Processing Time for Russian Visas for UK May Double Due to Diplomats' Expulsion

Today, in accordance with the demands of the British authorities, 23 Russian diplomats are leaving the UK. Including family members, 80 people are due to depart from the United Kingdom.

The time for issuing Russian entry visas for UK citizens may double in the wake of expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from the country, Russian Ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko said Tuesday.

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"Naturally, this will affect the issuance of visas to the British citizens. I think that the delays will be almost two times as long, that is, regular visas may require up to 20 days… while the urgent ones — up to seven days. We will provide relevant information," the ambassador said while he was personally saying goodbye to departing diplomats in London Stansted Airport.

The UK's decision to expell Russian diplomats came as a part of anti-Russia measures which were announced by the UK Prime Minister Theresa May in response to the poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter. May said that it was "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Salisbury incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry refuted all the allegations and requested the UK Foreign Office to allow a joint investigation into the case.

The former Russian officer and his daughter were found unconscious in a shopping center in Salisbury on March 4. The two are being treated for exposure to a chemical substance and remain in critical condition.