Consulate General of India, St. Petersburg

Russian Immigration laws are very stringent and Indian students travelling on damaged passports are frequently turned back from the airport.

Passport and original certificates are the properties of concerned students and should not be given to either contractors or foreign authorities for safe custody. No one has the authority to confiscate passport and students must always keep their passports with them. Police officials often demand to see the passport, visa and registration. Some students have to leave the country for failing to register within the stipulated period of 3 days. The university concerned or contractor generally takes care of the registration process of foreign students.

IMPORTANT:-

It has been brought to our notice by the Consular Section of the Embassy that many Indian students travelling on damaged/tampered/torn passports were being stopped by the Immigration officials at the Airports in Russia.

2. To circumvent the aforesaid situation, it is requested that all Indian students studying in your university may be advised to immediately apply for new passports in case their existing passports are damaged/torn to avoid any such incidents. Students may ensure that their all travel documents are intact and in order before commencement of journey outside/into Russian territory.