What International Students Need to Do Before Attending Face-to-Face Classes

In accordance with recommendations approved by the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation, students entering Russia from abroad are only permitted to attend classes after they have self-quarantined for 14 days. During this time, on days 10-12 of the quarantine period, students must also take a PCR test for COVID-19. Read on to learn about the different procedures that are required of international students.

Before Arrival in Russia

International students must purchase a voluntary health insurance (VHI) policy online in advance that covers medical services in the region of their temporary residence (Moscow and/or the Moscow region), which include testing for HIV and Hepatitis B and a COVID-19 PCR test. Information about pricing and how to purchase a VHI plan can be found here. You do not need to provide official documentation from HSE University when purchasing and registering for your insurance policy—you can confirm your HSE student status by simply sending a screenshot of your online HSE personal account.

If you already have a valid health insurance policy purchased from a third-party company that is not included in the recommended list, check your policy to make sure it includes the above-specified services. If the VHI policy does not contain these options, you will need to complete the required medical tests at your own cost.

If you are an incoming first-year student, you must indicate in your personal online account the date of your arrival in Russia (the information you indicate in your account must correspond to the information on your purchased travel ticket).

7 days before your planned date of arrival, you must notify your programme manager of your arrival date (as indicated on your purchased travel ticket) and submit a scan of your purchased medical insurance policy.

Within 3 days before your arrival date in the Russian Federation, you must obtain medical documentation (in Russian OR English) confirming a negative test result for COVID-19. If the document in a third language, it will be necessary to present a notarized translation (into Russian or English). You will need to present this documentation at the airport, train station, and any border checkpoint, as well as at the HSE dormitory.

Upon Arrival in Russia

Upon arrival, you must travel independently to your dormitory, hotel, or place of accommodation where you will complete your 14-day period of self-isolation.

Documents required when checking into your dormitory (drop-down list):

• a document confirming a negative PCR test result for COVID-19;
• a copy of your preventive vaccinations certificate (form No. 156/y-93) or official documentation of vaccinations received (including a measles shot) in Russian (notarized translation);
• your medical insurance policy purchased before arrival

All arriving foreign students will be accommodated in designated rooms (Dormitories 4 and 5) for the duration of the two-week isolation period. During this time, students must not leave the room.

During the isolation period, students will attend classes remotely. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a laptop with you.

If you plan to stay in a hotel, a rented apartment, or with relatives for the duration of your self-isolation, you must notify your programme manager and the Office of Staff and Student Benefits (szhukova@hse.ru) about your location in advance so that the University can arrange retesting for COVID-19 at your place of accommodation. Foreign students are not allowed to attend face-to-face classes without taking a second test and receiving a negative result.

If during isolation you feel unwell or need medical assistance, call Russia’s emergency number 112 or the phone number specified on your VHI policy. You must also inform the Office of Staff and Student Benefits (szhukova@hse.ru) of any medical assistance calls you have placed.

On the next business day after your arrival, you must submit documents for your registration. To do this, contact the passport officer of your dormitory, the landlord of your apartment rental, or the administrator of your hotel. You must have your passport and migration card with you.

When it has been 10-12 days since your arrival, you must take a second PCR test, which is arranged by HSE.

If your COVID-19 test result is negative, you must undergo a medical examination and get tested for Hepatitis B and HIV—all of which is covered by your purchased VHI policy. After that, your programme manager will inform you about how you may then resume your classes.

If you have dual citizenship (one of which is Russian)

When checking in at your dormitory, you must present your Russian passport, and you must take a PCR test for COVID-19 within 3 days of the date of your arrival in Russia. In this case, you are not required to self-isolate for 14 days.

If you are a foreign student but you did not leave the territory of the Russian Federation

You must submit via email your migration card or passport, your VHI policy, a certificate confirming that you have completed a medical examination, and a certificate confirming negative HIV and Hepatitis B test results to your programme manager. Before checking in at your dormitory, it is recommended that you take a PCR test for the coronavirus.

September 04, 2020