Frequently asked questions
A foreign citizen staying in Russia must have the following documents:
- Passport
- Visa (for citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Russia)
- Migration card
- Fingerprinting certificate
- Foreign citizen card
- Detachable part of the arrival notification (registration)
- Voluntary Health Insurance (VHI) policy*
A foreign citizen must always carry these documents and present them upon request by police officers.
*Foreign students may obtain an Obligatory Medical Insurance (OMI) policy if they:
- Have a residence permit in the Russian Federation
- Have a temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation (RVP)
Foreign students who hold an OMI policy are exempt from the requirement to purchase a Voluntary Medical Insurance (VMI) policy.
Yes, there are.
Foreign students in Russia are required to complete two mandatory procedures:
- Medical examination
- Fingerprinting and photographing
More details here.
These procedures are not required for citizens of the Republic of Belarus or for those who hold an RVP, residence permit, or have diplomatic status.
Medical examination and medical insurance are both mandatory procedures required for foreign citizens residing in Russia, but they serve entirely different purposes.
A medical examination refers to three certificates issued to a foreign citizen based on test results for infectious diseases and the use of narcotic or psychotropic substances.
Medical insurance (or a voluntary health insurance policy, VHI) is a document that allows a foreign citizen to receive medical care at a healthcare facility if needed.
Yes, they can.
Foreign citizens receive medical care on the basis of a Voluntary Medical Insurance (VMI) policy.*
Detailed information about VMI policies can be found in the «Insurance» section.
*Foreign students may obtain an Obligatory Medical Insurance (OMI) policy if they:
- Have a residence permit in the Russian Federation
- Have a temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation (RVP)
Foreign students who hold an OMI policy are exempt from the requirement to purchase a Voluntary Medical Insurance (VMI) policy.
Before traveling to another country or city for vacation or any other reason, you must submit a departure notice to both Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students and the dean’s office of your faculty. This notice must include your departure date and expected return date.
If a foreign student is hospitalized and their condition allows, they should notify the staff of the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students. On the first day after being discharged from the hospital, the student must visit the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students.
If a foreign student holds dual (or multiple) citizenship, and one of them is Russian citizenship, the student is considered a citizen of the Russian Federation. In this case, they enjoy the same rights and bear the same responsibilities as Russian students.
They are also subject to resident registration as a Russian citizen for the entire period of their studies.
No, it will not. A student who obtains Russian citizenship will not lose their existing quota. However, the student must NOTIFY both the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students and the dean’s office of their faculty.
Yes, but only during non-study hours.
Foreign nationals studying full-time at a state-accredited higher education institution in Russia are allowed to work while studying, as of August 2020.
More details here.
In case of loss or damage of your documents, you must immediately inform the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students and take the necessary steps to restore the documents yourself.
More information can be found here.
No, the Academy does not issue invitations for relatives.
You must apply for a new passport in advance through the competent authorities. More details here.
You must immediately (on the day you receive the new passport) inform the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students and the dean’s office of your faculty.
Read more about the next steps here.
In case of early termination of studies (expulsion), you are required to leave the territory of the Russian Federation within three days from the date the expulsion order is issued.
Upon graduation, you must leave Russia before your visa expires.
Students who have been granted academic leave must depart from Russia within three days of the issuance of the official order and stay abroad for the full period of their academic leave.
No, you cannot.
Once academic leave is granted, a separate order for eviction from the dormitory is issued, and the student must vacate the dormitory.
Police officers have the authority to check documents that confirm a person’s identity and legal status in Russia and may detain a foreign citizen if there are grounds to clarify the situation. Foreign citizens must present their documents upon request from a police officer.
If an international student is unable to confirm their student status, they should immediately contact the Department of Visa and Migration Support of Foreign Students.
We recommend keeping scanned copies or photos of your documents on your phone.
No, you cannot.
You must keep your migration card until you leave Russia. It must be handed over at passport control upon departure.
Medical certificates are added to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ database only by the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Migration Department). To have your data added, you must go to the territorial division (OVM OMVD). If your request is denied, you should go to the following address to have your medical examination certificates entered into the Ministry of Internal Affairs database: Moscow, ul. Bakhrushina, 18. The service costs 1,500 rubles (with a valid student ID).