To receive a tourist invitation to Russia, please indicate your citizenship. You will be provided with a registration form. Fill in all the fields carefully, then proceed to the next step to confirm and pay for your invitation.
How Long Does a Russian Visa Invitation Take for British Citizens?
The invitation and the Russian visa are separate stages. The tourist voucher and confirmation are sent by the operator after payment and any required review; the London or Edinburgh filing route and the visa decision remain with the responsible visa centre and Russian consular office. British citizens are not eligible for the unified e-visa, so confirm the current UK filing route before setting the timetable.
Need a tourist invitation for a regular Russian visa? Order only after checking that this is the correct route for your trip.
Order a Tourist Invitation — from $19Official tour operator (PTO 015681) · PDF by email · Verify the current filing rules for your location
Where to submit your Russian visa application
After preparing your tourist voucher and application, choose the city where you will file. Each page explains the confirmed local submission route and links to the official source.
Continue with the United Kingdom visa route
Use the country hub to choose between the e-visa and regular tourist visa. Order an invitation only when the regular visa route requires it.
Official sources for this guide
Visa rules and local procedures can change. Check the responsible Russian mission or MFA service before filing.
Separate operator delivery from the visa process
A registered Russian tour operator prepares the tourist voucher and confirmation. The document-delivery estimate shown during checkout applies only to that operator stage; it is not a promise about appointment availability, biometric submission, consular review or passport return.
The Russian Embassy states that visa application centres operate in London and Edinburgh and that the consular offices retain the decision to issue or refuse the visa. Plan these stages independently and recheck the receiving centre before travel.
| Stage | Who controls it | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist invitation | Registered Russian tour operator | Checkout estimate, passport data, dates and entry request |
| Application submission | London or Edinburgh visa-centre route | Current appointment, biometrics and document instructions |
| Visa decision | Russian consular office | Current checklist, processing and passport return |
Build the UK timetable in the right order
Start with a stable passport and travel window. British citizens are not on the unified e-visa route, so the regular tourist-visa file needs the appropriate tourist support documents before submission.
Choose London or Edinburgh from the current official instructions, then make passport, application and invitation data consistent. Leave practical buffer and avoid non-refundable commitments until the filing route is confirmed.
- Review the official London and Edinburgh route
- Use the delivery estimate shown during checkout
- Match passport, invitation and application data
- Treat appointment and consular processing as separate stages
Need a tourist invitation for a regular Russian visa? Order only after checking that this is the correct route for your trip.
Order a Tourist Invitation — from $19Official tour operator (PTO 015681) · PDF by email · Verify the current filing rules for your location
Frequently asked questions
Can British citizens use the Russian unified e-visa?
No. The Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh explicitly states that British citizens are not eligible.
Is the invitation delivered together with the visa?
No. The invitation is prepared by a tour operator; the visa application is submitted and decided separately.
Where are Russian visa applications handled in the UK?
The Russian Embassy identifies visa application centres in London and Edinburgh. Check the current instructions for the selected route.
Does an invitation guarantee visa issuance?
No. The Russian consular office reviews the complete application and makes the decision.
Should I book travel before the visa timetable is clear?
Confirm the current filing route and allow practical buffer before making commitments that cannot be changed.
Need a tourist invitation for a regular Russian visa? Order only after checking that this is the correct route for your trip.
Order a Tourist Invitation — from $19Official tour operator (PTO 015681) · PDF by email · Verify the current filing rules for your location
Related guides and services
Last updated: 2026-09-04. Information verified against consular requirements current at the date of update.