UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Russian national applicant written by UK Immigration Lawyer Mr Saleh Begh

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1. Your nationality and residence : British (United Kingdom)

2. Your partner nationality and residence : Russian (Russia) РоссийскаяФедерация

The information and document checklist below is for you, if you are a British citizen (or holding UK permanent residence) and your partner is a Russian national.

You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация.

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - Russia РоссийскаяФедерация .

UK Spouse Visa Russia РоссийскаяФедерация Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from Russia РоссийскаяФедерация
UK Partner Visa from Moscow, Russia РоссийскаяФедерация
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and Russian)
UK Home Office Approved TB Medical Centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация

UK Spouse Visa Key requirements

Lets have a chat ✉ | ☎ 00442071935178 | Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm UK time.

The Immigration Rules state that :

you both must be over the age of 18;

you must have met each other in person and be legally married, unless you are applying as an unmarried partner [alternatively] apply for a UK Marriage Visa or a UK Fiancée visa both have different requirements. ☎ | ✉ );

you both must intend to live together permanently in the UK (not Russia) ;

you must have enough income to support yourselves and any dependants without claiming public funds (unless of course, you receive PIP / DLA / CA .. [Read more]);

the sponsor must hold and evidence British / ILR / EUSS / Refugee status documents.

they must have suitable accommodation for you and any dependent children;

and you must satisfy the English language requirements and have a medical certificate for TB (where required).

UK family Visa

Now let's look into the various aspects of the requirements listed above when you are British and your partner is Russian and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in Russia. Since your partner is a Russian national, they would need UK immigration status documents to live and work in the UK. If you are not yet British but have Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), Permanent Residency (EEA PR) or Refugee status, then your partner can join you on the Partner route and enter or remain in the UK legally.

We note that your partner is a visa national (Russian) for UK travel purposes. This means they would normally need to obtain a visa from the British Embassy or UK Visa office / Commercial partner office (VFS Global), prior to their travel to the UK.

UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist - Moscow - Russia РоссийскаяФедерация

	Wafi Solicitors 16 Upper Woburn Pl London WC1H 0AF, UK 00442071935178 saleh@wafi.co.uk Please call or email for FREE initial consultation. ✉ | ☎ |
UK Spouse Visa Checklist April 2026 Moscow - Russia РоссийскаяФедерация
Key Forms / Documents Online application form ; Online application checklist ; VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ; Statutory Declaration by sponsor ; Identity Russian Passport (All Pages); Copy of UK Sponsor Passport (Data page) ; Copy of Sponsor (ILR / Refugee status document (if not British) ;		English test centres Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Moscow - Russia We have just checked and it appears that Russia does not currently have any approved centres. You need to try neighboring countries (Azerbaijani Belarusian Chinese Estonian Kazakh Latvian Lithuanian Ukrainian Polish Norwegian Finnish Georgian Centres!) UK Approved English language test centres (All Countries) (PDF). Tuberculosis Testing Centres Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Russia Approved TB Test Centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация UK Visa Application Centres in Russia VFS Global Office Russia has application centres in Ekaterinburg , Moscow , Novosibirsk , Rostov-On-Don , St. Petersburg and many more .
UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Sofia and Alexander) 1. Visa applicant, Sofia’s Russian passport (RU14593446) Submitted at VFS Global office in Moscow, Russia; 2. Copy of Sofia’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-5934-2200); 3. Copy of UK sponsor, Alexander’s British Passport (Number: 145002200) or Alexander’s Russian passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa); 4. Duly Completed Sofia's online Application Checklist (GWF0934462200); Financial (Sponsor, Alexander who is British and Employed) 5. Alexander’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ; 6. Letter from Alexander’s employer dated in April 2026; 7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Alexander ; 8. Alexander’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026); 9. Alexander’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026). * Alexander may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Alexander's monthly gross pay varies and is less than the required monthly amount, currently £2,416.67 (£29,000 / 12) for each and every month during the previous 6 months prior to application date. Financial (Sponsor, Alexander has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits) If Alexander is not employed but has the required savings or Alexander receives PIP, CA or Disability benefits he would provide (instead of items 6 to 8 above) evidence of benefit award and needs to meet the maintaince route requirements. In the case of savings, Alexander would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Sofia’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from Russian Rubles to British pounds. Accommodation (Adequate for the British Russian couple plus any children) 10. Alexander’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ; 11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Alexander's flat ; 12. Alexander’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence. English & TB Certificates (Both tests are required for Russian nationals.) 13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Moscow - Russia We have just checked and it appears that Russia does not currently have any approved centres. You need to try neighboring countries (Azerbaijani Belarusian Chinese Estonian Kazakh Latvian Lithuanian Ukrainian Polish Norwegian Finnish Georgian Centres!) UK Approved English language test centres (All Countries) (PDF). 14. Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Russia Approved TB Test Centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Alexander and Sofia) 15. Alexander and Sofia's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ; 16. Copy of Russia / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Alexander and Sofia; 17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Alexander and Sofia; 18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Alexander and Sofia; 19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Sofia in Russia by Alexander ; 20. Selection of Russian wedding and other personal photographs of Alexander and Sofia. 21. if Alexander and Sofia are not married but only engaged - evidence of Alexander's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Sofia's arrival ; 22. if Alexander previously married - Alexander's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or Russia ). Same for Sofia if applicable. Children and other ties (British or Russian and where applicable) 23. Child, Maxim's birth certificate, copy of Maxim's passport and other evidence of family ties and Sofia and Alexander's parental responsibility for the child. Non-English documents (from Russia) 24. English translation of Alexander and Sofia's Marriage / divorce certificate. From Russian to English sworn translations may be required. Criminal record and immigration history (In Russia and the UK - Applicant only) 25. Documents relating to Sofia's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Sofia's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer). 26. Sofia's financial standing and settlement of NHS and other debts. Complicated situation or unsure about what to include? Wafi Solicitors can guide you through the process with ease and get the positive outcome you seek first time. ✉ | ☎ |
Wafi Solicitors – All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. No liability accepted for accuracy, completeness, or reliability of data provided. Alexander, Sofia, Maxim, Maria and other names used above do not relate to any actual persons. They are used for illustration purposes only.

