Student Visa

Standard student visas are issued to citizens of France, other countries or stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for study purposes on the basis of an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (MOI), or on the basis of a decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia) or on the basis of direct letter from the Russian academic institution.

Student visas are either single-entry or double-entry, and are valid for 90 days.

The visa may be subsequently extended by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place where the foreign national resides and is based, for migration records, by issuing a multi-entry visa for the duration of the study contract, entered into in accordance with the educational legislation of the Russian Federation, but by no more than 1 year for each subsequent visa.

Please be reminded that a visa can be accepted, modified or refused by the Embassy of the Russian Federation or may be subject to additional verifications.

Please note that each visa application needs to be accompanied by a visa fee for the amount applicable to particular visa type. Visa fees vary depending on the nationality of the applicant, visa type, number of entries and processing time.

Please note that in addition to the visa fee applicants are required to pay the Russia Visa Application Centre Service Charge of EUR 30 (including VAT) for each visa application. An additional EUR 30 (including VAT) will be charged for provision of Express Visa Services.

The Russian Visa Application Centre accepts payments for visa fees, mandatory VFS Service Charge and optional Value Added Services, which the applicant may choose to purchase.

Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre in Euros by cash or by major Credit or Debit Cards.

Please note that all payments made are non-refundable.

Visa fees for citizens of France and citizens of European Union*

Note - If you are stateless or are not a French citizen or the European Union, please indicate the cost of your visa to the operator of the call centre of the Russian visa centre.

The cost and time of the issuance of visas to citizens of other countries and stateless persons are calculated on the "Tariff of fees for consular acts perceived by the consular institutions of the Russian Federation."

Transfer and re-issue of a valid visa

Kindly print the check list which corresponds with the visa category you wish to apply for and attach it with your application. It must be filled in and signed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Print Student Visa Checklist

Note: The photographs submitted must meet with these specifications.

Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:

• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).
• Please stick the Photograph on the Visa Application Form.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in France processes visa applications and decide whether or not to issue a visa within the processing times service standards (usually between 4 and 10 working days). This is subject to a complete set of documents being provided and consular fees paid.

The processing times may vary according to the decision of the Consular establishment.

In emergency cases an urgent visa application may be submitted. In such cases the processing time can be shortened to just 3 working days or less, if an order to that effect has been given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Federal Migration Service of Russia or the Ambassador or Consul General of the Russian Federation.

In addition, some applications may take 30 days if deemed necessary by the Consulate.

To complete the online visa application form, please go Here.