How Long Can an International Graduate Stay in Russia After Completing or Terminating Their Studies?
ANSWER
There is no single fixed period that automatically begins to run from the date a diploma is issued or an order for expulsion is issued. The applicable period depends on the foreign national’s legal grounds for staying in Russia, including the validity of their visa and migration registration, whether they hold a Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), a Temporary Residence Permit (RVP), or a Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh), as well as whether the Ministry of Internal Affairs decides to shorten the period of stay.
After Successfully Completing Studies
The educational institution notifies the relevant territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
If a graduate intends to enroll in the next level of education, the graduate, the university they graduated from, or the university they are applying to may submit an application to the relevant territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to extend the period of temporary stay for up to 30 calendar days.
This is not an automatic “grace period.” The extension takes effect only after it has been formally processed in accordance with the established procedure and is specifically intended to allow the foreign national to apply for admission to the next level of education.
In the Event of Early Termination of Studies or Expulsion
This ground for extending the period of temporary stay does not apply in cases of early termination of studies or expulsion.
The educational institution notifies the Ministry of Internal Affairs that the foreign national’s studies have been terminated. The Ministry of Internal Affairs may then decide to shorten the period of temporary stay.
If such a decision is made, the foreign national must leave Russia within three days.
If the Graduate Holds an RVPO
If a graduate holds a valid Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), it remains valid throughout the period of study and for an additional 180 calendar days after completion of the period of study.
However, in the event of early termination of studies, the RVPO is subject to cancellation in the cases established by law. Therefore, the 180-day period cannot automatically be applied to a student who has been expelled.
If the RVP, RVPO, or VNZh Has Been Cancelled
If the Ministry of Internal Affairs cancels a Temporary Residence Permit (RVP), Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), or Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh), the foreign national must leave Russia within 15 days from the date the cancellation notice is issued or from the date the notice is sent via electronic services, including Gosuslugi, or by post.
Accordingly, the applicable deadline does not necessarily depend on when the foreign national actually reads or receives the notice.
Failure to leave Russia within the prescribed period constitutes grounds for deportation.
🇷🇺 If the Graduate Has an Independent Legal Basis for Residence
A different situation may apply if the graduate already has an independent legal basis for residing in Russia, such as a valid Temporary Residence Permit (RVP) or Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh).
In all cases, it is recommended that foreign graduates contact their university’s international office and the relevant territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately after completing or terminating their studies, rather than waiting until their current period of stay expires.
ANSWER
There is no single fixed period that automatically begins to run from the date a diploma is issued or an order for expulsion is issued. The applicable period depends on the foreign national’s legal grounds for staying in Russia, including the validity of their visa and migration registration, whether they hold a Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), a Temporary Residence Permit (RVP), or a Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh), as well as whether the Ministry of Internal Affairs decides to shorten the period of stay.
After Successfully Completing Studies
The educational institution notifies the relevant territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
If a graduate intends to enroll in the next level of education, the graduate, the university they graduated from, or the university they are applying to may submit an application to the relevant territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to extend the period of temporary stay for up to 30 calendar days.
This is not an automatic “grace period.” The extension takes effect only after it has been formally processed in accordance with the established procedure and is specifically intended to allow the foreign national to apply for admission to the next level of education.
In the Event of Early Termination of Studies or Expulsion
This ground for extending the period of temporary stay does not apply in cases of early termination of studies or expulsion.
The educational institution notifies the Ministry of Internal Affairs that the foreign national’s studies have been terminated. The Ministry of Internal Affairs may then decide to shorten the period of temporary stay.
If such a decision is made, the foreign national must leave Russia within three days.
If the Graduate Holds an RVPO
If a graduate holds a valid Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), it remains valid throughout the period of study and for an additional 180 calendar days after completion of the period of study.
However, in the event of early termination of studies, the RVPO is subject to cancellation in the cases established by law. Therefore, the 180-day period cannot automatically be applied to a student who has been expelled.
If the RVP, RVPO, or VNZh Has Been Cancelled
If the Ministry of Internal Affairs cancels a Temporary Residence Permit (RVP), Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), or Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh), the foreign national must leave Russia within 15 days from the date the cancellation notice is issued or from the date the notice is sent via electronic services, including Gosuslugi, or by post.
Accordingly, the applicable deadline does not necessarily depend on when the foreign national actually reads or receives the notice.
Failure to leave Russia within the prescribed period constitutes grounds for deportation.
🇷🇺 If the Graduate Has an Independent Legal Basis for Residence
A different situation may apply if the graduate already has an independent legal basis for residing in Russia, such as a valid Temporary Residence Permit (RVP) or Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh).
In all cases, it is recommended that foreign graduates contact their university’s international office and the relevant territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately after completing or terminating their studies, rather than waiting until their current period of stay expires.