Cost on housing is not unified, but depends on the city and on the type of housing. Most universities and colleges have their own halls of residence, where one can stay on a reasonable price. In the halls one easily gets to know other students, Russian as well as international. Also evening programmes and other free time activities are arranged there. Many halls also have a diner and a studying hall.

Most halls of residence consist of shared flats with bedrooms for one, two or more people. Halls have guards and they are closed at night, when nobody may enter. Visitors are allowed usually at daytime or in the evening; they are to leave their ID-card at the lobby warden and report whom they are visiting.

The price of a place in a hall of residence depends on the type of room and how well it is equipped. A place in a room with common kitchens in the hall and common shower rooms can costs as low as USD 6 per month. Rooms of higher standard and with less tenants cost up to USD 450 per month.

Besides halls of residence, students can subrent a room in family flats. If one is interested in this kind of housing, please contact the receiving university to find interested families.

If you are looking for a flat on private market, it is advisable to use a realiable real estate agency with a good reputation. Monthly rents for an apartment vary between USD 200 – 500, depending on size, location, level of equipments etc. Often rent is paid in cash and usually there is a warranty rent demanded. It is most advisable to agree about renting of an apartment and the amount of rent in a written document.

When planning studying in Russia, it is advisable to find out in advance to as much accuracy as possible the total cost of studying. Expenses include tuition fees and other fees, directly connected to studies, like fees to use the library, laboratory and computers, fees for copying, books and other studying materials, travelling and insurance expenses, living expenses, telephone fees and fees connected to free time activities. Expenses can vary a great deal depending on location of studying, field of studying and personal habits of spending. Living expenses, as a rule, are highest in large cities. In some fields, like art studies, study supplies might be costly.

International students always pay tuition fees when studying in Russian Higher Education Institutions. Also increasing number of Russian students pay tuition fees. Indicative costs of studying on different levels per study year: Bachelor USD 2 000 – 4 500, Master or Specialist USD 2 000 – 5 000, post-graduate studies USD 3 000 – 6 500. It is advisable to ask about the cost of studying from the receiving institution and also to confirm what is included in the price that is given. CBU students pay only the costs of the home university, not of the host university.

Universities and many dormitories have their own diners, where students can eat low-cost meals. In addition to diners there are cafes, where salads and sandwiches are sold. Prices of meals in diners vary generally between 30 and 70 rubles. Outside the campus, medium price diners charge 100 – 200 rubles a meal. Diners and cafes in campus area often arrange their working hours so that one of them is always open from early morning to late night.

A student, admitted to a Russian university, is issued a student visa, without which it is not possible to register as a foreign student in any university. The required documentation for a student visa:

• Visa application form filled and signed (can be obtained in Russian embassies, consulates and travel agencies)
• A valid passport (validity expires not earlier than 1,5 years after arrival to Russia)
  
• One passport photo
  
• Invitation from the receiving institution (or from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation); the invitation has to include a recommendation for a visa (визовая поддержкa) from the Passport and Visa Administration under the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation, that is the stamp of the Ministry a recent (max 3 months)
  
• HIV-Certificate (for those that stay over 3 months, so that they can be issued a multiple visa)
  
• A certificate of a valid traveler’s insurance (for sickness and accident); the insurance has to be valid for the whole period, for which the visa is applied
  
• Insurance Certificate Information, signed by the person, applying for a visa

The visa issued is either single or multiple, according to application. A single visa allows a student to enter Russia once. After this he has to register to his receiving institution, through which he applies for single visas separately for each time, that he/she needs to go abroad from Russia. A multiple visa allows a student to enter Russia any number of times during its validity.

When entering Russia, one has to fill in a migration card on the border. The card has two identical parts. Both parts have to be filled in when arriving to the country and the first part is left with the border control. On the border, make sure the other part is stamped, as the stamp is required for registering at the receiving institution. The stamped part is to be always kept inside the passport till the time one leaves Russia.

Students are issued a temporary residence permit for the time of their studies as they register at the receiving university.

It is obligatory for all foreign citizens to register in the Russian Federation within three working days from their arrival in Russia. Registering can take place in hotels, educational institutions, halls of residence or local militia office. If foreigners travel inside Russia, they are to register always, when arriving in a new locality. Foreigners are free to move on the territory of the Russian Federation, except in areas which are restricted for foreigners.

