When you want to study in Russia, it's essential to find out about the formalities involved in entering the country. These include applying for a visa, of which the unified e-visa is an interesting alternative for travellers. In this article, we answer the following question: Is it possible to obtain a unified e-visa if I go to Russia to study?
Unified e-visa: what is it?
The unified e-visa is an electronic document issued by the Russian authorities to enable foreign nationals to visit certain regions of the country for tourism, private, business or humanitarian purposes. It was introduced to facilitate access to Russian territory and simplify procedures for travellers.
This type of visa has several advantages:
- An entirely online procedurewithout having to go to the embassy or consulate;
- Reduced costs compared with traditional visas;
- Fast turnaround timesgenerally between 4 and 20 days;
- Valid for 60 days from the date of issue, for a maximum stay of 16 days.
Nationals of a number of countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and other members of the European Union, are eligible for the unified e-visa. It allows you to stay anywhere in Russiaincluding the cities of Moscow, St Petersburg, Kaliningrad and the Russian Far East. In the past, it was limited to just a few areas.
Can I obtain a unified e-visa to study in Russia?
Unfortunately, the unified e-visa does not allow you to study in Russia. It is only issued for the purposes listed above (tourism, business, private visits and humanitarian aid) and does not cover educational or scientific trips.
To study in Russia, you need to apply for a specific visa, the student visa. This document must be applied for at the Russian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence, and requires you to provide a number of documents, such as :
- A passport valid;
- A letter of invitation issued by the Russian educational establishment;
- A medical certificate certifying the absence of contagious diseases;
- A certificate of financial responsibilityto prove that you have the necessary resources to support yourself during your stay in Russia.
The student visa is issued for the duration of the planned period of study, up to a maximum of one year. It can then be renewed locally if necessary.
Unified E-visa and studying in Russia: what are the alternatives?
While it is impossible to use a unified e-visa to study in Russia, there are a few options for combining the advantages of this type of visa with an educational project:
Doing an internship or short training course
If you want to take part in an internship or short training course (less than 16 days) as part of a professional programme, you can apply for a unified e-visa for business purposes. This authorises activities linked to skills development and training, provided that the maximum length of stay is respected.
Making your first tourist trip
In order to discover Russia and its study opportunities, it may be a good idea to make an initial tourist trip to the country using the unified e-visa. This will enable you to familiarise yourself with Russian culture, visit university campuses and meet local students, before applying for a student visa for a longer stay.
An agency service 