UKvisas does not keep statistics on average waiting times for different types of visa applications. Instead, UKvisas performance is measured against the following Public Service Agreement (PSA) standards:
PSA 1: 90 per cent. of straightforward non-settlement applications to be processed within 24 hours.
PSA 2: 90 per cent. of non-settlement applications requiring further inquiries or interview to be processed within 15 days.
PSA 3: 90 per cent. of settlement applications to be processed within 12 weeks.
Our visa sections in Russia exceeded these standards in the 2006-07 and 2005-06 financial years. In 2005-06, an average of 92 per cent. of PSA 1 applications were processed within 24 hours, 97.4 per cent. of PSA 2 applications were processed within 15 days, and 100 per cent. of PSA 3 applications were processed within 12 weeks.
Provisional figures for 2006-07 show that, on average, 92 per cent. of PSA 1 applications were processed within 24 hours, 97 per cent. of PSA 2 applications were processed within 15 days, and 100 per cent. of PSA 3 applications were processed within 12 weeks.
The information provided to Russian applicants is a combination of generic material that applies to all visa applicants and tailored guidance relevant to applications in Russia.
This information is available primarily through the UKvisas main website: www.ukvisas.ov.uk, our embassy in Moscow's website: www.britaininrussia.ru and the website of UKvisas' commercial partner in Russia: www.ukvac-ru.com.
A range of printed information on applications and procedures is also available at the four visa application centres in Russia operated by VFS.