Visas
What visa do I apply for if I am joining HSE University as a faculty or staff member?
You need to apply for a work visa. There are currently two types of work visas available to foreign nationals who are officially employed in Russia – an ordinary work visa and a HQS (Highly-Qualified Specialist) work visa.
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Ordinary Work Visa
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Who can apply?
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Any employee
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Type
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Single entry
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Visa duration
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Three months
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Extention
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It may be converted into a multiple-entry visa for a period up to one year. The employee does not have to leave Russia to extend the visa. The documents for visa extention must be submitted no later than 1,5 months before current visa expires.
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I will obtain the letter of invitation in about...
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...two months after I submit my documents for the letter of invitation.
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HQS Work Visa
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Who can apply?
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An employee who meets the criteria
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Type
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Multiple entry
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Visa duration
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Up to three years
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Extention
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It may be extended for a period of up to three years based on a new work contract. The employee does not have to leave Russia to extend the visa. The documents must be submitted no later than 21 working days before current visa expires.
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I will obtain the letter of invitation in about...
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...three months after I submit my documents for work contract drafting.
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Checklists
Ordinary work visa procedure checklist
- I sent my coordinator the documents required to initiate the letter of invitation.
- I contacted the Russian Consulate where I will apply for a visa and received the list of other documents I will have to submit together with the letter of invitation.
- I received an electronic invitation from the university.
- I applied for an ordinary work visa at the Russian Consulate stated in my letter of invitation.
HQS visa procedure checklist
- I sent my coordinator the documents required for work contract drafting and initiating a letter of invitation and an HQS card. The list of documents.
- I contacted the Russian Consulate where I will apply for a visa and received the list of other documents I will have to submit together with the letter of invitation.
- I received the draft of my HSE work contract by email for approval.
- After being asked by the HR department, I signed hard copies of the work contract and sent them by express mail to the specified address.
- I received an electronic invitation for my HQS work visa and other documents I need to apply for a visa.
- I applied for an HQS work visa at the Russian Consulate stated in my letter of invitation.
- I received my visa and entered Russia. I obtained my HQS card from the Federal Migration Service.
Letter of Invitation
What do I need to provide for a letter of invitation and an HQS card?
NB: Letter of invitation can be initiated only after the employment contract is approved and signed both by the Employer and Employee (original of the signed contract is delivered to HR Office)
- Original of the signed employment contract
- Copy of your passport (main page)
- Passport-style digital image
- Country and city where you will apply for a visa
What does my spouse need to provide for a letter of invitation?
- Copy of his or her passport (main page)
- Copy of your marriage certificate - the document should contain the original apostille or original legalization marks* (upon obtaining this document, your coordinator will have this copy translated and notarized in Russia, the associated fees are expected to be covered by you)
- Notarized translation of the apostilled or legalized marriage certificate into Russian (original)
- Country and city where your spouse will apply for a visa
* Types of Legalization
- Documents issued by the following countries do not have to be appostilled or legalised (according to the official information presented on the website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation).
- Documents issued by the сountries which are party to the Hague Conference have to be apostilled. Please consult your local authorities how to issue an appostilled document.
- Documents issued by the countries which are not party to the Hague Conference have to be legalized. Please consult your local authorities how to issue a legalized document.
What do I need to provide for my child’s letter of invitation?
- Copy of your child’s passport (main page)
- Copy of your child's birth certificate - the document should contain the original apostille or original legalization marks* (upon obtaining this document, your coordinator will have this copy translated and notarized in Russia, the associated fees are expected to be covered by you)
- Notarized translation of the apostilled or legalized birth certificate into Russian (original)
- Country and city where your child will apply for a visa
* Types of Legalization
- Documents issued by the following countries do not have to be appostilled or legalised (according to the official information presented on the website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation).
- Documents issued by the сountries which are party to the Hague Conference have to be apostilled. Please consult your local authorities how to issue an appostilled document.
- Documents issued by the countries which are not party to the Hague Conference have to be legalized. Please consult your local authorities how to issue a legalized document.