Scotland is a mysterious and beautiful country, medieval castles, beautiful architecture, beautiful landscapes. At the same time, the country has a high standard of living, so more and more tourists are eager to visit there. But it is part of the United Kingdom, which is part of the European Union - this must be taken into account when planning a trip. Do Russians need a visa to Scotland and what is needed to get it?
Country features
What visa do I need to go to Scotland? This country is part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, an English visa is required to visit her. An amazing atmosphere reigns in this country, and the architecture is amazing for tourists. Its culture reflects the characteristics of the peoples who inhabited this country.
One of the main cities in Scotland is Edinburgh, which is where most tourists go. This city has preserved the historical appearance of the country, which harmoniously looks against the background of other, more modern cities. And of course, the main attraction is Loch Ness. It is worth a visit not only for the sake of the famous Nessie, but also to admire its picturesque surroundings.
For most, Scotland is associated with bagpipes, whiskeys and a checkered kilt. The cultural capital - Glasgow - stands out for its abundance of greenery. Gothic, Renaissance, Victorian style intertwined in its urban architecture. Glasgow hosts national music festivals. But in order to admire all the sights, you need to make a visa to Scotland.
List of documents
To obtain a visa to Scotland, you must prepare the following documents:
- international passport - its validity period must exceed six months;
- photocopy of the first page of the passport;
- a notarized photocopy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
- information on invalid passports if visas have been previously issued in them;
- certificate of marital status and children;
- color photographs measuring 35 by 45 mm on a white background, which are no more than six months old, should also not have accessories;
- application form completed in English;
- certificate from the official place of work in which the income will be indicated;
- documents confirming your financial viability;
- hotel reservation confirmation;
- paid medical insurance;
- visa application;
- certificate of payment of the consular fee.
Having collected all these necessary documents, you can send them for a visa.
If you are traveling with a child
Still need to prepare separate documents for a visa to Scotland, if you travel with your child. You will need:
- notarized confirmation of consent to travel;
- copy of birth certificate.
In addition, you need to fill out a separate application form in English. If a child travels to Scotland without parents, then a notarized permission to leave from both parents is required.
Where to file documents
Need a visa to Scotland for Russians? Yes, because it is part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, for her visit, citizens of the Russian Federation will need an English visa. All the necessary documents you can include:
- to the consular post;
- to an accredited visa center.
The Scottish Embassy is located in Moscow, but there are consulates in other major cities. The official visa center is TLScontact, its branches are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don.
You can also independently collect all the necessary documents, or you can use the services of a visa center or travel agency. Only then will you need to pay a service charge for services.
Types of Visas
There are various types of visas that depend on the purpose of your visit to Scotland.
- Tourist - it is suitable for those traveling to this country to enjoy the sights. Such a visa to Scotland will allow you to be on its territory only as a tourist.
- Guest - it is made by those who visit this country as a guest. It gives you the opportunity to travel throughout the United Kingdom because her citizen invited you. To obtain such a visa to Scotland, you need to provide evidence that you have long maintained communication with a citizen of the country. These can be printouts of phone calls or correspondence. Also a bonus will be an invitation letter from a citizen of the United Kingdom.
- A work visa is required for those traveling to Scotland to work. To do this, you will need to confirm your qualifications as a specialist (these are diplomas, certificates) and provide a notarized copy of the work book. You must also submit an invitation from the employer. Scotland needs qualified specialists, so this is one of the best options for emigrating to this country.
- A study visa is suitable for those who want to visit Scotland to study.
- You will need a transit visa if you need to travel through Scotland to visit another country.
Depending on the purpose of the trip, you will need to choose the appropriate option and collect the necessary package of documents. What is a visa to Scotland for Russians? Russian citizens need to do English, and the option should be selected based on the purpose of the trip.
There are also separate categories of visas for those who:
- invests in any sector of the British economy;
- is an entrepreneur and conducts business in the United Kingdom (firms must be registered there);
- is a representative of foreign companies doing business in the United Kingdom.
When applying for a visa, they will help you determine exactly which type of visa you need to get. Then you can go on an exciting trip to Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom.
Which countries can you visit?
Having made a visa to Scotland, you can visit not only this country, but also move around the entire United Kingdom. You can visit England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which also have attractions that are popular all over the world.
Also, thanks to a special agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the capital of which is Dublin, holders of an English visa will be able to visit Ireland. Ireland is no less mysterious and interesting country than Scotland. But for this you will still need to visit Scotland or other parts of the United Kingdom.
Payment for filing documents
You can pay for documents to apply for a visa to Scotland after filling out the application form on the website. You can use the services of online banks. Each variety has its own payment amount, which also depends on the time a person spent in the United Kingdom.
If you get a tourist visa, then you need to pay 87 pounds - this is 7,500 rubles. If you plan to stay in Scotland for a long time, then the cost will depend on how much time you plan to stay in the United Kingdom. Also, the cost of a student and work visa is different. The exact amount will be calculated on the website.
Biometrics procedure
In order for Russians to obtain a visa to Scotland, you need to go through a biometrics procedure. When you finish filling out the questionnaire, you will be assigned an interview date at the UK Visa Application Center. You must come there personally with all the necessary documents. Then you will go through fingerprinting and take a photo for an electronic document.
It is rather difficult for citizens of the Russian Federation to get a visa to Scotland, so it is very important to carefully collect the necessary documents. They should be filled in only in English, you also need to take photos in accordance with all the rules. Approaching the process of obtaining an English visa responsibly and seriously, you can get permission to visit this mysterious and beautiful country - Scotland.