Visa Application process and requirements

The Visa Process

If you wish to continue your education in Russia, you could need a visa. The application for a Russian student visa entails a number of steps that must be completed. Learn about the application process for a student visa to Russia in the steps below:

Get the Invitation for a Student visa for Russia (Visa Support): The Russian Ministry of Interior can issue you a study visa invitation. It is also available via the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your Russian university.

Complete the Russia student visa online application form: At kdmid.ru, you can apply for a visa online. This is the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official website. Fill in the blanks on the mandatory questions marked with a "*."

Collect the required documents for a Russian student visa: The list of documents needed to apply for a Russian student visa is provided below.

Submit your application in person: You are required to apply at a Russian Consulate / Russian Visa Processing Center.

Payment of the fee for a Russian student visa.

Following these steps, you should wait for a response to your application. You may be invited to a visa interview if the embassy deems it necessary. They may also request that you submit more documentation.

Visa Support for Students

This is the paperwork that backs up your statements about your reason for entering Russia. There are 3 different types of visa invitations that are eligible for a Russia study visa. Any of the following scenarios will suffice:

An invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. This invitation is the responsibility of your Russian university. You are required to submit it to the embassy in its original version, which could be either paper or electronic.

A telex invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. This form of invitation should be requested at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by your Russian university. The invitation will subsequently be forwarded to the Russian embassy in your country of residence by the ministry. You should receive a six-digit number from the university, which you must give to the embassy.

A copy of a direct invitation letter from your Russian university. This type of invitation is only valid for a brief period of time and cannot be extended. The letter should be stamped and signed by the university's rector or the head of the International Department. It should be noted that the letter must be printed on the Russian University's actual paper.

HIVE (AIDS) test. This test must have been completed during the last three months prior to the application deadline. On the day of your application, it should still be valid for 15- 30 days.

Health Insurance Policy Documents. Only nationals of the EU, Iran, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, and Switzerland are subject to this requirement. The documentation must be provided by a foreign or Russian insurance provider and must include the following information:

• Your whole name.
• The date on which the contract was signed.
• The policy number as well as the insurer's complete contact information.
• The validity dates. The coverage must cover the entire time of stay in Russia for single entry and multiple entry visas. For multiple-entry visas, however, it must cover the period of the initial journey.
• The insurance's list of covered medical services includes repatriation in the event of death.
• The geographical area that is covered by the insurance must include Russia. 

How long does it take to get a Russian Student Visa?

A Russian student visa takes on average 10 days to process. However, processing can take anywhere from seven to twenty days. The processing period can be extended for up to 30 days in certain circumstances.

Those who need their documents quickly can request for expedited processing, which takes three days. Applicants who want their visa applications processed more quickly will have to pay a higher cost.