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Higher Education

Visa issues

Today, the Russian education system follows the Bologna process and offers public and private institutions. In Russia, you can find more than 950 universities to choose from. Russian universities offer two types of degrees: a bachelor's degree and a specialist diploma.

Although the vast majority of courses in Russia are taught in Russian, several major universities also offer a selection of English-taught programs. When applying for one of them, you will need to provide proof of your English language level in the form of an IELTS or TOEFL certificate. You will also need to pass an interview in English.

How to enter a university?

In general, the list of documents that you need to submit for admission may differ slightly, depending on the selected university and field. In general, when submitting an application, you will need to provide notarized Russian translations of your passport and educational certificates . You will also need to submit a medical certificate from your doctor. These documents must be accompanied by a completed application form provided by the chosen university.

Please note that many universities require applicants to pass entrance exams. While Russian high school students take a single state exam, most universities offer a specialized exam for foreign applicants.

You can read more about admission and required documents on the official websites of universities.

Who can apply for scholarships in Russia?

Every year, the Russian government offers a number of university scholarships to foreign applicants. The organizers of the scholarships are the Federal Agency of Russia for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation ( Rosspivrobotnitstvo ).

The state scholarship fully covers tuition fees and provides the student with support for maintenance and free accommodation in a dormitory for the duration of the program.

In order to apply for a scholarship, you need to take the following steps:

Contact the Russian embassy or the office of the Russian Cooperation in your country and find out about the availability of scholarships.
Complete this form by selecting six universities (no more than two each from Moscow and St. Petersburg), clearly indicating your order of preference. You also need to provide documents confirming your identity, level of education and level of Russian language proficiency.
Wait for the invitation to participate in the selection process. Some higher education institutions require applicants to take an exam, others conduct interviews.

If you pass the selection process, you will be asked to provide additional documentation. This includes education documents and medical certificates. You must translate them into Russian and notarize them.

Citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) do not need a visa to study in Russia. In addition, if you are a citizen of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Ukraine, you do not need a visa, but you do need a foreign passport. If you are a citizen of Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, South Ossetia, Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, you can come to Russia to study without a passport or visa.

Several other countries have visa-free agreements with Russia for short-term stays of 14 to 90 days. Citizens of these countries can enter Russia without a visa, but must obtain a Russian student visa from the Main Directorate for Migration (GUM) of Russia upon arrival in Russia.

Citizens of most foreign countries will need a Russian student visa to study in Russia. Since Russia is not a member of the EU, visa-free entry to Russia is not provided for EU citizens.

For those who need a student visa

Prospective students must obtain a Russian student visa before traveling to Russia. A Russian student visa is valid for 90 days. Then you need to contact the local branch of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation ( FMS of the Russian Federation ) to extend your visa. The FMS issues a multi -visa that allows entry to Russia for one year. Before the visa expires, you must apply for an extension for another year. Then you continue in the same way throughout the training course.

Preparation of an application for obtaining a student visa to Russia

To apply for a Russian student visa, visit the Russian embassy or consulate in your country. (Information about embassies of the Russian Federation operating abroad can be viewed here: https://www.mid.ru/ru/maps/ )

The documentation you submit with your Russian student visa application varies. Typically, you'll need the following:

a passport or identity card that is valid for at least 18 months from the date of your visa and has at least two blank pages
one photo card
your official letter of invitation from the university
a medical certificate issued no more than three months ago, indicating a negative HIV test result
application form
If you are under 18, you must also have a consent form signed by your parent or legal guardian, which must be notarized

Your Russian student visa is usually valid for 90 days. Upon arrival in Russia, you must apply for an extension of your Russian student visa through the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation for the period of study, but not more than three years.

The deadline for issuing a student visa to Russia

Visas are usually issued within two to five weeks. Visa centers often offer an expedited processing service for an additional fee. The cost will vary depending on where you live, so check with the Russian consulate or visa center to confirm.

Upon arrival in Russia: mandatory registration

All foreigners entering Russia must fill out a migration form. These forms are issued on planes and trains, as well as before passport control at airports and train stations. When passing through border control, you will be handed a tear-off part of the form. This is your migration card and you must keep it until you leave Russia. It is valid for the entire period of stay. You will also need it to register with the Federal Migration Service of Russia.

Like all foreign citizens, foreign students must register at the local branch of the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation within seven days of arrival. If you study in Russia, your university usually does this for you. Failure to register with the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation may result in a fine, and in some cases, deportation from Russia. A list of local management offices is available here .

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