Documents for foreigners in Russia from scratch: notarised translation, SNILS, INN, medical check

Notarised passport translation

A translator translates; the notary certifies the translator’s signature. The tariff is 100 ₽ plus legal and technical services — 500 ₽ in the Moscow region (2026). The translation itself is paid separately at market price (not confirmed). Your Latin-script name must match on every document: visa, insurance, contracts, bank.

Why you need it: a SIM card, SNILS and a Gosuslugi account all ask for your passport and its notarised translation.

Official sources: Notary chamber · 2026 tariffs · Unified Biometric System · SIM for foreigners

SNILS

Resident and temporarily staying foreigners get SNILS (highly qualified specialists follow a special procedure). Apply at the Social Fund (SFR), an MFC or through your employer with your passport and a form; for TRP/residence-permit holders, that document. It is usually issued on the spot, sometimes within 5 days.

Official sources: Social Fund (SFR) · foreigners · Unified Biometric System · SIM for foreigners

INN (tax number)

At the tax office with form 2-2-Uchet, your passport and a document proving your right to stay. Since September 2026 no application is needed if your biometrics are confirmed in ESIA (Gosuslugi).

Official sources: Federal Tax Service · INN · Federal Tax Service · INN via Gosuslugi

Medical check and fingerprinting: 30 days

Fingerprinting and photo — once. Medical check (drugs, tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, HIV) — within 30 days of entry for everyone staying more than 90 days, since 1 September 2026; students too. Repeated yearly. Belarus citizens are exempt. Where: Moscow — Bolshaya Bronnaya 3 (for students, according to MAI) and the Sakharovo migration centre; in the regions — MVD units and authorised organisations.

People colloquially call the document issued after fingerprinting a “green card”. We could not find an official name or form, so we call it the fingerprinting document.

Official sources: HSE University · medical check · ConsultantPlus · medical check in 30 days · Customs academy · fingerprinting · MAI · medical check

Recognition of your diploma

To enter a Russian university with a foreign document you go through Glavexpertcentre. Rosobrnadzor decides, within up to 45 days (can be extended). For countries with mutual-recognition agreements no procedure is needed; the list is on Glavexpertcentre’s site.

Official sources: RosNOU · recognition of education · Glavexpertcentre · recognition

Common questions from foreign students