🇬🇧 United Kingdom visa requirements for Russian citizens
Yes — Russian citizens need a visa to enter United Kingdom, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for Russia passport holders
Russian citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to United Kingdom. Applications generally go through a United Kingdom embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official United Kingdom immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The Russian passport ranks #76 worldwide, opening 117 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (78 visa-free, 33 with a visa on arrival and 6 with an eTA). United Kingdom is not among them — it is one of the 62 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
The arrangement is reciprocal: British citizens traveling to Russia face the same requirement (visa required).
Northern Europe is closed to spontaneous travel for Russian passport holders: none of its 10 destinations can be entered without an application first.
About United Kingdom
- Capital
- London
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Currency
- British pound (£)
- Languages
- English
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Frequently asked questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa for United Kingdom?
Yes — Russian citizens need a visa to enter United Kingdom, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in United Kingdom?
The currency in United Kingdom is the British pound (£). The capital city is London.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for Russian citizens traveling to United Kingdom. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the United Kingdom embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Europe for Russian passport holders
Going the other way? Russia visa requirements for British citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.