Processing times for Russian visas have been extended after the UK expelled 23 diplomats from its London embassy last week.
The expulsions came following the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury earlier this month.
The Russian Embassy in London said this move by the UK government had “seriously affected” its consular service, which handles visa applications.
The standard processing time for visas has been increased from six days to 20 working days, while the express service has increased from two to three days.
“Given the circumstances, caused by the British side, the processing times for visa applicants will be increased: expedited processing time is up to three business days, and regular processing is up to 20 business days,” said the embassy in statement.
“As for the nationals of the countries that have visa agreements with Russia, processing times remain as outlined in those agreements.”
Visa specialist CIBT said: “Processing times for applications submitted in Edinburgh, where CIBT also has an office and can support Russian visa applications are not impacted and remain six working days for the standard service and two working days for the express service.”
Russia is hosting the FIFA World Cup football tournament from June 14 to July 15 but fans will not need to obtain a visa to attend the event.