Hello, I’m wondering if anyone has navigated this particular corner of the visa red tape.
According to the visa center in the US, to get a student visa, you need an invitation from one of two government services, presumably at the request of the school.
However, the visa can be only single or double entry and is good for only 90 days. To stay longer, “Student visas may be granted an extension by contacting the local Federal Migration Service office.”
The extension is still limited to only one year.
I’m trying to read between the lines and see if this is one of those routine things, where they always grant the extension, and maybe another one if you stay at the school… or if you could have a year of study cut short by them unexpectedly refusing
Visas, whether for tourism, work, or education, are merely a means to get your foot in the door. In your case, the student visa allows you to legally be in Russia for the period of time to conclude the requirements for migration, set up SNILS, medical exam, etc etc and to apply for the RVPO (temporary residence for educational purposes.) if your studies are in the bachelor’s+ degrees.
A timeline / guidance on the process and requirements (regions may vary but check with the school you are planning on attending) https://eng.kirovgma.ru/rules-regulation#
@NorseVictory thanks, that’s pretty straightforward… but way more complicated than my tourist visa!
By “certificate” are they talking about diploma or transcript? “official recognition” would mean apostille I guess, would they want that translated and then notarized again in Russia?
@kozmikpetukh which certificate? The criminal record? That would be the FBI background which would need to be apostiled and then translated while youre in Russia
