United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state off the northwest coast of continental Europe, comprising England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The country's territory consists of numerous small British islands, the island of Great Britain, and the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. The Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey are formally not part of the country. However, the UK is responsible for their defense and international representation. The total area of the state is 247.5 thousand square kilometers. The United Kingdom has 14 overseas territories, the last remnants of the British Empire.

The currency of the country, the pound sterling, is considered one of the strongest in the world. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy simultaneously. The country is headed by a king, but the actual power and responsibility for decision-making lies with the Prime Minister. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own governments with a range of powers. The capital of the United Kingdom is London.

Visa to the United Kingdom

In 2024, the United Kingdom continues to issue all types of visas to Russian citizens, including tourist visas. However, it is important to understand that the refusal rate is quite high. When applying for a visa, thorough preparation is essential, especially regarding financial guarantees.

You can submit your application at the British Embassy in Moscow. Allow up to two months for the documents to be processed.

Long-term visa types in the UK:

• Student Visa – The United Kingdom is home to some of the world's best universities. Upon admission, you can first obtain a student visa and then transition to a residence permit for study. It is also possible to obtain a short-term visa for language courses and other educational programs.
• Business Visa – Issued to entrepreneurs engaged in business negotiations and collaboration with local companies. This visa allows multiple visits to the UK for up to 180 days per year. Some businesspeople may qualify for a business visa valid for up to 10 years.
• Investor Visa (Tier 1) – An investment visa can initially be granted for 3 years and 4 months. However, this visa cannot be extended further.
• Work Visa (Skilled Worker)  – The Tier 2 General visa is issued only upon an invitation from an employer holding a sponsor license. Not everyone is eligible to work in the UK; only highly skilled workers are granted entry permits. The maximum validity is 5 years and 2 weeks.
• Global Talent Visa (Tier 1) – Designed for highly skilled and talented professionals, including scientists, cultural and arts figures, and exceptional experts in the digital technology sector. This visa can be issued for a duration of 1 to 5 years.

Find detailed information about the latest changes in UK visa policy, application timelines, and costs in our article about visas.

Residence Permit in the UK

Grounds for obtaining a UK residence permit:

1. Marriage to a UK citizen – Applicants must prove the genuineness of their relationship and demonstrate that the UK-based partner has adequate living space and financial stability to support the couple. Permanent residency (ILR) can be obtained after 3 years.
2. Family reunification – The applicant needs a close relative in the UK who has a residence permit, indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or citizenship. Family members eligible for reunification include parents, minor children, a spouse, or a long-term partner (e.g., fiancé(e)).
3. Study – A student visa is granted for 2 to 5 years, depending on the length of the course. It allows part-time work during the period of study.
4. Employment – The Skilled Worker visa acts as a residence permit and is issued for up to 5 years.
5. Business  – You can acquire an existing business in the UK, establish a new company, or transfer your business entity from another country. To qualify for a residence permit, you must present and defend your business strategy.

Attention

In the United Kingdom in 2024, there are no equivalents to a freelancer visa (digital nomad visa). If any changes occur, the information will be updated on this page.

Find out how to apply for a UK residence permit on our website. The article contains all the details regarding the timeline, cost, and eligibility criteria for obtaining a residence permit.

UK Passport

The UK passport offers significant opportunities to its holder. As of 2024, it ranks 6th in the passport strength index, allowing visa-free travel to 174 countries, without the need for embassy visas, paying fees, or worrying about the trip.

Citizens of the United Kingdom can visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, by simply applying for an ETA online. Additionally, with a British passport, one can freely visit all European Union countries, Australia, and Japan for up to 90 days, as well as New Zealand, Canada, and Hong Kong for up to 180 days.

More about the UK passport and how to obtain it is explained in a separate detailed article.

British Citizenship

There are three main ways to become a British citizen without having British parents:

1. Marry a British citizen and live with them in the country for at least three years.
2. Invest a minimum of £2 million in local companies.
3. Live in the UK legally for at least 6 years and undergo naturalization.

In addition to the freedom to travel worldwide, UK citizenship allows you to work in a developed economy with high earnings, even by European standards. You will have access to quality healthcare and education, be able to send your children to top universities, and provide them with a prosperous future.

The latest information on how to obtain UK citizenship is available in our article. Click the link to learn more.

Climate Conditions

The United Kingdom is situated in the temperate climate zone, under the influence of maritime weather. This results in frequent fogs and rainfall. However, heavy rain is rare, with the majority of precipitation being light drizzle. The annual precipitation varies between 600 and 2000 mm, with less rainfall in the plains than in the mountains. The western part of the country receives more precipitation compared to the eastern part.

The climate in the UK features mild winters and cool summers. The average temperature in January ranges from +3 to +7 degrees Celsius, while in July it is between +17 and +24 degrees. Occasionally, temperatures can rise as high as +32 degrees. Half of the days in the year are cloudy or overcast.

Demographics

The United Kingdom is home to 67 million people, making it the third most populous country in Western Europe, after France and Germany. 74% of the population is English. Additionally, there are Scots, Welsh, and people from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and other countries living in the UK. The average life expectancy in the country is 80.7 years. Women generally live to 82.8 years, while men have an average life expectancy of 78.7 years.

The UK has the highest population density among large European countries, with 255 people per square kilometer. The most densely populated area is the industrial belt stretching from Liverpool to London, where the density reaches 1,000 people per square kilometer. 90% of the population resides in urban areas. The largest cities include London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Glasgow. These cities form large agglomerations, often referred to as the English metropolis.

Economy

The United Kingdom is a country with a developed economy, characterized by a high income level and Human Development Index (13th place in the world). It ranks 6th in nominal GDP and 9th in purchasing power parity.

The main industrial specializations are petrochemicals, oil and gas, and machine engineering. The country ranks 2nd in Europe in oil and gas extraction in the North Sea, and it is almost fully capable of meeting its own resource needs. Historically, the country was a center for the coal industry. However, all coal mines have now been depleted. Today, the country imports coal from South Africa, the USA, and Poland.

The UK is actively developing alternative energy sources. It ranks 3rd in the world for wind energy production. For example, a wind station with the largest wind turbines in the world was installed in the Liverpool Bay area. The country is also developing the ferrous metallurgy sector. However, the factories rely on imported raw materials. The most developed industries are electrical engineering and electronics, in which the UK ranks 5th in the world. The country is actively involved in the production of aircraft, spacecraft, ships, and automobiles.

70% of the country's territory is agricultural land, with most of it consisting of meadows and pastures. The main agricultural regions are located in the southeast of the country, where dairy and meat cattle farming is actively developed.

Freedom of Travel

The United Kingdom passport is considered one of the strongest in the world, ranking 6th in the global list, and allows entry into 174 countries without the need for time-consuming visa procedures. In fact, citizens can enter 129 countries without a visa. Another 45 countries offer a visa on arrival. Only in 24 countries do UK citizens have to apply to the embassy in advance and go through the standard procedure to obtain a visa for entry and stay.