MBBS in Russia: An Introduction
Russia is the best country for Indian students to study MBBS. There can be several reasons of we think so! Not only the country has renowned medical universities but also has a 100% acceptance rate after graduating from Russia.
So naturally, first-time students planning for MBBS in Russia will have tons of questions. Like which is the best MBBS college in Russia and the cost of education there.
Every individual has different questions to ask. But the most important question remains the same for all. How to apply for a student visa for Russia?
The country attracts millions of students from all over the world. Especially for their globally acclaimed MBBS courses. And it can be a bit of a struggle to apply for a Russian student visa from India. That is when overseas education consultants like us pave way for an easier visa application process.
In this blog, we will be highlighting the documents for a Russian visa. And the process of how to apply for a student visa for Russia.
Which country requires a Russian student visa?
Since Russia is not a member of the EU/EFTA, all EU/EFTA citizens need to apply for a study visa. But to study MBBS in Russia, the citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) do not require a student visa.
If you are a citizen of the following countries, you do not need a visa but you will require a valid passport –
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Ukraine
If you are a citizen of the following countries, you can apply for a university without needing a passport or visa –
- Abkhazia
- Azerbaijan
- Moldova
- Southern Ossetia
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
The types of visas in Russia
There are different types of visas to enter Russia. Those candidates who aspire to study in Russia at their dream university can apply for a student visa. Students will receive an invite from the chosen university and the country issues visas for the candidate.
There are three types of visas issued by the Russian Federation –
- Single Entry
- Double Entry
- Multiple Entry
Student visas for Russia are valid for 90 days and further, they can be extended as per the duration of the course. The authority to extend the visa is the Ministry of Interior. The candidate can file for a visa extension when they arrive in Russia.
For post-doctoral research or to attend a seminar, an individual needs to apply for a Humanitarian Visa. Russian student visas are valid for only three months (90 days) so to extend you need to visit the local division. The local division of the Russian Federation’s Federal Migration Service (FMS of Russia) will extend a one-year multi-visa. This allows an individual to enter Russia many times.
Student visa requirements for Russia
Having the correct documents for a Russian student visa is necessary. It is the most fundamental step of the entire admission process. Here are the student visa requirements for Russia from India.
- Students must have an original invitation letter from the university. It will be provided by the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation
- A negative certificate of HIV and COVID-19 taken with in the last three months. The certificate must be valid for atleast a month on the day of your application
- A valid passport along with a filled visa application form
- Latest passport size photographs and last three-month bank statement
Note: If you are below 18 years, you can provide consent either from your parents or legal guardians.
Processing time for Russian student visa
In certain cases, the visas are obtained within a couple of weeks. But for other cases, visa applications from India may take longer, up to 30 days. The cost of student visa processing depends on the country and state you are applying from. You can confirm with the Russian Embassy consulate or apply for visa services from an education consultant like us.
How to apply for a Russian student visa from India?
After you have chosen the university and received the documents required for the visa, you can begin the application process. You will have to undergo some steps to get a student visa for Russia online.
Here is the complete online visa application process for Russia –
- You need to collect the invitation letter provided by the Russian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs or from the chosen university in Russia
- Next, you can visit fill out the online application form at the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Attach all the documents asked and make sure to provide accurate information
- Submit the application for a visa and pay the fee that’ll be mentioned in the next section of the website
If you find applying for a Russian visa a hassle or do not have much time. Then you can consult with Nix Study Abroad and we will handle your application process.
Extension for a Russian student visa
If you intend to remain in Russia and continue with your studies, you need to extend your Russian visa. If you stay in Russia without a valid visa after expiring then you are liable for a fine or a 5-year prohibition from entering the country.
You will need the following documents to extend your visa:
- Original passport
- Completed application form
- Passport size photograph
- A copy of your enrolment agreement
- A referral from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
- A letter stating your reason for extending the visa
- Original and copy of migration card
- A detachable section of the arrival notification form
FAQs
Students are advised not to work since MBBS is a difficult and very important course and it requires a lot of attentiveness.
As a student, you can expect a monthly expense about RUB 15,000 to RUB 35,000 which is INR 15000 – INR 35000. But this highly depends on the neighbourhood and city you decide to reside. Moscow and Saint Petersburg are expensive cities to live in.
Ideally, if you are applying from India, it can take up to five weeks to get your student visa. So apply accordingly.
