How to obtain a visa for your study in Russia. What necessary documents do you need to make available before your arrival? What are the steps to take upon arrival?

A visa-free plan exists between Russia and several States, but it is generally valid for 1–3 months, designed for tourists and not suitable for a permanent stay in the country. Theoretically, a student from a visa-free country can come to Russia with their international passport, but after the expiration of the authorized period of stay, they will have to exit the country to return with a student visa. Therefore, it will be more appropriate to obtain a student visa from outset.

Citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic are allowed entry into Russian with just their national identity card. However, Students from other countries will need their international passport.

THOSE WHO DO NOT NEED A VISA

No visa is required for students of Russian higher institutions from the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Abkhazia, the Republic of South Ossetia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Tajikistan, Ukraine, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Uzbekistan

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A STUDENT VISA

You must obtain a Russian visa from the Russian embassy or consulate in your home country.

Step 1. Starting your application

If you apply through study.russia-africa.com, we ensure to follow up closely on your application and immediately send the invitation to your mail box as soon as received. 

Step 2. Preparation of documents 

After receiving an invitation, you will need to prepare the documents listed below after which we will personally follow up on your file submitted with the Embassy in order to obtain additional information required for visa procurement

Here is the overall list of the necessary documents:

1.    Original copy of your international passport and a copy of the information page

2.    Original copy of the invitation to study in Russia

3.    Visa application form (e-form).

4.    One passport-size photograph 3.5 x 4.5 cm

5.    HIV/ AIDS Test result

6.    Candidates under the age of 18 require an affidavit of Parental Consent.

7.    Supporting document justifying the applicant's right to remain in the territory of Benin or Togo for more than 90 days, if the applicant is neither Beninese nor Togolese.

8.       A proof of Consular fee payment

For information on the documents required to obtain a visa, you can contact the Russian Embassy in your home country. 

Step 3. Invitation for Interview at the Russian Embassy or Consulate

Once you have all the documents, you need to book an appointment for interview with the Russian Embassy in your country. If your interview is successful, you must submit your documents for visa procurement process. This process can last for 2 to 3 weeks.

STUDENT VISA VALIDITY PERIOD

The validity period of a student visa obtained from the Russian Embassy or consulate is 3 months. Once in Russia you will be required to apply for visa extension at the General Directorate of Immigration. Following this extension, you have the possibility to enter and exit the Russian territory for a period of one year. However, as the visa expiration approaches, it will be necessary to contact the approved authority to extend its duration by one (1) year. The visa extension process continues till the end of your study in Russia.

HOW TO EXTEND YOUR STUDENT VISA

To extend the student visa, you must contact the department in charge of foreign nationals in your higher institution 30–40 days before the expiration date of the current visa.

Here is the list of the necessary documents:

1.    Visa renewal form

2.    Passport size photograph

3.    International passport.

4.    A copy of your Offer letter (self-funded) or attestation letter from the Russian Ministry of Education, confirming your scholarship status.

5.    A letter from your university indicating the purpose of visa extension

6.    A proof of payment for visa extension

7.    A copy of your registration card

8.    Original copy and photocopy of your Immigration card

Visa extension fee is approximately 1600 rouble (30 $) 

REGISTRATION

Upon arrival in Russia, all foreign nationals are required to apply for the immigration card and to always have it on throughout his stay. Also, once in the host city, it is required within two working days to present yourself for registration with the approved authorities

IMMIGRATION CARD

The immigration card is proof that the foreigner has crossed the Russian border legally. The migration card must be kept by the foreign national throughout his stay in the Russian Federation and must be presented with other documents to register his place of residence. Without this card, foreign citizens cannot legally live, study and work in the territory. 

The immigration card is valid throughout your stay in the Russian territory. At the point of exit, the foreign national returns his migration card to the immigration officer present at the Russian Federation border post. Hence, he will need to obtain a new immigration card while crossing the entry border in the future.

REGISTRATION WITH IMMIGRATION SERVICE

Once you have crossed the Russian border, you should declare your presence in your host city within the next 7 days. To do this, you must send the following documents to the university authorities:

• - International Passport (or identity document).

• - Visa (if the country of the national requires a visa).

• - Immigration card.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

To extend your registration, you must go to the approved authorities of your university 15–20 days before its expiration.

LOSS OF IMMIGRATION PAPERS

In case of loss of immigration papers, it is essential for the foreign national to make the declaration within three days to his city of residence local authorities under the Russian Ministry of the Internal Affairs (MVD). For this, you need your international passport, visa, registration and student card to obtain a duplicate.
NB: Register the complaint to the Directorate General of Immigration under the auspices of the Russian Federation Ministry of Internal Affairs latest three days following the loss of the document.