Last Checks Before You Fly to Russia
A short list for your last two weeks: papers, money, packing and your first days in Russia.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Final Pre-Departure Preparation
Use this list in your last two weeks at home. Tick off each part.
Why This Checklist Is Essential
- Foreign bank cards do not work in Russia, so a money plan matters.
- You must register your address (tell the government where you live) within 7 working days of arriving, and do your medical check within 30 days after you enter Russia.
When To Complete This Checklist
- 2 Weeks Before: Check your papers and your money plan.
- 1 Week Before: Tell your university your arrival date. Pack your hand luggage.
- Arrival Day: On the day you arrive, fill in your migration card (the form you fill in when you enter Russia) and tell your university.
Comprehensive Checklist
Travel Papers
How long your passport must stay valid depends on where you apply. India and Islamabad: 6 months after the visa ends. Karachi: 1.5 years counted from the first day of the visa.
The letter your university got for you. Keep the original with your passport.
Cover for your whole stay, or until your university arranges a Russian policy.
For Your First Weeks
Useful for forms after you arrive.
The medical check and fingerprinting need copies of your passport, visa, migration card and registration slip.
Baggage Allowances
- Passport, visa and visa invitation.
- Insurance policy.
- Cash for the first days.
- Medicines with the doctor's note.
Initial Financial Planning
Budget planning for your first month and initial setup costs. Amounts vary by city and lifestyle.
| Category | First Month | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dormitory (National University of Science and Technology MISIS) | RUB 5,400 (Russian roubles) a month for a place in a double room | At National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS) in Moscow. Other universities differ. |
| Health insurance (National University of Science and Technology MISIS) | RUB 8,500 a year, paid once when you arrive | The policy NUST MISIS arranges with a Russian insurer. |
| Transport (Moscow) | RUB 595 a month for the student metro pass, plus RUB 380 a month for the road transport pass (buses) | The student pass can take a couple of months. Until then you pay normal fares. |
| Food (National University of Science and Technology MISIS campus) | About RUB 7,500 to 15,000 a month | If you eat in campus cafeterias every day. Cooking yourself costs less. |
- Plan how money will reach you before you fly. Foreign cards do not work in Russia.
- Keep your fee invoice and admission letter for bank transfers from India.
- Admission letter and fee invoice from the university.
- Your passport and your family member's ID for transfers from India.
Additional Support Resources
Emergency number
112
Fire, police and ambulance. Free, and works without a SIM card.
Other numbers
103
103 for ambulance, 101 for fire, 102 for police.
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