student work permit in russia

There are currently considerable changes in the landscape of Russian immigration legislation, particularly for students who wish to come and study in Russia. In order to obtain a student work permit for Russia, every interested party must go through a tough process of negotiation with the Federal Migration Service of Russia (FMS). The word “tough” is actually an understatement – “demanding” would be more fitting, as the entire application procedure is going to take up most of your time and inevitably some nerves alongside it. Below you can find a brief guide on how to apply for a student work permit in Russia:

Destinations that once were out of bounds for US students now offer study permits. New regulations went into effect in January 2016 that have opened up new visa opportunities for non-immigrant students. The new rules allows eligible students to enter Russia for up to 180 days without a visa under certain conditions.

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Student Work Permit in Russia

If you are a student from abroad and wish to work in Russia during your studies, you need to obtain a student work permit. The procedure for obtaining a student work permit is not difficult, but it does require some time and attention. In this article, we will explain how to obtain a student work permit in Russia.

Obtaining a Student Work Permit in Russia

To obtain a student work permit in Russia, you must first apply for an F-1 visa at the Russian consulate or embassy in your home country. The F-1 visa allows students who are enrolled full-time at Russian institutions of higher education to legally enter Russia and study there for up to five years. As part of the application process for an F-1 visa, you will have to provide proof that you have been accepted into an accredited institution of higher education in Russia (such as a university or vocational school). You will also need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds available to cover tuition fees and living expenses while studying in Russia (this amount varies depending on where exactly they plan on studying). Once your visa has been approved by Russian authorities, it will be issued electronically by the consulate or embassy where you applied for it; this means that you do

Russian student work permits are issued by the Russian government to students who are studying in Russia. The permit is valid for one year and can be extended up to a total of three years. It allows you to work part-time during your studies, which can help you support yourself financially.

The application process for a student work permit is similar to that of an ordinary work visa. You will need to submit documents proving your student status, as well as proof that you have enough money in your bank account or other financial resources to support yourself while studying in Russia.

Russian study visa requirements

You can start applying for a student visa up to 45 days before you plan to travel to Russia. You must apply through the Russian Embassy or consulate in your home country. There are also authorized visa centers in some countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States. You may be denied entry into Russia on a student visa if you are HIV-positive.

The complete Russian student visa processing time can be lengthy, taking from two to five weeks to process the visa, besides the time required prior to that to secure a study placement and receive the necessary invitation to apply for a visa. The requirements and application processes can be broken down into the following stages.

Step 1: Invitation letter to study in Russia

Before you can apply for a student visa, you first need an acceptance letter from a university. This allows you to get an official invitation to study in Russia. A list of Russian universities, colleges, and places of academic learning can be found here.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the Federal Migration Service of Russia issue invitations. However, for most students getting places through the standard procedure or paying fees, the invitation will come from the university. Once you have an invitation, it is valid for three months.

Step 2: Financing your Russian studies and scholarships

You will need to make sure you can cover your course and study costs in Russia. If you are looking to study at a state university in Russia or a university with state-funded places, you may be eligible for a government scholarship. There is also state funding available to students from CIS countries.

International scholarships are available from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. They award 10,000 per year. If you win a place at a Russian university and receive a government scholarship, you get a six-digit number to use on your application.

Step 3: Applying to study in Russia

You can apply to up to six Russian educational institutions (typically no more than two in each federal region). You may need to pass an exam, attend an interview, or undergo a selection process. This depends on where you are applying to and where you are from.

If you are successful and accepted onto a course, you then receive an invitation with which you can apply for a Russian student visa.

Preparing your Russian student visa application

To apply for your Russian student visa, visit the Russian embassy or consulate in your home country. A list of Russian embassies and consulates worldwide is available here (official list, in Russian) and here.

The documentation that you submit along with your Russian student visa application form varies. Generally, you need the following:

• passport or ID, valid for at least 18 months from the issue date of your visa and with at least two blank pages, plus a photocopy of the front page.
• one recent passport-sized photograph
• your official letter of invitation from the GUVM (original, not a copy)
• medical certificate less than three months old showing that you test negative for HIV. You may need to present the certificate in both Russian and your own language along with passport details, information on the duration of the stay in Russia, and details of the HIV test.
• An application form, which can be completed online but must be printed out.
• If you are under 18 years old, you must also have a consent document signed by your parents or legal guardians which has also been certified by a notary.

All foreign visitors to Russia must register at the local GUVM branch within seven days of arrival. If you are studying in Russia, your university usually does this for you. Failure to register with the GUVM can result in a fine and in some cases expulsion from Russia. A list of local GUVM offices is available here.

Your initial Russian student visa will generally be valid for 90 days. After arriving in Russia, you must arrange a Russian student visa extension through the GUVM to cover the duration of your studies, up to a maximum of three years.

Working in Russia as a student

If you have a Russian student visa, you require a work permit from the Federal Migration Service (FMS) unless this work is undertaken during the holidays or at the institution or organization where you are studying.

You will only be issued with a permit to work if you are a full-time student at a state-accredited university and at least 18 years old. The permit will only allow you to work in the field or profession set out in the permit and in the city or region of your university.

The cost of a work permit for those on a Russian study visa is RUB 3,500. Foreign nationals caught working in Russia without a valid permit risk a RUB 7,000 and potentially deportation from Russia.

It usually takes about 10 days to get a work permit from your regional Federal Migration Service (e.g., Moscow). You’ll need to submit the following documents:

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

Russian work permits for foreign students are valid for one year and can be extended for the duration of the employment contract. You can change jobs during this time but you must inform the Migration Service. If you leave your university course, the work permit will be cancelled and you will no longer be able to work in Russia.

Read more in our guide to getting a Russian work visa.

Extending your Russian student visa

If you wish to continue your studies in Russia, you must extend your visa. If you stay in Russia with an expired visa, you risk a fine of between RUB 5,000 and 7,000 and possibly a five-year ban on entering Russia in the future. You should contact your university’s international office at least 30–40 days before your visa expires.

To extend your visa you will need:

• Your passport
• A completed application form
• A photograph
• A copy of your enrolment agreement or a referral from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
• A letter setting out the reason you need the visa extended
• Migration card (original and copy)
• The detachable section of the arrival notification form
• Fee (RUB 1,600 in 2017).

Foreign graduates in Russia

After finishing your studies, you may be able to stay in Russia if you have been offered a job or if you want to look for work or start a business. But in practice, this is complex as it is not possible to change from one Russian visa type to another inside the country. This means that you may need to exit Russia and re-enter on another suitable visa, which means securing an invitation from the GUVM via an employer or suitable organization.

If you have been living in Russia for more than a year, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Russia, which will give you the right to look for work without needing a visa or permit. Read more in our guide to Russian citizenship and permanent residence.

If you are intending to stay in Russia after your Russian student visa expires, it is advisable to visit your local GUVM branch to make inquiries and the necessary arrangements. A list of local GUVM offices is available here. You must do this with plenty of time before your Russian student visa expires.

The Russian authorities are quite strict when it comes to foreign residents overstaying their visa. If you are caught without a valid visa, you risk a hefty fine and possible deportation from Russia. If you try to leave more than three days after your Russian student visa expiry date you will have to pay for a separate exit visa.

For information on different visa types, see our complete guide to Russian visas and permits.