I hope to bring my Russian girlfriend to the UK for August,on a tourist visa, she seems to think it is very difficault for her to get one, and even thinks she may have to go to Moscow for an interview, which i doubt.
Can anyone tell me the general proceedure or have any tips?
Cheers in advance
zeeco:
your girlfriend is correct in thinking it is difficult to obtain a tourist visa for the UK.Not impossible mind just very difficult.Before I got married I tried the tourist visa route too,and was appalled at the restrictions the UK authorities impose before they issue one.By far the easier method is to apply for a fiance visa,and even then you must meet a great deal of criteria,such as proof of a relationship (photo's,phone bills,letters and evidence of at least one meeting between you and your girl.
Applying for a fiance visa does not rule further applications should you decide not to marry,although it will be even more difficult to apply for your present girlfriend twice!
These visas can only be issued in Moscow,or the British Consulate in Ekaterinburg,so some travel will be needed depending on where your lady lives.
Good luck with your application whichever you decide on.
It all depends on how long you have know each other , if you have traveled together to other countrys etc,
If you have traveled together to other countrys over the past couple of years you will more than likly get one,
If you have only meet here in her own country once or twice , your chances are low,
yiu will be able to get a fiancie Visa , its more expensive but if you are serious about the girl, you will have to go down that route soon or later and might as well go for it now
I got a tourist visa for the UK without any problems but, we had been together for 2 yaer and traveled alot over that time, and living here and owning property here made a big differnce as neither of us wanted to stay in the UK for long, but the avarge guy will find it hard to get a tourist vusa for the UK