Your first month in Russia: a day-by-day checklist for foreign students

Days 1–3: SIM card

Since 1 January 2025 — only with biometrics. The chain: SNILS → Gosuslugi account (bank/MFC) → biometrics at a bank → contract at a phone shop (passport + notarised translation, IMEI) → activation on Gosuslugi. Until then — roaming or an eSIM from home.

Transport: Troika (Moscow), Podorozhnik (St Petersburg). Apps: Yandex Go, 2GIS, Moscow Metro.

Official sources: Unified Biometric System · SIM for foreigners · Garant · SIM cards for foreigners · Moscow Transport · Podorozhnik

Days 1–7: registration

Hand in your passport for migration registration: at the university on your first working day; in a flat, to the owner, within 7 working days.

Official sources: Samara University · arrival protocol · Federal Law 109-FZ

Days 4–14: dorm, insurance, Mir card

International office, moving into the dorm, DMS health insurance (if you did not buy it for the visa), and a Mir card at any major bank with your passport and its translation.

Official sources: HSE University · insurance

By day 30: medical check and fingerprinting

Since 1 September 2026 the deadline is day 30 after entry. Don’t leave it to the end of the month.

Official sources: HSE University · medical check

Days 30–60: multi-entry visa

Extend your visa to multi-entry. The university starts the process 1–1.5 months after arrival; processing takes 4–6 weeks, and you cannot leave Russia meanwhile.

Official sources: HSE St Petersburg · before arrival

Common questions from foreign students