian invitation.
Section 5Which route applies to you
Holders of this passport have one route into Russia, and it always needs an invitation.
- An invitation is mandatory for this passport in every consular category, so the document is the first thing to secure.
- Choose the category that matches your trip: tourist confirmation and voucher for leisure travel, or a business invitation for meetings and contracts.
- Budget with the breakdown of invitation and consular fees and plan around current issuing times.
- When the document arrives, verify its registry number before you book a consular appointment.
Section 6Countries in the same position
These passports are also outside the e-visa scheme, so an invitation is required for every trip.
Important
An invitation letter is a supporting document. It does not guarantee a visa: consular officers decide every application.
Questions
Does the London embassy accept emailed invitations?
Yes, as a printed PDF. You do not wait for a paper original from Russia for a tourist invitation.
Can I apply in a Schengen country with a UK passport?
Usually you apply where you reside. The invitation stays valid; the post’s jurisdiction is a separate rule.
Sources
Rules and fees on this page are checked against the primary authorities below. Where they disagree with us, they are correct.