Frequently asked questions

In Russia, the term «migration registration» refers to notifying the executive authorities about one’s arrival/departure and place of stay — that is, registering at the place of residence.

Yes, it is.

Every time foreign citizens enter Russia (regardless of whether the entry is visa-based or visa-free), they are required to register their place of residence — to complete migration registration.

Russian legislation sets strict deadlines for migration registration of foreign citizens: that is within 7 days from the date of crossing the Russian border.

The date of border crossing is recorded in the migration card.

Migration registration is handled by the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Migration Department). Depending on where the foreign citizen will live, they need to contact a specialist from Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students (if living in a dormitory), the apartment owner (if living in an apartment), or the hotel administrator (if staying in a hotel) to request registration at the place of residence. 

It is also necessary to prepare documents required for migration registration.

Depending on the entry procedure (visa or visa-free) and place of residence, the list of required documents for migration registration will vary. You can find the full list of necessary documents here.

The official confirmation of migration registration is the arrival notification. After submitting the documents and completing the registration process, a foreign citizen receives the detachable part of their arrival notification, which confirms that they have been registered for migration purposes.

For students, the migration registration period is limited to the duration of the academic year (for citizens of visa-free countries) or to the validity period of the visa (for citizens of visa-required countries). 

Important! Please make sure to monitor the expiration date of your migration registration and extend it in advance.

No, you cannot. 

This is a violation of Russian law. Fictitious registration is subject to criminal liability under Russian legislation.

You must apply no later than 30 days before your current registration expires.

Depending on the entry procedure (visa or visa-free) and place of residence, the list of required documents for extension of migration registration will vary. You can find the full list of necessary documents here.

Yes, you do. 

You must extend your migration registration when you receive a new visa. In this case, the registration must be extended within 3 days from the start date of the new visa.

Yes, you do. 

If a foreign citizen travels to another city for more than 7 days, they must complete migration registration — i. e., complete temporary registration at the place of stay in that city.

Yes, you do.

Regardless of how long you stayed outside of Russia, you must go through the migration registration process again. Your previous registration becomes invalid once you leave the country.

Please note: obtaining a new migration card requires a new migration registration.

To extend your registration for the summer months after graduation, you need to submit an application for post-graduation leave.* 

After that, depending on your place of residence, you must either contact the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students or ask the apartment owner (or hotel administrator) to extend your registration.

*Post-graduation leave is granted to graduates of higher and secondary vocational education institutions who are enrolled in main educational programs, in accordance with the Federal Law «On Education in the Russian Federation» dated December 29, 2012, № 273-FZ.

If you have an RVP, RVPO or residence permit you must obtain a registration at the permanent place of residence (this is not the same as migration registration!) within 7 days after receiving the document. If your permanent registered address does not match your actual place of residence, you must additionally register at your temporary place of stay. You can find the step-by-step process here.

Important! If your RVP, RVPO or residence permit was issued outside of Moscow, you must obtain temporary registration (migration registration) in Moscow.

Foreign citizen who violate migration laws may face deportation by court order, a fine of up to 7,000 rubles, and a ban on entering Russia for up to 5 years.