From Haiti to Russia

First, confirm which embassy serves Haiti

Russia does not have an embassy in Haiti. We cannot confirm which Russian embassy is currently responsible for Haitian citizens, so we do not name one here. This matters for two steps: legalising your documents and applying for your visa.

Before you pay for anything or book travel, confirm the right embassy with the international office of your university, which requests your invitation, or write to us. You may need to travel to another country to apply for your visa, so plan the time, the cost and any visa you need for that country. Haiti cannot use the Russian e-visa, and the e-visa never covers study.

Getting your documents ready in Haiti

Haiti is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille is not enough for Russia. Your documents need consular legalisation. First have each document certified in Haiti, with the last stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then have it legalised by the Russian embassy that serves Haiti, once you have confirmed which one it is.

After that, every document needs a Russian translation certified by a Russian notary. The translation must cover every stamp, including the legalisation. Ask your university whether it needs the translation when you apply or when you arrive.

In Russia, your foreign certificate usually has to be recognised before you enrol. Some universities do this themselves; for others it goes through Rosobrnadzor, the federal education authority. Your university will tell you which applies to you.

The scholarship and the visa from Haiti

The Russian Government scholarship, often called the state quota, works the same way in every country. You apply online on education-in-russia.com and choose up to six universities. Applications usually open in mid-September and close in mid-January. The round for 2027/28 is open now.

After you apply online, there is a selection run by a Russian office abroad, which may include an interview or a test. Write to us well before the deadline and we will help you check how it works for Haitian applicants. Results usually come in April or May, and you can follow your status on russia-edu.minobrnauki.gov.ru.

The scholarship usually covers tuition, the preparatory year if you need one, a monthly stipend and a dormitory place for a small fee. It does not cover flights, health insurance, living costs, or medical and visa fees.

For the visa, your university requests an invitation from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Then you apply for a study visa with an HIV-negative certificate and a passport valid for at least 18 months. The first visa is single entry for up to 90 days. After you arrive, your university has it extended for up to a year at a time. Read more in our visas guide.

Travel, money and help in French

There are no direct flights between Haiti and Russia. Russian flights to Cuba, a possible Caribbean connection, were suspended in February 2026, and we cannot confirm that they have restarted. European and US airlines do not fly to Russia, so you will need to change to an airline that does, for example in Istanbul, Dubai or Doha. If you change planes in Europe or the United States, you may need a transit visa there. Check the rules for every airport on your route before you book.

Visa and Mastercard cards issued abroad do not work in Russia, in shops, online or at cash machines. Bring enough cash in US dollars or euros for your first weeks. After you arrive, you can open a Russian bank account and get a Mir card, often through your university’s partner bank.

You can write to us in French, and we also answer in English and Russian. For personal next steps, fill in the Start Your Journey form. If you plan to study in Russian, our Russian courses go from A0 to B1, the usual level for starting a bachelor’s degree.