Step-by-step guide

If you have Russian passport, you must enter Russia with it

For the countries with a visa-free regime (except for the Republic of Belarus) - register your trip in the app 'ruID' at least 72 hours before arrival (the earlier, the better)

Pass the border control at the airport, receive the migration card (except for the Republic of Belarus), check for mistakes and whether the purpose of stay is indicated as 'study'. Do not lose or throw this document away!

Meet your buddy in the arrivals hall (if you've had an agreement)

Exchange some currency in the airport if you need

Get a 'Podorozhnik' transport card in the metro station and deposit money for the first week till you wait for student transport card

Check in to the dorm and visit the dorm administration during working hours (9:30 - 18:00) to submit the required documents and receive further instructions

If you live in HSE dorm, on the day of checking in, send scans of all passport pages (even blank ones!) and migration card to migrationspb@hse.ru and receive a confirmation e-mail. Our Centre for Visa & Immigration Support will apply for a FIS-registration for you. If you plan to stay in a hotel or private apartment before check-in, it is better to discuss the check-in and registration process in advance with your mobility coordinator

If you live in a private apartment, you still need to send scans of documents to migrationspb@hse.ru on the first day of arrival to Russia but along with it you must get registered at your actual place of stay within 7 working days upon your arrival. As soon as you receive the registration document from your landlord, you must send it to migrationspb@hse.ru

Make a translation of your passport at a translation agency for further procedures and certify it with an official notary in Russia. Remember that you keep should the original notarised translation and submit copies to various authorities

Follow International Student & Alumni Centre on Telegram to stay updated on all things international and extracurricular in the campus

Send a scan of your purchased Medical Insurance to incomingspb@hse.ru (If you don’t have one, check Medical Aid & Insurance page for recommendations and buy an insurance as soon as possible!) According to Russian migration laws, all foreign citizens must have medical insurance while entering Russia valid for the entire period of their stay exactly to the day. Moreover, a student won't be able to extend a Russian study visa without valid medical insurance. HSE University - Saint Petersburg reserves the right to expell exchange students who refuse to get medical insurance

Come to Orientation session to learn vital information about your studies and life in Saint Petersburg (dates will be sent out by email or via Telegram chat closer to the start of the semester). Don't forget to bring a 3x4 photo. Attendance is mandatory!

If you were unable to attend the orientation session for a valid reason, please visit the International Student Mobility Office with a 3x4 matte photo to sign all necessary documents and to receive your electronic pass to the HSE buildings as well as Student ID. Don't forget to bring a 3x4 photo

As soon as you receive an invitation via corporate e-mail, come to Centre for Visa & Immigration Support to get your registration paper (for those who live in the dorm)

Once you have your registration ready, you can go through the procedures for purchasing a SIM card: issuing SNILS, registering biometrics, opening an account on Gosuslugi platform. Read the detailed instructions (Instruction)

Some banks offer to go through the procedures and issue SIM cards in one place, for example, Sber

Apply for a bank card at any of the banks (Sber, VTB, T-bank, Alfabank)

Check your courses during the “shopping period” (first two weeks of each semester) and ask your Incoming coordinator to make changes if needed

Start the process of medical examination, fingerprinting, photographing within 2 weeks upon arrival (you will need a FIS-registration paper for that) and receive the green certificate in 2-3 weeks + send it to migrationspb@hse.ru. It is extremely important to pass the procedure as soon as possible because you will need the certificate for visa extension. Detailed instruction

After receiving a notification from your coordinators, apply for your student transport card (BSK) at any metro station (can take several days) or at the "BSC Issuing Center" (Address: per. Chernoretsky, 3 (metro station "Alexander Nevsky Pl.-2"); opening hours: 09:30 - 19:30, daily; tel.: 301-97-74), in this case, the card will be produced on the day of application (you must present your passport, student ID; no photo required).

Check your Smart LMS, HSE App and corporate e-mail daily

If you're a free mover student, pay for your studies within a week after signing the Educational Agreement and send the payment slip to incomingspb@hse.ru for confirmation

Upon invitation (to your corporate email!), come to Centre for Visa & Immigration Support to submit your documents for visa extension. If for a good reason you are unable to come at the specified date and time, inform the staff of the Center in a reply letter so that a new date is set for you. Make sure you submit all documets till the deadline, otherwise, your visa won't be extended and you will have to leave Russia. Check the lists here - I live in the dorm / I live in the private apartment

Receive your extended visa and if you live in a private apartment, re-register within 3 working days at your place of stay

Enjoy your time in Russia! ♥