Your First Days as an International Student in Russia
Receiving your admission, invitation, and visa is a major milestone, but your journey does not end at the airport.
The first days after arriving in Russia are important because international students may need to complete several university, migration, accommodation, and medical procedures.
Preparing in advance and staying in contact with the SOLKAF team can make these first steps much easier.
1. Before You Leave for Russia
Once your travel arrangements are confirmed, contact the SOLKAF team and provide your expected arrival information.
SOLKAF will inform the university of your planned arrival and help coordinate the next steps related to your arrival.
Before departure, make sure you know:
Your confirmed arrival date
Your arrival city and airport
Your flight details
Your expected arrival time
Your accommodation arrangements
Dormitory check-in information, if applicable
How to contact the SOLKAF team after arrival
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or your arrival date changes, inform the SOLKAF team as soon as possible so the relevant information can be updated with the university.
Do not assume that your dormitory room or university arrival arrangements are automatically ready. Confirm your arrangements before travelling.
2. Prepare Your Important Documents
Keep your essential documents together and easily accessible during your journey.
Depending on your situation, these may include:
Passport
Valid student visa, if required
University admission documents
Study invitation or related documents
Education documents
Required translations
Medical or insurance documents requested for your studies
University and accommodation information
SOLKAF contact information
Your university may require additional documents depending on your situation.
Keep important originals in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage.
Secure digital copies can also be useful as a backup, but they do not necessarily replace original documents when originals are required.
3. Entering Russia
At the border, follow the instructions of the Russian border authorities and provide the documents requested for your entry.
Carefully check any migration or entry documents issued or completed during the arrival process.
Make sure your personal information is correct and keep all documents you receive safely.
If you are unsure about a document you receive when entering Russia, do not discard it. Keep it safely and contact the SOLKAF team for guidance.
4. Contact SOLKAF After Arrival
Once you arrive in Russia, inform the SOLKAF team that you have arrived safely.
SOLKAF will communicate your arrival to the university and help guide you through the next steps according to your situation.
Provide:
Confirmation that you have arrived
Your actual arrival time
Your arrival city and airport
Any changes that occurred during your journey
Any immediate problem related to your arrival or accommodation
Stay in contact with the SOLKAF team while completing your first required procedures.
5. Check In to Your Accommodation
If you have a university dormitory place, follow the provided instructions for check-in.
You may be asked to provide identification and university documents and complete accommodation paperwork.
Make sure you understand:
Dormitory rules
Payment arrangements
Room information
Entry procedures
Who to contact if there is a problem
If you experience a problem with your arranged accommodation, contact the SOLKAF team.
Students staying somewhere other than a university dormitory should make sure they understand how their place of stay affects the migration procedures applicable to them.
6. Complete Migration Procedures
International students are subject to migration requirements after entering Russia.
The exact procedure can depend on nationality, immigration status, place of stay, and current regulations.
The university, dormitory, accommodation provider, or another responsible party may be involved in some of these procedures.
Do not rely only on advice from another student simply because their situation appears similar to yours.
Follow the instructions applicable to your own documents and status.
SOLKAF can help you understand the next steps that apply to your situation.
This subject is explained separately in our Migration Registration for International Students in Russia guide.
7. Complete University Enrollment
Arrival in Russia does not always mean that every university enrollment procedure has already been completed.
Depending on your university and situation, you may still need to:
Present original documents
Sign university documents
Complete internal registration
Provide required photographs or copies
Complete payment-related procedures
Receive student information or credentials
Complete other university requirements
Follow the instructions provided for your admission and contact SOLKAF if you are unsure which step comes next.
8. Complete Required Medical Procedures
International students may be required to complete medical procedures or provide medical documentation according to current regulations and university requirements.
The exact requirements depend on the student's situation.
Do not leave these procedures until the last moment.
SOLKAF can guide you regarding the next steps and where the required procedures can be completed.
This subject is explained separately in our Medical Examination for International Students in Russia guide.
9. Get Connected
Having a working phone number and internet connection can make your first days much easier.
You may need them to:
Stay in contact with SOLKAF
Receive university information
Use maps and transportation services
Access university systems
Communicate with your accommodation
Receive important notifications
Use everyday digital services
Requirements for obtaining telecommunications services can change, so check the current procedure before choosing a provider.
10. Learn Your Route to the University
Before your first day of classes, learn how to travel between your accommodation and university.
Check:
Public transportation options
Travel time
Nearest stops or stations
University building location
Alternative routes
If possible, make a test journey before your first class.
11. Organize Your Everyday Essentials
Once the urgent procedures are under control, you can begin organizing daily life.
This may include:
Local transportation
Food and groceries
Mobile and internet services
Banking needs
University schedule
Campus facilities
Emergency contacts
Important SOLKAF and university contact information
Take things step by step. You do not need to organize everything on your first day.
12. Keep Track of Your Documents and Deadlines
International students may have documents that expire or procedures that need to be completed or renewed during their studies.
Create a secure system for keeping:
Passport information
Visa information, if applicable
Migration documents
University documents
Medical documents
Insurance information
Accommodation documents
Keep track of important expiry dates and do not wait until the last moment to ask about a required procedure or renewal.
Common Mistakes After Arrival
Avoid:
Travelling without informing SOLKAF of your confirmed arrival details
Forgetting to inform SOLKAF that you have arrived
Losing migration or entry documents
Assuming another student's procedure is identical to yours
Ignoring important university or SOLKAF messages
Missing required administrative or medical procedures
Carrying all original documents unnecessarily every day
Waiting until a document is about to expire before asking what to do
Your First Priorities
When you arrive, focus first on the essentials:
Arrive safely → Contact SOLKAF → Check in to your accommodation → Complete required migration procedures → Complete university enrollment → Follow medical requirements.
Everything else can be organized gradually.
How SOLKAF Can Help After Your Arrival
SOLKAF's support does not have to end when you receive your admission, invitation, or visa.
Our team can continue guiding you during your first steps in Russia and help you understand what needs to be done next.
Depending on your situation, our assistance may include guidance related to:
Coordinating your arrival with the university
University arrival procedures
Accommodation
Migration procedures
Medical procedures
Translation services
Everyday student services
Understanding the next required step
Our goal is to make the transition from admission to student life in Russia clearer and easier to manage.
Welcome to Russia
The first days in a new country involve many new procedures, places, and responsibilities.
Prepare your documents, stay in contact with the SOLKAF team, complete the required formalities, and ask whenever a step is unclear.
Once the essential procedures are completed, you can focus on what brought you to Russia: your studies and your new university experience.
Migration, medical, university, accommodation, and other requirements may vary according to nationality, immigration status, university, place of stay, and current regulations. Always follow the latest instructions provided by the competent authorities and your university.