New Migration Rules for International Students in Russia

Foreign nationals have to register their de-facto place of living with the local authorities.

International students planning to study at a Russian university have to register with the migration authorities within seven days from their arrival in the country. The registration is handled by domestic universities. A foreigner has to bring all the required documents to the the university’s International Office and its staff will complete the procedure. Earlier, the university’s legal address was entered as the place of the student’s residence which could differ from his or her de-facto address. Under the migration law amendments effective from 8 July 2018, a student’s de-facto address must be designated as the place of registration. If a student lives in a university dormitory, dormitory staff will register them at this address. If a student plans to rent an apartment, they are registered with the authorities of the district where the apartment is located by the apartment owner. A student, assisted by university staff, prepares all the required documents and passes them to the landlord.

Keep in mind that foreign nationals must register every time after leaving Russia and re-entering. Registered students currently staying in Russia do not have to complete this procedure. They have to register under new rules upon their next arrival in Russia. More information on migration registration for foreigners is here.