Medical Examination, Fingerprinting and Official Photographing

Owing to amendments to Federal Law “On the Legal Status of Foreign Persons in the Russian Federation” international students arriving in Russia for a period of more than 90 days must undergo a medical examination, fingerprinting and official photographing.

Who are exempt from the new procedures:

• citizens of the Republic of Belarus;
• family members of staff of international organizations, as well as employees of diplomatic and consular institutions in Russia;
• persons with dual citizenship, one of which is Russian citizenship;
• foreign citizens who hold temporary or permanent residency permits.

These procedures are obligatory for all international students (with the exception of the abovementioned categories) staying in the Russian Federation for more than 90 days.

Step-by-step instructions for the new procedures can be viewed on the website of the HSE Visa and Registration Centre. 


The following penalties can be applied to those who have not completed the established procedures or failed to complete them on time: deportation and for a ban on further entry to Russia.