Universities proposed to the State Duma to allow foreign students to come with their parents

Rectors of a number of Russian universities and State Duma deputies proposed extending a special migration regime for foreign students to private universities, they write “News”. It is also proposed to allow not only spouses of foreign students, but also their legal representatives to stay in Russia.

According to the publication, relevant issues were discussed at a meeting of the expert council on education and youth policy under State Duma Deputy Chairman Boris Chernyshov. The authors of the initiative believe that such measures will make it possible to more actively attract students from other countries to Russia. Boris Chernyshov himself believes that expanding the special migration status to private universities would help overcome the “objective limited resources of state universities to increase the number of foreign students,” including the lack of dormitories and teachers.

From 2023, foreign students can obtain a temporary residence permit in Russia. Previously, they had to renew their study visa every year. At the same time, the rector of Synergy University Artem Vasiliev noted that a simplified regime was introduced for government organizations, but not for private universities. According to Mr. Vasiliev, expanding the special migration status will not only solve the problem of lack of resources at state universities, but also make the stay of foreign students in Russia more comfortable. According to him, guaranteed entry into the country “with mom and dad” will help the student overcome psychological difficulties.

On January 1, 2023, a federal law came into force allowing foreign citizens to obtain a temporary residence permit for the period of study at state universities. On the basis of a temporary residence permit after graduation, a foreigner can apply for a residence permit.

In 2021, the government approved the federal project “Russia is an attractive country for study and work,” according to which the number of foreign students in Russia should reach 450 thousand by 2030. In 2022, foreigners accounted for 7.5% of all students who studied at Russian universities . In total, according to the Ministry of Education and Science, 311.5 thousand foreign students receive education in bachelor’s, specialist’s and master’s programs.

Milena Kostereva