Registration and visa
The decision of studying at other country is a real and serious step and it needs thorough preparation. You’ll need to adapt to different culture and laws of other country as an international student: laws, migration registration of foreigners, health insurance, a university bylaw, dormitory rules, etc.
To help you with all these new conditions the university has International Services Center.
The International Services Center takes care of foreign students in issues related to the release of invitation, student multivisa, migration registration of foreigners and accommodation in dormitories.
Here you can download the Foreign Student Manual on the Migration Rule.
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First step of getting a student visa is by obtaining an invitation from INRTU.
Prospective students have to complete all admission procedure to receive the invitation from the university. Russian Federal Migration issues the invitation within a period of 45 days.
Upon receipt of invitation, prepare visa documents and apply for visa at Russian Embassy/Consulate.
You can clarify the list of necessary documents for student visa at Russian Embassy/Consulate in your country. The initial student visa granted is valid only for 3 months. After arrival in Russia, you should apply for multi-visa.
Contacts:
phone +7 3952 40-53-71
How to extend a visa?
For student visa extension, you should apply to International Service Center 45 days before expiration.
Here is the list of necessary documents:
- A 3*4 cm matte photograph with white background
- Student’s International passport
- Student’s study contract (a copy) or an assignment for study by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
- Receipt confirming payment of State Duty (State Duty 1 year education visa is 2000 rubles - approximately $25)
- Detachable section of the migration registration
- Student’s Migration Card (the original)
- receipt confirming payment of State Duty of registration – 500 roubles (approximately $ 6-7);
- the green card of a foreigner and a paper from the migration service confirming the date of the last medical examination (for those students who have spent at least one year in Russia).
Pay attention that every time after visa extension you should pass migration registration once again.
Migration card
The purpose of the migration card is to verify that a foreign citizen crossed the Russian border legally. Without a migration card a foreign citizen cannot stay, study or legally work in Russia. Beware that the purpose of your visit to Russia is underlined correctly: study.
You can get a free migration card form onboard any mode used to get you across the border or from a passport control zone at the airport or railway station.
A Migration Card is valid until you leave Russia. When returning to the country you should fill in a new Migration Card.
In case of loss or damage of migration card you should apply to the International Services Center. It’s important to apply for a new migration card within 3 days after lost.
Migration registration
Within 7 days after entering Russia foreign citizens should apply for migration registration. For this purpose you should submit necessary documents to the University after arriving.
Documents to be submitted:
- Student’s Passport or any document of identification
- Student’s Migration Card
- Receipt confirming payment of State Duty of registration – 500 roubles (approximately $ 6-7);
Please pay attention that every time when you are registered at other places (hotels, hospitals, guest-houses, etc.) you have to apply for migration registration at the International Services Center once again.
INRTU offers accommodation to all foreign students enrolled full time. A student should provide a medical certificate including examinations results for HIV, tuberculosis, lepra, venereal diseases, malaria and chronic diseases and application for living in dormitory to the International Services Center.
All international students should have a health insurance. You can buy the health insurance at INRTU upon arriving to Russia. Cost of health insurance is about 5000-6150 RUB per year.
What is a health insurance?
A valid health insurance policy (VMI) is mandatory for foreign nationals. It provides insurance coverage for the entire period of your stay in the Russian Federation and grants access to medical services in Russia in accordance with the policy terms, including emergency medical care.
Under Clause 5.1 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25 July 2002 “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation”, a foreign citizen must have a valid health insurance policy for the entire period of stay in Russia. Staying in the Russian Federation without a valid health insurance policy is not permitted.
Which health insurance should international students purchase?
Health insurance policies vary in purpose and level of coverage. International students must purchase a specialized policy for foreigners studying at Russian universities (the “Student” program). Other types of policies may not meet the minimum coverage requirements.
What does the “Student” program typically includes?
- Outpatient care (clinic services);
- Emergency dental care (in case of acute pain);
- Medical check-up and required certificates: - for dormitory check-in (physician consultation, chest X-ray/fluorography); - for physical education classes (physician consultation, chest X-ray/fluorography, HIV blood test, ECG);
- Emergency hospitalization;
- Accident and illness insurance (partial loss of ability to work due to an accident);
- Medical transportation repatriation / repatriation.
IMPORTANT: Health insurance policies typically do not cover treatment for chronic conditions or serious illnesses. Coverage varies by insurance provider and the plan you choose.
What happens if you do not have a valid health insurance?
- You may face administrative penalties under Article 18.8(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, and in some cases this may lead to deportation from Russia;
- You will be responsible for all medical costs, including treatment, medications, and doctor or ambulance services;
- In the event of death, repatriation expenses are borne by the student’s relatives.
Where and how can you obtain a health insurance policy?
Please purchase your health insurance immediately after arriving at INRTU at International Services Center.
TRPE (Temporary Residence Permit for Educational Purposes) is a special migration status for international students and postgraduate (PhD) students that:
- is issued for the entire period of study;
- allows the holder to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit in the future.
1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRPE
TRPE may be obtained by foreign citizens studying full-time under the following programs:
- Bachelor’s degree;
- Specialist degree;
- Master’s degree;
- Postgraduate (PhD) programs.
