Documents Required for a Student Visa

After getting the invitation letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the General Administration for Migration under Interior Ministry of Russia. students should contact the nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate. Student should apply to Russian Embassy with the following documents:

• Original Invitation letter
• Original international passport (valid for 18 months at least)
• Completed and signed Visa Application form
• Original of school-leaving certificate of secondary school (college) record with enclosed statement of results (transcript of marks received) and their copies legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of issuing country.
• Original of birth certificate and a copy legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of issuing country.
• Medical Certificate showing absence of Aids/HIV.
• Photograph 3.5 x 4.5 cm (1.18 x1.57 inches).

1. International passport (original) and a copy of the front page.(valid for 18 months at least)
2. Official invitation for entry to Russia (original). Please refer to the section on Obtaining an Invitation for more details.pleaseapply online here.
3. Visa Application form completed and signed
4. Photograph 3.5 x 4.5 cm (1.18 x1.57 inches).
5. HIV-negativestatuscertificate.
6. original of school-leaving certificate of secondary school (college) record with enclosed statement of results (transcript of marks received) and their copies legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of issuing country.
7. original of birth certificate and a copy legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of issuing country.
8. For applicants under 18 years – parental consent to travel certified by a notary.

If the prospective student has fulfilled all the application requirements and received a place at a university through a standard procedure or is a fee-paying student, the invitation will be sent. You will need the original invitation to submit the visa application.

Validity term of the invitation
You can start the process of obtaining an invitation 45 days prior to the actual travel date. The invitation is valid for three months.

Passport requirements
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 18 months from the issue date of your visa. Your passport should contain at least two blank pages.

HIV-negative status certificate requirements
The certificate should contain passport details of the holder, information on the duration of their stay in Russia, and the particulars of the HIV test (date, medication series used, official stamp of the medical facility that conducted the test, the signatures of the doctor and the person tested). The document should be issued in Russian and in English and be valid for three months.

When can I start my visa application?
You can start the visa application process 45 days prior to the planned date of arrival in Russia.

When will I receive my visa?
Student visas are normally issued within two or three weeks. Visa centres can speed up the visa process for an additional fee.

A visa is an endorsement (a paper sticker) in a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in the Russian Federation.

A study visa gives you permission to enter the Russian Federation for the purpose of studying, and states the conditions of your stay, for example:

The earliest date you can enter Russia

The date your permission to stay (visa) expires

The amount of entries (single-entry visa or multiple visa)

The name of the University

When can I begin to apply for my study visa?
You can apply for your study visa as soon as you have received the original of your invitation letter & letter of visa support from our office. You should contact the local Russian Embassy / General Consulate for the most up-to-date information, requirements and visa forms.

How to obtain a visa?
To obtain a Russian student visa, you must first obtain an invitation (visa support) issued by an authorized organization. You should then take that invitation to the Russian consulate in your country in order to obtain an actual visa.

Can I pay extra to have the visa or invitation completed quickly?
Fast processing services exist for study visas and invitations.