Moving to Russia
Thinking about studying and living in Russia? Need information and advice about moving. This section is for you. It contains all the useful materials on options and possibilities of living in Russia, migration policy, and necessary documents.
Read our tips and make your move simple and easy.
Study and accommodation
Russia is a country with a rich culture, history and traditions. For international students wishing to pursue higher education in Russia, there are many opportunities for accommodation.
The first thing to note is the availability of accommodation. Most cities in Russia have student hostels that provide comfortable rooms with all the necessary amenities. In addition, many universities have their own dormitories or cooperate with other organizations to accommodate their students.
MoreThe stories of our students
Erick Flores
Many international students choose MIPT, and everyone has their own history of choice. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I realized that a new life was waiting for me. I had a lot of opportunities back home, but I found something special at MIPT. Already in my first year of study at MIPT, we discovered a lot of new things thanks to wonderful textbooks in Russian and English. I was amazed by all the opportunities that MIPT provides us.
MIPT has excellent teachers who are always ready to help. I had amazing mentors who helped me at every stage.
I am very glad that I was able to enroll in Physics and Technology, and I believe that studying here will give me every chance to become who I want to be. Studying at Phys Tech has become a part of me!
Yunying Pey
My name is Yunying, I am a third-year student of the Applied Data Analysis program at the Faculty of Computer Science. When I think about studying at the Higher School of Economics, the word "growth" comes to mind first. In two and a half years of studying here, I have acquired a huge amount of new knowledge. Besides, for me, self-development is also associated with growth. I was able to solve many difficult tasks at HSE, now I am more confident in myself and ready for new achievements.
I am very lucky to study at such a friendly and modern university. I advise everyone who is interested in this to try to enroll in the Higher School of Economics. You won't regret it!
Anindita Mukherjee
My name is Anindita Mukherjee. I came to Russia with my husband, who is a senior researcher at the Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin.
Here I completed my master's degree in food biotechnology and am now defending my dissertation on urban chemistry. My thesis is based on an experimental basis. For research, you need a lot of chemicals, magnetic racks, a little spectroscopy. I get everything and never feel any problems. The supervisor is also very good. I like Yekaterinburg because it is very calm and clean. Russia is a very developed country with many opportunities. The food here is delicious and healthy. It's a little cold, but it's good. After I defend my PhD thesis, I want to continue my studies and will receive a doctorate degree. Or I'll work for a food production company. These are my plans for the future. I will never give up and always treat people positively.
Igor Michel Adami
My name is Igor Michel Adami, I am from Brazil. I entered UrFU for a master's degree program in International Relations, and now I am defending my PhD thesis in history, including the history of international relations. I first heard about UrFU when I applied to study abroad at my university. I had several options. I chose UrFU because research in the field of international relations was closely linked to research in the field of security, and this became my number one choice. Then I found my supervisor. In the near future, my life will be focused on finishing graduate school and defending my thesis.
I think the vast majority of people in Russia who work with international students are those who are willing to do anything to help you.
Yara Almoussa
My name is Yara Almoussa. I completed my master's degree at the I. Kant BFU in the field of Linguistics and am now studying in graduate school. I love this university — besides studying, I especially like extracurricular and student activities. I am very glad that I chose this university one day. Teachers are always happy to help students, and student clubs are always waiting for you. In addition, the program I study in guarantees a high chance of employment in the future. I think that the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University deserves great praise. I really love going to our university library, the variety of books both on campus and in the online library has greatly helped in the course of writing my final qualifying work. All available laboratory equipment allows students to gain the necessary practical experience.
In my opinion, the dormitories at the I. Kant BFU are the best in Russia. I would definitely like to recommend the I. Kant BFU to all international students. The quality of education here is very high, and the city of Kaliningrad itself is very cozy and beautiful.
Afraa Mohammad
Before becoming a PhD student in biological sciences at MIPT, I studied Russian and received a master's degree from another university. Although I lived comfortably and well, I applied for admission to graduate school at MIPT as soon as I heard about the opening of such an opportunity. And why at MIPT? What is its peculiarity? Well, where to start: a modern university with a high rating all over the world, especially in the field of technology and its applications. A young, highly educated team. A rich student life with many cultural and sporting events, football matches, competitions, performances, concerts and clubs, etc. Last but not least, modern equipped laboratories with sufficient funding and interesting projects.
Melissa Vasquez
My name is Melissa Vasquez, I'm from Ecuador. I am studying at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad in the third year of the specialty "Medicine". The training is conducted in Russian. I learned about this university from the Russian Embassy in Ecuador, as well as from a friend who told me about the advantages of studying in Kaliningrad, and that the I. Kant BFU has a federal status and provides excellent education.
What I like most about the university is the medical simulation center, its infrastructure and equipment, because it has everything you need to acquire and improve professional skills. After graduation, I plan to return to my homeland after mastering my specialty.
Pierre Maudet
My name is Pierre, I am 24 years old, I am from France. I am currently studying in Russia at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad. First of all, studying in Russia means that you will have to learn a new language and immerse yourself in a new culture, and it is also an opportunity to look at familiar things in a new way. Learning a new language is a good personal experience that will be useful in professional life. I've been studying Russian for 10 months, it's quite difficult, but our teachers are wonderful, the atmosphere in our group is also wonderful, and it makes learning easier. Also here I have the opportunity to teach French to university students at the French Language Club, and this is a unique experience for both students and me.
I. Kant BFU offers a wide range of programs that you can choose after graduating from the preparatory department or enroll in them immediately. I want to continue my studies and study for a master's degree in Business Informatics at the same university.
Natalia Camacho
I am a second-year student at the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology of MEPhI. I decided to go to Russia because I want to get a good education, and I was also interested in the culture and way of life of people, and of course, the language. When I arrived, I didn't understand anything in Russian. At first, I studied language, physics and mathematics at the preparatory faculty. Then, in the first year, all the pairs were taught only in Russian. The teachers spoke fluently - faster than in the preparatory department. I didn't understand anything on the first day, but now I feel comfortable talking and learning. I also fell in love with Moscow.
I have a lot of funny stories, many of them related to learning Russian. One teacher asked me my name. I answered - Natalia. She said that I have Russian roots. I only answered "yes, yes," but I didn't understand anything. Now we remember this story together with a smile.
MEPhI for me is friendship, love, sincerity! There are many opportunities for development and achievement of goals at the university.
Soumojit Mukherjee
They usually call me Soum. I am a 4th year student at the Institute of Financial Technologies and Economic Security of the National Research University MEPhI. My field is financial monitoring. I wanted to get an engineering degree, but I was also always interested in economics. When the competition opened for foreign citizens for the first time, I immediately submitted the documents.
I have been in Russia for 5 years now. At first, he studied at the preparatory department in Obninsk. The training was entirely in Russian.
When I arrived in Moscow, I met the curators and classmates at the "Instructions for Use" (a meeting of first-year students of the MEPhI National Research University). Studying at the MEPhI National Research University is a great opportunity to do science. You can find any teacher, discuss the topic, write a research paper and publish it. Now I am the ambassador of Russian nuclear education, I am a member of the Board of Dormitories, I manage the English club. My advice: first of all, you need to take the initiative, and then people will help.
Migration policy
Foreign students need a package of documents to enter the territory of the Russian Federation. In this section you will find useful tips and recommendations on how to prepare documents, as well as information on the rules and requirements to be observed when crossing the border and residing in Russia.
MoreTips for international students
Moving to Russia is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet amazing people and discover unique opportunities. Before moving to another country you should plan everything carefully. In this section, we have collected useful tips for international students that will help at this exciting stage.
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