Russian Student Visa Application for Nigerians

By Gift

05 November 2019

Russia, a country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia is known to be the largest country in the world, covering 17 million square kilometers which is about 11% of the world's total area. It is famous for its rich history, endless attraction and culturally diverse languages. This article sets to simplify the Russian Student Visa application process.

Nightlife in Russia
Beautiful night scenery in Russia

Russia has one of the best large-scale education in the world and a literacy level of 98% according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency. It is also the best country for total language immersion, little wonder it greatly attracts foreign students and Nigerians are no exception. It is even easier for Nigerians to study in Russia due to the Bilateral Education Agreement between both countries and this has led to a yearly continuous rise in the number of Nigerians studying in Russia.

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Russian students
Foreign Students in Russia

If you are a Nigerian looking to obtain a Russian student visa then this article is for you, read on for all you need to know.

Requirements for a Russian Student visa

Nigerians who want to study in Russia are required to take note of the following information:

  • You must have a Nigerian passport that is valid for at least six months from your visa expiry date.
  • The passport should have at least two blank pages where visa would be stamped.
  • A visa application form should be filled online and then printed out.
  • It is important to ensure that all boxes are correctly filled in the application form.
  • Do not forget to confirm that the entry and exit dates on the form correspond with those on the supporting documents.
  • The application form must also be dated and signed appropriately.
  • A colored passport photograph (3.5x4.5 cm), not older than six months, taken against a white or plainly colored background is required.
  • Your passport should be taken without glasses or headscarves and show your face in full.
  • It is better to glue the passport to your form, do not staple it.
  • You must have an original Letter of Invitation issued by the General Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Interior of Russia.
  • The invitation letter would only be issued after you have undergone a competitive selection and subsequently been admitted into the Russian institution.
  • The Competitive selection can be done through Entrance exams and Introductory Unified State Examinations(EGE), academic competitions held in Russia or abroad, and tests.
  • Any individual who passes these competitions should expect preferential treatment while enrolling for studies in Russia.
  • You must be able to pay all your study bills. This could be through a private scholarship, personal income, sponsor or government scholarship (quota).
  • Note that you need proper accommodation such as hostels or dorms. Hotel reservation is not sufficient enough to warrant a visa. The student visa is usually issued for an initial stay period of 90 days during which you would have to get a study permit in Russia that would serve for the duration of your course.
  • If you are a full-time student, you would be issued a permit and with this, you can work and study at the same time.
  • Students can however work only according to the profession specified in the permit, and in the region (city) where their university is located.
  • All visa applications should be submitted in person. If you submit through an agent, your application will not be accepted.

With the above information duly noted and the requirements fully met, you are on your way to a hurdle-free visa application and an uninterrupted study in Russia.

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Graduating students
Recent Russian Graduands

Visa Fees

Russia has three different visa entry types for Nigerian students. There is the single-entry(allows one entry into Russia), double-entry(allows two entries into Russia) and multiple-entry (allows several entries into Russia). Regardless of the number of entries the visa is issued for, it can only be used for as long as the visa is valid. The fee for each entry varies according to the number of entries, processing time and exchange rate.

Single-entry Regular fee
Express fee
N28,800
N57,600
Double-entry Regular fee
Express fee
N46,080
N92,160
Multiple-entry Regular fee
Express fee
N86,400
N172,800

Russian Student visa processing time

The standard processing time for a Russian student visa is 4-20 working days. However, you can get it on express service within 3 working days.

Russian embassy in Nigeria

  • Address: Plot 1119, Constitution avenue,
    Central Business District,
    Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Telephone: (+234) 805-908-00-07, (+234) 813-901-61-48, (+234) 812-139-37-21
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Website: nigeria.mid.ru

Are you a Nigerian student seeking to study in Russia and needing help with the visa processing, click here and let us help you.

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