Welcome to our Visa Section. Our Embassy can now offer a limited visa service to certain categories of official visitors to the United Kingdom. The Embassy is able to accept applications from residents of Tajikistan who belong to one of the categories listed below:

• Official applications made by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan under cover of a Note Verbale

• Applications from the international or local staff of diplomatic missions, international organisations and international NGOs who are travelling to the UK on official business

• Applications from those who have an officially-sponsored scholarship to study in the UK

• Applications from residents of Tajikistan who have a record of frequent travel to the UK

The Embassy only processes visa applications and issues visas once a week on Wednesdays. Applicants in the above categories should download a  visa application form from our website and submit their applications to the Embassy. Usually, visa applications will be received only on Monday and following Wednesday, applicants will need to submit their biometric data (finger scans) in person.

All other categories of visitor (eg privately-funded students, first-time visitors) will need to apply to our Embassies in Moscow or Almaty for visas as before.

If you are applying for a visa in Almaty or Moscow you should submit your application through our commercial partner, VFS Visa Application Centres, whose contact details are noted below:

All visa applicants (except children under five) will need to attend in person to submit their biometric data (finger scans and digital photo). VFS will then be responsible for forwarding the application to the Visa Section of the Embassy in Moscow or Consulate in Almaty as appropriate for consideration in the normal way. 

It is possible the Visa Section may require you to attend an interview with an Entry Clearance Officer.  Given that residents of Tajikistan will be travelling considerable distances, every effort will be made to ensure Tajik applications are dealt with promptly so that applicants will not have to spend more than two to three days in Moscow or Almaty.  The VFS Centre will advise you when you should come to Moscow or Almaty.

Please note that VFS provide a visa application support service only.  VFS staff have no power or influence over the outcome of the application.  The decision to issue or refuse a visa is made solely by Entry Clearance Officers at the British Embassy.  VFS's role is entirely impartial.  VFS staff will provide visa information but they cannot and will not offer visa advice.  

It remains our commitment to ensure the integrity of our visa process.  Any applicant submitting false documentation or other information in support of their application may be refused a visa and the matter referred to the local authorities.  For further detailed information specific to Almaty or Moscow, please refer to their websites: ukinkz.fco.gov.uk or ukinrussia.fco.gov.uk

Where can I get advice?

If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner  or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies.  Their websites are:

• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Institute of Legal Executives

Who decides whether I willget a visa?

UK Border Agency staff at the British Embassies will process and decide your visa application.

We tell customers:

We aim to process 90% of applications within 15 days of you submittingthe application at the Visa Application Centre. But some applicationscan take us longer to process, particularly at busy times of the year,and so we recommend that everyone allows 5 weeks for their visa to beprocessed.

Service standards - complaints and compliments

• UK Border agency aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers.  We welcome feedback it helps us to see where we need to improve. If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days
• If you wish to complain about the service you received from the UK Border Agency at this Embassy please address your complaint to the HM Consul by e-mail: Kim.Gould@fco.gov.uk
• Once you have completed your visa application, please take your time to fill out our online survey at : http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/features/survey