Visa
To enter Russia for any purpose, most non-Russian citizens must be holders of a valid passport and valid Russian entry visa issued by a local Russian Embassy or Consulate. A Russian Federation visa is a document that permits entry and exit within the dates fixed therein. It is impossible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival, so travellers must apply for their visas well in advance. Please note that the applicant’s passport should be valid for at least 18 months after the beginning of the planned study period! Otherwise such applicant will not obtain a Russian study visa. Please remember that you should plan to exit Russia before your visa expires.
Applicants, who wish to take the admission tests at SPbU in person, need to have a Russian visa to cross the border and to stay here legally. For applicants admitted to the University on the Russian government-funded scholarship the invitation is provided by the Russian Ministry of Education.
To get a Russian visa you need to complete the following steps:
- Fill in an application form for a visa invitation
- Submit the completed application form, a copy of your identity document and your previous Russian visa (if any) with a request to issue a visa invitation, either in person or via email. It takes 40 days to arrange a letter of invitation
- Get your Russian visa at the Russian Embassy of your country
- Don’t forget to collect the original of the invitation, either in person or by sending your authorised representative to the SPbU International Admissions Office
Visa invitation
You may collect the invitation in our office or request it to be sent to you by fax or express mail. An official invitation from SPbU will give you the right to obtain a Russian visa.
Your visa will be issued with the following information:
- Purpose of visit — Study
- Receiving party (visa sponsor) — St Petersburg University
Once you have received the invitation, please check whether your name and other details set out in the invitation are correct. The spelling of your name in the invitation shall be identical to that in your passport and educational credentials.
Medical Insurance
A VHI (voluntary medical insurance) policy is a mandatory document for foreign citizens. The absence of a VHI policy is grounds for refusal of entry into the territory of Russia. Every foreign student entering the territory of Russia must purchase a VHI policy for the entire duration of their stay.
Learn more about specific medical insurance requirements at our Medical Services page.
Migration card
Upon arrival at the Russian border, all foreign nationals must fill out a migration card with the stated purpose of stay being "study". It is a small sheet of paper perforated in the centre. Upon completion of this form, one part thereof is taken by the passport control officer while the student keeps the other part for registration and exit procedures. The migration card must be stamped by the border passport control officer. This stamp indicates the date of arrival and is required for registration with the University. These cards are available onboard international flights and at airports at the passport control.
Enrolment
As soon as you arrive, you should visit SPbU’s International Admissions Office for enrolment, student contract execution, registration of national passport.
Please be ready to provide the documents needed to enrol you as a student, to execute a student contract and to register your national passport. Our employees will explain the enrolment process and will answer any of your questions. If your arrive on a weekend or after office hours, please contact us beforehand so we could send you an accommodation permit for an SPbU hall of residence by e-mail.
Please note that you will have three days to register your national passport.