The study must be conducted at a state-accredited educational or scientific organization.
2. VALIDITY PERIOD OF TRPE
TRPE is issued for the entire period of study plus 180 calendar days after graduation.
3. BENEFITS OF TRPE
Holding a TRPE grants an international student (postgraduate/PhD student):
- The right to reside in the Russian Federation for the entire period of study and six months after completion;
- No requirement to undergo an annual medical examination (medical examination is required only once at the time of application);
- The opportunity to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit;
- For visa-required foreign nationals: issuance of a multiple-entry visa for the validity period of the TRPE;
- The right to obtain a Compulsory Medical Insurance (CHI) policy;
- The right to obtain permanent residence registration;
- No requirement to confirm knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, or Russian legislation.
4. WHERE AND HOW TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS
The application must be submitted in person to the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in the region of study:
Irkutsk, 117 Dekabrskikh Sobytiy Street.
5. MANDATORY STEPS PRIOR TO APPLICATION
Before submitting the application, the foreign citizen must:
1. Undergo a medical examination for:
• infectious diseases;
• HIV infection;
• use of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
2. Complete:
• mandatory fingerprint registration;
• photographing.
6. LIST OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR TRPE APPLICATION
Mandatory documents:
6.1. Application for TRPE — two copies (completed in person);
6.2. Passport:
• valid for at least 3 months on the date of application;
• with a notarized Russian translation.
6.3. Two photographs (35×45 mm):
• color or black-and-white;
• matte finish;
• full-face, without headwear.
6.4. Document confirming full-time enrollment:
• copy (extract) of the enrollment order;
• certificate indicating the period of study;
• certified by the educational (scientific) organization.
6.5. Criminal record certificate with consular legalization (valid for 3 months).
6.6. Proof of payment of the state fee — 1,920 RUB (paid independently by the applicant).
6.7. Migration card;
6.8. Medical documents confirming that the applicant does not suffer from diseases posing a danger to public health and does not use narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription, issued in accordance with the established procedure;
6.9. Registration.
7. APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME
- Up to 38 working days;
- The legal period of stay in the Russian Federation is extended for the duration of the application review.
8. GROUNDS FOR TRPE CANCELLATION
TRPE is cancelled if the foreign citizen:
- switches to part-time or distance learning;
- terminates studies early;
- transfers to another institution and fails to submit proof of enrollment within one month;
- stays outside the Russian Federation for more than 6 months within one year (except in cases provided by law);
- violates migration legislation;
- submits false information or forged documents.
9. REAPPLICATION
After cancellation of a TRPE, a foreign citizen may reapply if eligible, without observing the general waiting period.
RESIDENCE PERMIT
A residence permit is a necessary step in obtaining Russian citizenship. First, a foreign citizen should obtain a temporary residence permit for the period of study (TRPE), then a residence permit, and only after that, he/she can apply for a Russian passport
Students with TRPE can apply for Residence Permit upon graduation within 3 years. If the student applies for Residence Permit within the period of TRPE, he/she may stay in Russia and receive the Residence Permit within 4 months
After obtaining a residence permit, a foreign citizen must:
- Stay in Russia for more than half a calendar year each year;
- Live at the place of registration;
- Annually submit a salary report (at least 150 thousand rubles per year) to the department of the Russian Migration Service for the Irkutsk region.
- Live in Russia and move freely around it (except for a few closed areas);
- Arriving and leaving the country as many times as he/she likes without a visa;
- Work without obtaining a labor patent or permit;
- Receive medical care under compulsory medical insurance (this does not include a number of socially dangerous diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV);
- Receive social benefits, pensions and free education, if there is a reason;
- Issue an invitation to enter the country for their relatives;
- Apply for Russian citizenship.
CITIZENSHIP OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
A residence permit is the second step in obtaining Russian citizenship.
Having obtained a residence permit, a foreign citizen has the right to apply for citizenship of the Russian Federation. After obtaining a residence permit, it is necessary to live in the region for 5 years The application is considered for 1 year.
- Residence permit;
- A document confirming a legal income and the amount of income for the period of residence in the region of the Russian Federation for 1 year preceding the date of application.
- A document confirming the Russian language knowledge at a level sufficient to communicate orally and in writing in a language environment.
- If the applicant changes his/her last name, first name or patronymic, documents certifying this change shall be provided.
To find out about work opportunities for foreign students you can here
- Medical examination in a certified medical center to confirm absence of certain diseases or drug abuse. The cost for the medical examination is 6000 RUB and is not covered by health insurance. This must be done once a year.
- Fingerprinting and taking photo in the Unified Migration Center (must be done only once). The cost of the procedure is 3100 RUB.
When the procedure is complete, a foreigner gets a card, which he or she should bring to the Center for International Services at INRTU.
Ensure you undergo this procedure within 90 days after your arrival in Russia to avoid being deported by the migration authorities.
In the following years:
Medical examination must be passed every year. After receiving results, a special paper must be taken from the Unified Migration Center. It costs around 2500 RUB.