Work & Study Visa

Work visa to Russia

Documents required:

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only. No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photo (3,5 by 4,5 cm) in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least 18 months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Document proving the purpose of the visit: original letter of invitation issued by an appropriate Russian Federal Migration Service branch or regional office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation only. The copies of the invitations are not accepted.

5. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate taken in last three months.

6. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "General information" section of the website. We accept cash only. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances. Payments exceeding R 10 000 can be managed differently, please enquire before the application.

7. Dear visitors, please note that in order to submit your application form for a working visa you must appear before consular officer personally.

Study visa to Russia

Documents required:

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least six months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

5. Your current diploma or educational certificate, certified by the State or Federal authorities.

6. A confirmation of the payment arrangement directly from the University, Institute or College, you are going to study at.

7. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate taken in last three months.

Dear Applicants and travel agents, please follow the above requirements when submitting your papers. Otherwise, the documents will be returned unprocessed.

Information for foreign citizens studying or planning to study in Russia

From January 1, 2023, foreign citizens studying in Russian state universities, educational or scientific institutions full time (under bachelor's, specialist's, master's, postgraduate educational programmes, assistantship-internships, or training for scientific, research and teaching personnel in postgraduate studies (or postgraduate military studies) in a state educational or state scientific organization) can apply for a temporary residence permit for educational purposes (Article 6.2 of the Federal Law "On legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation").

Temporary residence permit for educational purposes is issued for the period of mastering the educational programme and the next 180 days after the study period ends. If foreign citizens obtained the above-mentioned temporary residence permit, their passports will be stamped accordingly.

The applications for temporary residence permit are to be submitted in person through the relevant migration authorities where the educational institution is based or via Public Services Portal of the Russian Federation (www.gosuslugi.ru).

Temporary residence permit for educational purposes provides a number of benefits. They are as follows:

A foreign student travelling to Russia with a visa will get a multiple-entry visa for the duration of the temporary residence permit;
A foreign student does not need to provide an annual notice of proof of residence in the Russian Federation;
A foreign student (postgraduate student) who has received a temporary residence permit can stay in Russia for the entire period of study, and after graduating for another 180 days, and may apply for a permanent residency after graduating (without leaving the territory of the Russian Federation within these 180 days);
The opportunity to apply for a permanent residency is also available for three years after graduating without obtaining a temporary residence permit;
No confirmation of knowledge of the Russian language, history and legislation of the Russian Federation is required.

In case of changing full time study programme to extramural or evening classes, the temporary residence permit is cancelled. After cancellation of a residence permit, if there are grounds, a foreign citizen may reapply for a residence permit without observing the terms provided in paragraph 6 of article 6 of the Federal Law (not earlier than one year from the date of rejection of his previous application for a temporary residence permit or cancellation of an earlier issued temporary residence permit).

You may find more information on a temporary residence permit for educational purposes at the official website of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (мвд.рф) in section «Деятельность» and «Государственные услуги/Главного управления по вопросам миграции МВД России».