Over 100,000 Russians to go to Britain in 2004

In 2004, at least 110,000 of Russians will visit Great Britain, said Sir Roderic Lyne, UK Ambassador in Russia, said at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday.

According to the ambassador, after the embassy was moved to another building in 2000, the conditions of visa issuing considerably improved, thereby raising the efficiency and accelerating consideration of visa applications. There is an opinion that it is not easy to obtain a British visa but this is not quite correct, said the British diplomat.

If documents are correctly filled in, we try to issue visas within 24 hours or on the same day. Russian citizens who apply to us receive a multi-entry visa for six months, said the ambassador.

Roderic Lyne noted that only 7-8% of those who apply for a visa go through an interview. The number of denied visas is scarce - usually, 5-6%.

I would not like visa issues to be an obstacle on the way to our country, said the ambassador.