Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Allow Russian citizens to apply for UK work visas outside a country of residence

Closed 248 signatures

What the petition asks

We ask Home Office to temporarily relax restrictions on out-of-country applications for entry clearances for all work and family purposes to allow Russian nationals to apply to come to work and live in the UK from other countries. Currently, they can only apply from Russia or a country of residency.
Russian nationals are fleeing the country, they don't want to be involved in the ongoing war. We believe none of them would consider it acceptable to become complicit in the atrocities which continue to emerge. Many of them are professionals, scientists and bright talents who are eligible to come to the UK under the Skilled Worker visa and other immigration routes. The British economy would benefit from access to this plentiful pool of talent, so Home Office needs to allow them to apply from a temporary sanctuary country.

Timeline

4 Oct 2022 Petition opened for signatures
4 Apr 2023 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 248
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 4 Oct 2022
Closed 4 Apr 2023

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.