Guide
Student visa to Russia
A Russian student visa is issued on the basis of an official invitation requested by your university. Here is the process from admission to your first extension.
Not an official government website. MigraForma is a private reference service.
Why not the e-visa
The unified e-visa is single-entry and allows a stay of up to 30 days. It cannot be used for study, and you cannot switch it to a student visa while in Russia.
Step 1: invitation
After admission, the university requests an invitation for you from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You provide a copy of your passport; check that your name and passport number in the invitation match your passport exactly. Since 26 July 2026 the state fee for an invitation is 8,000 roubles — ask your university who pays it.
Step 2: visa application
Apply at a Russian consulate or authorised visa centre in India with the invitation. Typically you need your passport, application form, photo, invitation, medical insurance and an HIV test certificate — check the exact list with the consulate.
Step 3: arrival and extension
The first student visa is usually valid for up to 90 days. After you arrive, the university registers you and applies to extend your visa — normally for up to one year, then yearly until you graduate. Keep an eye on the dates yourself: an expired visa is a violation.
Within your first months
Medical exam within 30 days of entry and fingerprinting within 90 days if you stay longer than 90 days — see medical exam and fingerprinting.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Can I study on an e-visa?
No.
Who requests the invitation?
Your Russian university.
How long is the first visa?
Usually up to 90 days, then extended by the university.
For reference only. MigraForma is a private service, not an official government website: we are not the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), a multifunctional centre (MFC) or Gosuslugi, we do not submit documents and this is not legal advice. Rules change, so check them with the migration authorities before you apply. Information checked in October 2026.