Thanks in advance for any assistance. Sadly, I have a criminal record in the UK for handling of stolen goods, sentence was 8 months and I served 3.5 months in prison. I wish to travel to Moscow to visit friends on a tourist visa and understand the question on the application 'have you ever been arrested or have a criminal conviction'? Does anyone know or can share their own circumstances of being in the same situation? Were you refused, granted ?? Was an interview required and if so can anyone shed any light as to the approval/denial process. I have heard that the criminal record is not necessarily an automatic no, but am interested to learn of any shared experiences. I have not yet applied and have already made the decision 'not to lie'. Thank you.

Hello and welcome to the board.

Sorry personally I have no experience about your case but there was another person in a similar situation, so I would suggest you read this thread and you may find the answers there.

viewtopic.php?t=874

Wish you good luck
wiz

Thank you and appreciate the link to the previous posts. Seems to me he told the truth and was approved. Is that your read ?

As far as I can remember he went to Moscow..... but then he stopped posting so I don't know more.

Why not apply and see how it goes?

Hi Uktransplant,

I hope you are well.
Can you please let me know how you went with your process as I am currently about to apply myself for a tourist visa to go and see my girl in Moscow.
My record in Australia has some pretty serious convictions against police, Mind you I have not been convicted of an offence for almost 10 years now.
I am also thinking that I dont want to lie about my past but would like the chance to move forward in life.

I know you are in the UK so things may be different to Russia accepting us aussie men with records but your personal experience I am hoping will help me


Regards,

Daz