Russia Student Visa: Eligibility, Requirements and Application Process

Planning to study in Russia? Considered the largest country in the world, Russia attracts scores of international students from around the globe, especially for its globally acclaimed  STEM courses. Home to world heritage sites to being the leading economies in the world, Russia is a perfect blend of culture and modernity. Due to the country’s major advancements in the education and research sectors, Russia has now been stated as a prominent option to pursue higher education. For the candidates looking forward to pursuing higher studies in Russia, here is a blog on the Russia Student Visa, including its requirements, fees, process, documents and more! 

Who Needs a Russian Student Visa?

All Indian nationals require a visa to enter Russia. Indian students wanting to visit Russia have to apply for a long-stay visa (granted for stays longer than 30 days).  This is the Russian student visa. The Russian Federation provides visa-free entry to only the following citizens of India:

1. Diplomatic passport holders (for up to 90 days)
2. Members of aircraft crews.

Anyone intending to enrol in an educational institution will have to get a visa. A Russian visa is easy to get for Indians if they meet the requirements. 

Fun Fact: EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA citizens cannot enter Russia without a visa. While the citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia and South Ossetia can enter without a visa.

What is a Russian Student Visa?

A Russian student visa is a long-stay visa. You need this visa if you intend to stay in the country for longer than 90 days. This means if you are going to enrol in an undergraduate or postgraduate program, you have to apply for a long-stay visa. There are two types of long-stay visas:

1. A single-entry (allows you to enter the Russian Federation one time)
2. Double-entry  (allows you to enter twice)
3. Multiple-entry (allows you to enter the country multiple times)

You will not get a multiple-entry permission directly. When you first apply, you need a single-entry or a double-entry long-stay visa. After you have stayed in Russia on a single-entry/double-entry visa type, you can apply for a multiple-entry visa. A multiple-entry visa is valid for 1-year stay.

Russian Student Visa Eligibility 

The eligibility requirements for the Russian student visa are as follows. The applicant must meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the visa. 

1. Must have applied to study at a Russian educational institution, and must have confirmed admission to the course.
2. The applicant must have received an offer letter from the university. 
3. A written request from the university on an official letterhead (the so-called “direct invitation”) or an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation to enter Russia.
4. Get a travel medical insurance, and get an HIV-negative certificate
5. Must have sufficient funds to study at the university. 
6. Have the necessary documents to apply for a student visa.

Russia Study Visa Requirements

Gathering the right set of documents that are required to seek a student visa is one of the most fundamental steps of the process. Regardless of the entry type you are applying for, the Russian Student Visa requirements must be met. You can get your documents pre-verified through the visa application centre before applying for a visa. This can make the visa process smoother and easier.

S.No.	Document	Description
1	Visa Invitation	Must be one of the following: an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a direct invitation from the host.
2	Passport	Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages, valid for 1.5 years from visa start date. Include a clear copy of the photo and address pages on A4.
3	Visa Application Form	Fill out the official form as per current guidelines.
4	Photograph	A recent colour photo meeting the specified size and format.
5	HIV Certificate	Must show a negative result and follow the Embassy-approved format. Get it verified through the Russian Visa Centre.
6	Travel insurance	This is to ensure that you can cover your medical expenses while you are in Russia

How to Apply Russia Study Visa from India?

Once you have collected all the documents that are necessary for applying for the Russian Student Visa, now is the time to submit application. Here are some simple steps that you can follow to complete your application process. 

1. Visit the offical website of the Russia Visa Centre 
2. Gather the necessary documents 
3. Read the instructions for the online visa application form filling 
4. Submit the online visa application and upload the relevant documents
5. Pay the visa application fees.

You can choose to submit the Russian student visa application by post or in person. If you want to submit in person, you will have to book an appointment through the Russian Visa Centre. You can gather your documents, fill out the application form, book an appointment, and submit it in person. Ensure that you pay the required fees. 