The laws of The Russian Federation are applied also to foreigners, who are staying on Russian territory. It is obligatory to always carry with you your passport or other documentation to prove your identity and also you migration card with a stamp verifying your registration in that locality.

Students studying in Russia and working in their spare time do not need a work permit.

The taxpayers of personal income tax are individuals – residents or non-residents of the Russian Federation – who receive income from the sources on the territory of the Russian Federation. Even a foreign citizen can be a tax resident of the Russian Federation if he resides on the territory of the Russian Federation not less than 183 days of the calendar year.

The tax rates for personal income tax in Russia are the following: 13 % - for income received by tax residents; 30 % - for income received by tax non-residents on the territory of the Russian Federation; 35 % - for certain kinds of income; 6 % - for income from share (stock) dividends.

An individual who is a non-resident of the Russian Federation may be exempt from taxation by Russian tax authorities, provided that he introduces (forwards) to Russian tax authorities an official confirmation that he is a resident of the state that has a double taxation treaty with the Russian Federation.

It is also important to note that if the organization pays for the lease of apartments for its foreign employee, the latter shall pay personal income tax on 13 % or 30 % tax rate depending on the period of time he resides on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Insurance An insurance for sickness and accident, which covers the whole length of stay in Russia, is required from all international students. It is advisable to take the insurance before leaving for Russia, although some Russian colleges and universities offer their own insurances for graduate and post-graduate students. The terms of the insurances are different along with the prices, so it pays to check different insurance companies and study the offers carefully before choosing the insurance agency.

Student health care Student health care is provided in university health centres and clinics. In all cities there are public health centres, in bigger cities also international health centres. Some insurances cover the costs on all these centres, some only the costs of university or community health centres. Additional information available in the insurance agencies.

If you are planning to stay longer in Russia, it is advisable to take vaccination against certain diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. In some areas also other vaccinations are recommended.

Tab water has to be boiled before drinking; usually also locals boil their drinking water.

Pharmacies Prescribed medicine is bought in pharmacies. These also provide a variety of herbal medicines, some of which are world famous for their effect (e.c. tiger balm). Pharmacies in city centers are better equipped than those in suburban areas or country side.

Time zone

Russia is a vast country with many time zones. The time in St. Petersburg and Moscow is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.Summertime/Daylight savings time, as the time is turned one hour back, is used from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.

Currency

The Russian monetary unit is the ruble (RBL). It is the only official currency, although occasionally euros or American dollars are accepted. Most international credit cards are accepted in larger cities, but mostly paying is done in cash. Check the possibilities with your bank before travelling to Russia. Traveler’s checks are not recommended, as cashing them can be difficult. If one needs to send money to Russia, Western Union (http://www.westernunion.com) provides good services for this. There are ATM machines in city centers.

Postal services

Postal services are run by the government, and post offices are located in all cities, towns and bigger rural localities. Mail carrying is inexpensive, but sometimes considered slow and not always reliable. To ensure your mail arriving to its destination it is advisable to use fax, e-mail or international courier services.

Telephone, international calls

There are phone booths for inner city and long distance calling. International calls can be made from telephone centers. The telephone country code for Russia is +7. Note that the first number of the area code (0) is omitted. Most mobile phone lines of foreign operators can be used in Russia. If one is staying in Russia for a longer period of time, buying a Russian mobile line becomes cheaper. Russian lines can be bought in mobile phone shops, charging centers and charging booths. Calling time is bought on pre-paid principle only. Skype or equivalents are always an economic alternative.

Measurements

In Russia the Unit of measurement is the metric system. Electricity The electrical current in Russia is 220V (230V), 50 Hz. Plugs are the two-pin continental size. Be prepared for instability of the current outside cities. Tipping A service charge is automatically included in restaurant and hotel bills. Cafés, hairdressers or taxi-drivers do not officially expect tips. Practically, to ensure good service in future, it is recommendable to give tips of 5 – 10 % of the price. Smoking Smoking in public facilities is not prohibited, but can be restricted to certain smoking areas or rooms. In restaurants, bars and cafes one can smoke freely.