Moving to Russia with your family as a student

Bringing your spouse and children

If you study at a state university or a state research institute, your family can come with you. Under Russian law, your spouse, your children under 18 and your adult children who depend on you can get an ordinary study visa. It is valid for the same period as your own visa.

Ask your international office early. It can explain how the process works at your university and which documents your family needs, such as marriage and birth certificates. Like your own documents, these usually need a Russian translation certified by a Russian notary and, depending on your country, an apostille or consular legalisation. Our Visas and travel guide explains these steps.

If your university is private, this route may not apply. Ask the university and the Russian consulate before you make plans.

If you come to work, not to study

We could not confirm the rules for the families of foreign workers. The families of highly qualified specialists are understood to get visas for the same period, but we have not checked this in the law. For other workers, we found no confirmed route. Check with the Russian consulate in your country (see kdmid.ru) or with your employer, or write to us before you decide anything.

School and the Russian-language test

Since 1 April 2025, foreign children must pass a test in Russian before they can be admitted to a Russian primary or secondary school. The family must also show that the child is in Russia legally, for example with a visa and migration registration.

What this means for your plans:

• Start Russian early. If possible, begin lessons with your children months before you move. Even a little Russian helps them settle.
• Plan the timing. The Russian school year starts on 1 September. Ask the school well in advance when and where the test takes place.
• Ask about retakes. We could not confirm how and when a child can retake the test. Ask the school or the local education authority.
• Prepare documents. Ask the school which documents it needs, and keep your child’s passport, visa and registration together.

Health and paperwork for each family member

Each family member has their own paperwork. Plan for all of it before you travel.

• Health insurance. Your university will require a voluntary medical insurance policy for you for your whole stay. Plan a policy for each family member too. Emergency care is free, but other care can be expensive without insurance.
• Medical examination. Since 1 September 2026, every foreigner staying more than 90 days must have a medical examination within 30 days of entry, and then every year, at an approved clinic. This includes family members. Ask the clinic how it works for children.
• Fingerprinting and photo. These are done once. Children under 6 do not give fingerprints. Universities advise doing this within 30 days of arrival.
• Registration. Each family member needs migration registration within 7 working days of arrival.

Our Legal pathways guide explains these steps in detail.

Choosing a city and a home

Many dormitories are designed for single students and may not have space for families. Ask your university whether it has rooms for families. If not, you will rent a private flat. Our Housing guide explains contracts, registration and how to avoid scams.

When you choose a city and an area, think about:

• Cost. Moscow and St Petersburg are usually more expensive than smaller cities.
• Services. Big cities have more schools, clinics and international communities.
• Climate. Winters are long and cold in most of Russia, but they differ a lot from city to city. See our guide to Cities.
• Distances. Try to live near the university, a school and a clinic, or close to public transport.

Do not count on your spouse being able to work. We could not confirm the rules for family members who hold a study visa. Ask your international office or the migration authorities, and plan your budget on your own income or savings.

When relatives visit

Parents and other relatives who come for a short visit usually need a guest (private) visa or a tourist visa from a Russian embassy or consulate in their country. Ask the consulate which documents it needs.

The unified e-visa covers private visits and tourism. It is single entry and allows a stay of up to 30 days, but only for citizens of countries on the official list. Citizens of Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Nigeria and Senegal are not eligible. Check the list on evisa.kdmid.ru.

There is no resident Russian embassy in Haiti, and we could not confirm which embassy serves Haiti now. If your relatives live in Haiti, contact us before they plan their trip.

Visitors also need migration registration within 7 working days. A hotel registers its guests itself. If they stay in a flat, the owner files the registration.

Your next step

Every family’s situation is different. Tell us about yours through the Start Your Journey form, and we will reply by email in your language. If you or your spouse want to start Russian before the move, see our Russian courses.