October to December timeline for the February intake
The February intake is not a door that stays open until the last minute: it is decided in October and November. Russian administrative timelines stack up and cannot be negotiated. Here is the month-by-month calendar, with the points of no return clearly marked.
October: assemble and submit
This is the decisive month. Anything started in October arrives in time; anything slipping into November becomes tight.
- Gather originals: Baccalaureate certificate, transcripts, birth certificate, valid passport
- Start the legalisations, which depend neither on you nor on the university and take several weeks
- Choose the university and programme, then submit the application
- Allow 15 to 30 days for administrative admission once the file is complete
Point of no return #1: a file not submitted by end of October makes the February intake very unlikely.
November: the invitation letter
Once admitted, the university requests the invitation letter from the Russian Ministry of the Interior. It is the longest step in the whole chain: 30 to 45 days, and nobody can speed it up.
Do not idle during the wait: this is the time for medical certificates, the first-year budget and the documents the consulate will ask for.
Point of no return #2: if the invitation request has not gone out by end of November, February is out of reach.
December: visa, insurance and flight
- Submit the consular visa application as soon as the invitation letter arrives
- Take out the mandatory medical insurance, around €180 a year
- Book the flight, keeping some flexibility on the date
- Prepare for winter — kit is better bought on site than in Tunisia
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late if I start in November?
Tight but not impossible, provided your documents are already legalised. If everything is still to be done, aim for the next main intake rather than paying fees for a file that will not land.
Which step takes the longest?
The invitation letter from the Russian Ministry of the Interior: 30 to 45 days on its own. It drives the whole calendar and depends neither on you nor on the university.
Can I prepare documents before choosing my university?
Yes, and it is the best way to save time. Legalising your diplomas and civil records does not depend on the institution: start immediately.