Tuberculosis tests for UK spouse visa applicants

Your partner is at a location (Russia РоссийскаяФедерация) where Tuberculosis (TB) medical testing is required for UK Visas (longer than 6 months, such as Spouse Visa). If they are the applicant they will need to consider taking the test. Please note that TB test certificate is only valid for up to 6 months. Approved TB Test Centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация .This is test is required for UK Family visas when you are resident in Russia.

UK Home Office Approved TB Test centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация

Click here for UK Government TB testing in Russia Website (opens in a new window)
Approved TB Test Centres in Russia РоссийскаяФедерация

A1 level English test required

Your partner is a Russian national and thus not exempt from the English language requirements for a Spouse / Partner visa, they would need to take the A1 / A2 (extension) or provide other English language evidence.

If you are already in the UK (on a different visa or for visa extension application) You can take a SELT with the providers mentioned above or with Trinity College London. Click here for UK Spouse Visa English test centres in the UK

Did you know Moscow, Russia is 2,200 KM (1,367 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 3 Hours. Russia has a population of 145,934,462 (2021) and they use Russian ruble. One British pound is equal to 120.973 Russian Rubles.

You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Azerbaijani UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Belarusian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Chinese UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Estonian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Kazakh UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Latvian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Lithuanian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Ukrainian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Polish UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Norwegian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Finnish UK Spouse Visa Checklist | Georgian UK Spouse Visa Checklist | ) . You would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.



Please remember that all UK Family Visa applications are now done online and your UK Visa Application Centre for Russia, VFS Global Office could be in a different city. You may need to plan ahead and travel for your tests and visa appointments. These are the large cities in Russia Moscow , Saint Petersburg , Novosibirsk , Yekaterinburg , Nizhny Novgorod , Kazan , Chelyabinsk , Omsk , Samara , Rostov-on-Don. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (Russia)

UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
You will pay $2,395 United States Dollars or a little more for your application.
View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for Russia now !

Please get in touch ( UK 00442071935178 or email saleh@wafi.co.uk ) for more specific information, free 5 minute consultation is offered or leave a question or comment below and we will get in touch (dont forget to include your contact number ).

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About the author

Saleh Begh is a Solicitor (English Attorney) with 15 years experience in UK Immigration and Family law. He routinely deals with complicated Immigration and family law matters. Read more about Saleh Begh For guidance, options and tips contact us ✉ | ☎ |

You may also consider our guide on how to apply from a neighbouring country ( | Azerbaijani UK Spouse Visa | Belarusian UK Spouse Visa | Chinese UK Spouse Visa | Estonian UK Spouse Visa | Kazakh UK Spouse Visa | Latvian UK Spouse Visa | Lithuanian UK Spouse Visa | Ukrainian UK Spouse Visa | Polish UK Spouse Visa | Norwegian UK Spouse Visa | Finnish UK Spouse Visa | Georgian UK Spouse Visa | ) . Please note that you would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.

Heading to the UK, which is your nearest Russian Airport?

Is it Khabaraovsk, (Novy Airport) , Moscow Shremetievo, (Sheremetievo Airport) , Moscow Vnukovo, (Vnukovo Airport) , Novosibirsk, (Tolmachevo Airport) , Orenburg, (Tsentralny Airport) , Samara, (Kurumoch Airport) , St. Petersburg, (Pulkovo Airport) , Tver, (Migalovo Airport) , Yakutsk, (Yakutsk Airport) . Which city do you live in, is it? Moscow , Saint Petersburg , Novosibirsk , Yekaterinburg , Nizhny Novgorod , Kazan , Chelyabinsk , Omsk , Samara , Rostov-on-Don or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from Russia

Did you know that the following cities in Russia had large populations - Moscow ( 12640818 ) , Saint Petersburg ( 5535556 ) , Novosibirsk ( 1686236 ) , Yekaterinburg ( 1521136 ) , Kazan ( 1286418 ) , Nizhniy Novgorod ( 1252917 ) , Chelyabinsk ( 1237272 ) , Omsk ( 1181049 ) , Krasnoyarsk ( 1158761 ) , Samara ( 1157631 ) , Ufa ( 1142399 ) , Rostov-on-Don ( 1138025 ) , Perm ( 1078878 ) , Voronezh ( 1077179 ) , Volgograd ( 997537 ) , Krasnodar ( 989104 ) , Tyumen ( 887092 ) , Saratov ( 839439 ) , Tolyatti ( 694127 ) , Izhevsk ( 651870 ) , Irkutsk ( 643796 ) , Barnaul ( 640958 ) , Khabarovsk ( 638918 ) , Ulyanovsk ( 623483 ) , Yaroslavl ( 612662 ) , Vladivostok ( 609574 ) , Tomsk ( 604200 ) , Makhachkala ( 601215 ) , Orenburg ( 569254 ) , Kemerovo ( 568150 ) , Novokuznetsk ( 548390 ) , Balashikha ( 543345 ) , Ryazan ( 540110 ) , Naberezhnye Tchelny ( 535498 ) , Astrakhan ( 534646 ) , Penza ( 521504 ) , Kirov ( 516717 ) , Cheboksary ( 511753 ) , Lipetsk ( 504673 )