1
Mandatory Fingerprinting and Medical Examination
Foreign citizens staying in Russia for a long period (over 90 days) must complete mandatory procedures established by Russian law. These procedures include the following.
All guides
Student Guide
Mandatory Procedures & Useful Services
Key procedures and services for a long stay in Russia — from fingerprinting and medical checks to SIM cards and government services.
2
1. Fingerprinting and Photographing
Foreign citizens may be required to complete:
- Fingerprint registration
- Digital photographing
The procedure is only carried out by authorized government authorities in the specific region where the student will be residing.
3
2. Medical Examination
Foreign citizens must complete medical examinations at authorized medical organizations. The examination may include checks for:
- Infectious diseases
- Tuberculosis
- HIV infection
- Drug use
Timeline: Students should complete these procedures within the required period after arrival — either 30 or 90 days from the date of arrival, depending on the type of visa. Upon completion, they receive official medical clearance records confirming their legal extended stay in Russia.
4
Buying a SIM Card in Russia
A Russian mobile number is useful for communication, banking services, government services and internet access. Foreign students can buy SIM cards from official mobile operators:
- MTS
- MegaFon
- Beeline
- T2
5
Documents required for buying a Sim Card
Usually, foreign citizens need:
- Passport
- Migration card
- Migration registration document
- SNILS (in applicable cases)
- Other identification information required by the operator
Due to new digital identification requirements, foreign citizens may need to complete additional verification procedures. Students should purchase SIM cards only from official operator stores.
6
Useful Official Services
7
Student Support — Who to Contact
For questions related to visa, migration registration, employment, medical procedures or daily life in Russia, students should contact the international office of their educational institution or official government services for accurate and up-to-date guidance.