Immigration laws and registration policies of Russian Federation
Hi, international student! We are happy to welcome you to our university! Our International Campus is here to provide you with all the opportunities and support you need!
For any questions related to your studies, you can contact your Academic Office.
For all questions related to migration registration and visas, please contact the Centre for Visa & Immigration Support (CVMS).
Contacts: Marina Bitosova, Druzhina Valeriia
Email: migrationspb@hse.ru
Phone: +7 (812) 644-59-11 (ext. 61577, ext. 61238)
Address: Office 1005, 3 Kantemirovskaya Street, Saint Petersburg
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 11:00–15:00
Website: spb.hse.ru/io/ivs/
Attention! According to the new Federal Law dated 27.06.2018 N163-FZ all international visitors are subject to registration with the Federal Immigration Office (FIS) strictly under the actual address of their stay in Russia. This provision results in the following updates in the FIS Registration Policy towards international visitors of HSE St. Petersburg:
For all questions related to social support during your student life, you can contact the Centre for Social and Scholarship Support.
For questions related to accommodation, please contact the Accommodation Organization Department.
All departments of HSE St. Petersburg work with both Russian and international students.
For any other questions not related to studies, social support, accommodation, migration registration, or visas, you can contact the International Student and Alumni Centre (ISAC). We will help you resolve your issue or advise you on where to go to receive the necessary assistance and answers.
You can find information on how to obtain voluntary health insurance (VHI) here. Please note that having a valid VHI policy is mandatory for legal stay in the Russian Federation.
In addition, ISAC organizes social, cultural, and adaptation events and helps international students learn more about Russia and make new friends.
Contacts: Olga Gaidova, Ivana Angjelovska, Kristina Vakhrukova, Evgenii Maksimov
Phone: +7 (812) 644-59-11 (доб. 61745)
Email: isso@hse.ru
Telegram: https://t.me/hse_spb_isso, https://t.me/hsespbinternational
Vk: Иностранные студенты НИУ ВШЭ — Санкт-Петербург
24/7 emergency phone number for contacting ISAC: +7 (981) 830-15-40
Address: Office 343, Building 1, Letter A, 3 Kantemirovskaya Street, Saint Petersburg
Website: https://spb.hse.ru/io/intersupport
Migration Regulations (Migration Card, Visa, and Temporary Registration)
Below you will find important information on the main migration and visa-related matters. Please read it carefully!
Your main documents in Russia are your passport, migration card, visa, temporary registration, and medical examination certificate (the “green card”). Always keep these documents with you!
You will receive a migration card every time you enter Russia. While you are studying at the university, you must always indicate “Study” as the purpose of your visit. As a rule, the migration card is valid for 90 days from the date of arrival, after which it must be extended.
If you live in a private apartment/flat
It is the responsibility of your landlord to secure your FIS Registration in this flat each time it is required (check-in and each re-entry to Russia).
Before you check-in to a private flat, sign a Tenancy Contract and pay the rental fee, make sure that your landlord agrees to perform your FIS Registration and that your landlord is authorized to do so. Carefully read the FIS Registration Policy for HSE Student with Private Housing, check out the required documents, terms and procedures and discuss it with your landlord.
Important to know
- Each time you plan to enter Russia, inform your study office and Visa and Immigration Support Office (VISO) of your arrival in advance.
- Each time you stay in a hostel, hotel or hospital (even for 1 day, even within Saint Petersburg), your previous FIS Registration becomes void, and you need to apply for a new FIS Registration.
- Each time you leave and re-enter the Russian Federation, your previous FIS Registration becomes void, and you have to apply for a new FIS Registration.
- At the border control when entering Russia double check that your personal data is indicated correctly in the Migration Card: name, date stamp, the purpose of visit («study» for students).
- Keep your Migration Card, your FIS Registration and your passport safe. It will take quite a lot of time and money to recover the documents if lost. In case of loss please refer to the «Documents lost» section.
- International Office does not provide copy-shop services. Please make sure you have all required copies with you when applying to International Office for registration or visa extension. Use the HSE public print system or print centres in the city!
- Each time you obtain a new FIS registration or change the place of residence, please inform the Visa and Immigration Support Office (VISO) about this by sending an email and a copy of your new FIS registration to migrationspb@hse.ru. This would greatly help us to keep track of your registration and to make sure you avoid any breaches of the law! VISO contacts are listed below.
- International students with Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) obtained in Saint-Petersburg must reside and register at the address that is indicated in their PRP and thus cannot be accommodated and registered in the HSE student dormitory!
Documents lost
If any of your critical documents (passport, migration card, visa, FIS Registration slip) got lost or stolen:
- Immediately report the issue to your local Police department or to a Police department near to the area where you think your documents were lost or stolen
- Receive a Police claim confirming the loss or theft of a particular document
- Immediately contact the Visa and Immigration Support Office (VISO) and report the issue
Please note: failure to immediately report to the Police the loss/theft of any of these documents is a breach of the migration law that may result in a fine and/or deportation and a re-entry ban.
Contacts
The HSE Visa and Immigration Support Office (VISO) is always happy to answer your questions regarding immigration and visa support procedures and policies.
Please feel free to visit us in person at 123 Kanala Griboedova emb., office 304 or contact us at:
VISO team: Anna Evdokimova, Anna Mescheryakova, Marina Bitosova
Email: migrationspb@hse.ru; visasupportspb@hse.ru
Tel.: +7 (812) 644-59-11 (ext. 61577, ext. 61238)
Adaptation and Support
Any other questions not related to study or migration registration and visas can be asked at the International Student Support Office (ISSO). ISSO team will help you to solve your question, or they will tell you where to go to get help and answers.
To obtain a medical insurance policy (it is a mandatory document for a legal stay on the territory of the Russian Federation), also contact ISSO.
In addition, the International Student Support Office organizes social and cultural events and helps international students learn more about Russia and other cultures.
ISSO team: Irina Komarova
Tel.: +7 (812) 644-59-11 (ext. 61748)
Email: isso@hse.ru
Hotline for emergency situations (including WhatsApp and Telegram): +7 (981) 830-15-40
Address: 123 Kanala Griboedova emb., office 215
Website: https://spb.hse.ru/en/io/intersupport/
Telegram: https://t.me/hse_spb_isso
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Assoсiation of International Students
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