As part of the recent online meeting dedicated to the implementation of the Program for Assisting the Voluntary Resettlement of Compatriots to the Kurgan Region, experts provided detailed answers to participants’ questions regarding education in the region. We publish the official guide on document preparation, visa regulations, and migration registration for future students of Kurgan State University (KSU).

1. Obtaining a Student Visa and Invitation Letter

To study in Russia, most foreign citizens require a student visa. Candidates are advised to consult the Embassy or Consulate of the Russian Federation in their home country before submitting documents.

The basis for issuing a visa is an official invitation letter issued by the Migration Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

  • Who prepares the invitation: The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in cooperation with Rossotrudnichestvo.

  • For tuition-paying students (under a contract) as well as for students admitted to government-funded places with the status of “Compatriot,” the invitation is processed directly by the host university (KSU).

Deadlines and Documents for the Invitation: The processing time is 1 month, and the invitation itself is valid for 3 months. A foreign citizen must provide the university with:

  1. A high-resolution copy of their passport (digital or printed). The passport must be valid for at least 1.5 years from the intended date of entry into the Russian Federation.

  2. Information regarding the exact location where the visa will be obtained.

  3. Information about the place of birth and permanent residence.

2. Arrival in Kurgan and Mandatory Registration

Every foreign citizen is required to register with the migration authorities at their place of stay. Immediately upon arrival in the Russian Federation, the student must report to the KSU International Office to arrange registration.

Important Deadlines:

  • Citizens of Kazakhstan: must contact the KSU International Office no later than one week before the expiration of the 30-day period (the permitted period of stay in the Russian Federation without registration).

  • Citizens of other countries: are required to report to the KSU International Office on their very first day after arriving in the Russian Federation. By law, they must be registered with the migration authorities within 7 days of crossing the border.

Required Documents on the First Day:

  • For students from CIS / neighboring countries:

    1. Identity card or passport of a foreign citizen.

    2. Migration card.

  • For students from non-CIS / far abroad countries:

    1. Passport.

    2. Student visa (the “host organization” field must state: “Kurgan State University, Kurgan”).

    3. Migration card (the “purpose of visit” field must state “study”, and the inviting party information must state KSU).

    4. Boarding passes (for air travel) or train tickets.

    5. If you temporarily stayed and registered in another city in the Russian Federation before arriving in Kurgan, you must provide the detachable part of the arrival notification from that city.

3. Student Visa Extension

If the initial visa is expiring, documents for its extension must be submitted to the KSU International Office strictly 1.5 months before the expiration date of the current visa.

List of Documents for Visa Extension:

  • Passport of a foreign citizen with a valid visa;

  • Migration card;

  • Detachable part of the current arrival notification (registration);

  • Receipt of state fee payment;

  • Visa application form (filled out in person at the KSU International Office);

  • Copy of the enrollment order (or transfer to the next course) or the tuition contract;

  • Voluntary health insurance (VHI) policy valid in Russia;

  • One photo (3×4 cm).

KSU International Office Contacts:

  • Address: Kurgan, Tomina St., 40, rooms 247A, 249.

  • Phone: +7 (3522) 65-49-23

  • E-mail: mo@kgsu.ru, mokgsu@yandex.ru

  • Official University Website: kgsu.ru