I was banned for drunk driving 4 years ago in the UK. Will this affect my Russian visa application?
I am applying for a Russian visa for a visit this summer. Will a completed drunk driving ban (by the UK) affect my visa application? Should I bother to mention it. (It was back in 2012.)
Best Answer
Does the visa application form ask you about driving bans? Obviously, you should be truthful on the application, but there's no reason to volunteer information if you're not asked for it.
For example, looking at http://www.rusembassy.ca/sites/default/files/AppFormVisa_USA.pdf (the forms are slightly different when applying from different countries I believe), it only asks "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offence?". I believe it's implied that "offence" means criminal offence (so obviously things like parking tickets don't count). The Russian-language version of this form specifically uses the word "????????????" which, as I understand it, means specifically criminal offences (though I am not a lawyer and may not be familiar with the nuances of the word definitions). Basically, if your offence wasn't classified as a criminal one, but purely an administrative one, and if you were never arrested, I would probably strongly consider just answering "no" to this question.
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Will a drink driving offence affect a visa application?
Unfortunately, this does not apply in the area of immigration law. As such, all offences, no matter how old or if they are 'spent' must be declared.How long till a drink driving offence is spent?
How long does a drink driving ban stay on your licence? A drink driving conviction or DR10 endorsement will remain on your driving licence for 11 years from the date of conviction. However, these points are considered 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 after 5 years.Can you get a Russian visa with a criminal record?
Russia. One must fill out a visa application and list any criminal convictions on the form to visit Russia. If severe enough, those convictions can disqualify someone from obtaining a visa.How long does a drunk driving charge stay on your record?
A drink driving endorsement (DR10) will remain on your licence for a period of 11 years from the date of conviction. Endorsement codes DR40 - DR70 remain on your driving licence for 4 years from the date of offence OR 4 years from the date of conviction where a disqualification was imposed for the offence.3 lessons my driving ban taught me about life
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Answer 2
It is highly unlikely that a conviction for drunk driving would influence your visa application, provided you are upfront about it. They are far more likely to be concerned about ensuring you are only going there to visit and will leave within the expiry of the visa and how you will finance yourself while there.
(Source: I have lived in Russia, visited the country many times and have good friends working in the Russian consular services)
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