Checklist for First-Year Students
Dear first-year students, сongratulations on your enrolment at HSE University!
To help you get settled and avoid any issues later on, we've put together this checklist of important organisational steps. Please follow them to ensure a smooth start to your studies.
Check in to Your Dormitory (For international students not residing in Moscow/Russia)
Your dormitory place is assigned automatically in your International Applicant's Personal Account.
Access to the Dormitory section will be available after you confirm your intent to study and complete the recognition procedure.
Check-in begins August 25, 2025, provided you meet all conditions:
● You have visited the Admissions Committee for Foreign Citizens in person and submitted your original documents for enrollment.
● You have indicated your need for a dormitory in your Personal Account.
● The Admissions Committee has issued your enrollment order (from Aug. 25).
● Your accommodation referral has been sent to your personal account and email.
● Your referral letter will specify your move-in date, dormitory address, room number, directions, and a contact person. It is valid for 10 days. If you do not check in within this time, the referral will be cancelled.
What you need for check-in:
● Your accommodation referral (download and print it from your Personal Account).
● Your passport.
● A copy of your entry visa (if applicable).
● Your migration card issued upon crossing the border of the Russian Federation.
● A valid medical certificate/exam results a medical certificate or results of a medical examination valid at the time of check-in.
● A vaccination certificate—use the form No. 156/u-93 (if available) or the form of Annex No. 8 of the Internal Rules of the HSE Student Dormitory.
● A voluntary comprehensive health insurance policy for your entire stay in Russia.
Questions? Email: zaselenie@hse.ru
Understand Your Visa and Migration Rules (For international students)
The HSE Visa and Registration Centre is your main resource for all visa and registration questions.
Address: D007, Building D, 11 Pokrovsky Bulvar, Moscow (Open: 10:00 – 18:00)
Phone: +7 (495) 531-00-63
Email: visa-registration@hse.ru
Website: https://ivisa.hse.ru/
You can also get online consultations.
Mandatory medical examination, fingerprinting, and photo registration for international students
Russian Federal Law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation" (amended December 29, 2021) requires all foreign nationals staying longer than 90 days to undergo a medical examination, fingerprinting, and photo registration.
● Failure to comply may result in fines or a reduced permitted stay.
● HSE partners with City Polyclinic No. 5 to offer free check-ups for students on state-funded 2025/26 quotas. Details on how to book an appointment will be available on the Visa and Registration Centre's website.
Get Your Student ID Card
Your student ID will be issued by your programme office. Your programme manager will inform you about when and where you can pick it up.
Get a Library Card
Register online on the HSE Library website using your student ID and HSE email.
After registering, your library card number will be available in HSE App X.
You can access electronic resources remotely here.
For tours or research guides, email library@hse.ru.
Need help? Contact the Library Hotline or reach out on VK or Telegram.
Get a Moscow Social Card
This card offers discounts on Moscow public transport and suburban trains.
● International students must first obtain a SNILS (insurance number). You can apply for one at any Social Fund of Russia office or "Moi Dokumenty" (MFC) centre with your passport (or residence permit) and its notarised translation.
● Verify your student status on the Moscow Social Register.
● Apply online at mos.ru. The processing time is up to 30 days. You can monitor the status of your application either in your personal account or via this link.
● Collect the card at "Moi Dokumenty" (MFC) centre with your passport and its notarised translation.
A list of Social Fund branches in Moscow:
https://sfr.gov.ru/branches/moscow/info/~0/7035
A list of MFCs offices in Moscow: https://www.mos.ru/pgu/ru/md/.
Get Your Scholarship Bank Card (VTB, MIR system)
● A VTB Bank (MIR payment system) card for scholarship payments will be automatically issued to all eligible first-year students.
● You will be notified via your HSE email about when and where to pick up your card (either on campus or at a VTB branch). If, for any reason, the university is unable to issue a bank card to you, you will also get notified.
● If you already have a card from previous studies at HSE, your scholarship will continue there.
Questions about scholarships? Contact the HSE Accounting Office for any enquiries regarding scholarships and other payments: std@hse.ru. Certificates on income/scholarship amount can be obtained via this link.
Get a Certificate of Enrollment (if needed)
You can request this certificate electronically via the Student Service Centre starting September 1, 2025.
Choose the e-format for a quick turnaround—you'll receive a digitally signed certificate in your personal account within 15 minutes.
* You do not need this certificate to check into the dormitory—it will be issued automatically.
Get Your E-Pass for Campus Access
E-Passes for the 2025-2026 academic year are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Locations:
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Bolshoy Trehsvyatitelsky Lane, 3, Room 114
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Pokrovsky Boulevard, 11, Rooms Z-117, Z-101 (Cultural Center)
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Myasnitskaya St., 11, Room 116
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00–18:30 (break 13:00–14:00). Closed Sat-Sun.
Bring with you:
● All students: Student ID or passport.
● International students: A certificate from the Visa and Registration Centre. Before applying, you must submit copies of your migration documents to the Visa and Registration Centre and get a receipt. This can be done during the orientation session (Aug 27-31) or by visiting the Centre in September.
Detailed information: HSE E-Pass Website
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