Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Murray of Blidworth on 9 November (HL2942 and HL2943), what assessment they have made of reports that TLScontact in St Petersburg is no longer offering applicants the option of purchasing the 'Keep My Passport' service pending decisions on family visa applications.

Added Value Services, including the Keep My Passport service, are currently unavailable in Russia. Where applicants are required to keep their passport in their possession to evidence their right to reside in Russia whilst their Family Migration application is under consideration, they can inform the Visa Application Centre staff who will work with UKVI to consider this. Applicants can choose to withdraw their application should they wish to do so, but will not receive a refund.

Family members of British Nationals in Russia, who need to make an urgent visa application, can contact TLS via the link on their website for support.