To learn more about Russia study visa application process, watch this video:

Russia Student Visa Fees for Indians

The visa fees are accepted in rupees, by cash or debit/credit card at the Visa Centre. The Russia student visa application fee is as follows:

S.No.	Fee Type	Amount / Details
1	Russia Visa Centre Fee	INR 2,200 (including GST) per application.
2	Value Added Services (Optional)	Additional services available at extra cost (in INR).

Processing Time for Russian Student Visa

The standard processing time is 10 days. However, in case of an emergency, you can apply for expedited visa processing. Processing time never takes longer than 30 days. 30 days is only taken if they require additional verification, you have not submitted all the documents, or if they require an interview.

S.No.	Processing Type	Time Frame
1	Standard Processing	Up to 10 working days
2	Expedited Processing	3 working days or less
3	Extended Processing	Up to 30 calendar days

Russia Student Visa Success Rate

The Russian student visa success rate is nearly 95%. It means there is a high chance of visa approval. International students who meet the eligibility criteria and have submitted relevant documents for the visa application can obtain a Russian student visa.  

Also Read: 9 Common Reasons for a Student Visa Rejection

Arriving in Russia and Mandatory Registrations

All international visitors to Russia must fill out a migration form. These forms are issued on flights and trains, as well as at airports and train stations, before passport procedures. You’ll be given a detachable piece of the form once you pass through border controls. This is your Russian migration card, which you must keep until you leave the country. If you leave Russia, you will need to fill out a new form when you return. You also need to register with the Russian Federal Migration Service.

Registration for Foreign Students

Indian students with a Russian student visa need to register with the Russian Federal Migration Service within seven days. The university, on the other hand, usually handles this for you. Key things to remember are:

1. Therefore, you must report to the foreign student affairs department within 3 days.
2. Take your passport or other forms of identification, as well as your visa and migration card. Both the originals and copies of these documents are required
3. Thereafter, the university will issue you a Russian Federal Migration Service-stamped migration card. 
4. You must contact the International Student Affairs Department two weeks before the document expires to have it renewed. The cost of registering or extending the arrival paperwork is free.

Note:. You must apply for a Russian student visa extension through the GUVM after arriving in Russia to cover the duration of your studies. You can do this up to a maximum of three years.

Working on a Russian Student Visa

Unless you work during the holidays or at the school or organisation where you are studying, you will need a work permit from the Federal Migration Service (FMS) if you have a Russian student visa. If you are a full-time student at a state-accredited university and are at least 18 years old, you will be granted a work permit.

The permission only allows you to operate in the fields or professions specified in the permit, as well as in the city or region where your university is located.A work permit from your local Federal Migration Service takes roughly 10 days on average (e.g., Moscow). The documents listed below must be submitted:

1. Your passport
2. Your migration card
3. Application form
4. Your employment contract
5. A medical certificate confirming your HIV-negative status, no infectious diseases or addiction to drugs
6. Confirmation from the university that you are enrolled on a full-time course.

For international students, Russian work permits are valid for one year and can be renewed for the life of the job contract. During this time, you are free to change occupations, but you must notify the Migration Service. If you drop out of university, your work permit will be revoked, and you will be unable to work in Russia.

Also Read: Russia Work Visa & its Requirements for Indian Citizens for 2025

Extending your Russia Study Visa

You must extend your Russian Student Visa if you intend to continue your studies in Russia. If you stay in Russia after your visa expires, you risk a fine of RUB 5,000 to 7,000 and a 5-year prohibition from entering the country. At least 30–40 days before your visa expires, you should notify your university’s foreign office. To extend your visa, you will need the following documents:

1. Your passport
2. A completed application form
3. A photograph
4. A copy of your enrolment agreement or a referral from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
5. A letter setting out the reason you need the visa extended
6. Migration card (original and copy)
7. The detachable section of the arrival notification form

FAQs

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Is Cyprus Good for Studying and Working for International Students in 2025?	How to Get PR in Ireland After Study? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Thus, we hope that this blog has provided you with the details of Russia Student Visa. Do you want to know which Russian university will be the best for you? If yes, then, reach our experts at Leverage Edu and they will shortlist the best course for you as per your interests and aspirations! Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.