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

Closed on 4 April 2023

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.