Does an International Student Have to Leave Russia If They Are Expelled from a University?
ANSWER: Yes.
Completion or early termination of studies constitutes grounds for shortening the period of temporary stay of a foreign national in Russia.
An educational or research institution is required to notify the relevant territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the early termination of studies within three working days from the date the relevant order is issued.
Important
This does not mean that the student must automatically leave Russia within three days. The three-working-day period is the deadline for the university to submit the notification.
Students should be aware that holding a student visa, or having it extended, does not guarantee the right to remain in the Russian Federation until the visa expires. Therefore, the student is required to leave the Russian Federation without delay.
The student should obtain a copy of the expulsion order or a certificate confirming the termination of studies and contact the university’s international office on the same day.
What Should Be Clarified?
The student should clarify:
If there is no legal basis for further stay in Russia, the student should not wait until the “ordinary” visa period expires without verifying their immigration status. It is necessary to arrange departure before the applicable deadline expires.
Important: Can a Student Transfer to Another University and Keep Their RVPO?
Yes, but only if the statutory requirements are met.
A foreign national holding a Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO) who has been expelled due to a transfer to another university must, within 30 days from the date of the expulsion order, submit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs office that issued the RVPO a document confirming enrollment in another state educational or research institution.
The studies must be full-time and must correspond to the educational programs specified in Article 6.2 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ.
If the document is not submitted within the prescribed period, the transfer is made to an ineligible educational program, or the student switches to a part-time or correspondence-based mode of study, the RVPO is subject to cancellation.
ANSWER: Yes.
Completion or early termination of studies constitutes grounds for shortening the period of temporary stay of a foreign national in Russia.
An educational or research institution is required to notify the relevant territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the early termination of studies within three working days from the date the relevant order is issued.
Important
This does not mean that the student must automatically leave Russia within three days. The three-working-day period is the deadline for the university to submit the notification.
Students should be aware that holding a student visa, or having it extended, does not guarantee the right to remain in the Russian Federation until the visa expires. Therefore, the student is required to leave the Russian Federation without delay.
The student should obtain a copy of the expulsion order or a certificate confirming the termination of studies and contact the university’s international office on the same day.
What Should Be Clarified?
The student should clarify:
- whether the notification has been submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- the current validity period of the visa and migration registration;
- whether a decision has been made to shorten the period of stay;
- whether the student has another lawful status, such as a Temporary Residence Permit (RVP), Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO), or Permanent Residence Permit (VNZh).
If there is no legal basis for further stay in Russia, the student should not wait until the “ordinary” visa period expires without verifying their immigration status. It is necessary to arrange departure before the applicable deadline expires.
Important: Can a Student Transfer to Another University and Keep Their RVPO?
Yes, but only if the statutory requirements are met.
A foreign national holding a Temporary Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education (RVPO) who has been expelled due to a transfer to another university must, within 30 days from the date of the expulsion order, submit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs office that issued the RVPO a document confirming enrollment in another state educational or research institution.
The studies must be full-time and must correspond to the educational programs specified in Article 6.2 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ.
If the document is not submitted within the prescribed period, the transfer is made to an ineligible educational program, or the student switches to a part-time or correspondence-based mode of study, the RVPO is subject to cancellation.