Verified: July 2026. Requirements set by Ministry of Defence Order No. 300 and Federal Law 115-FZ on foreign citizens.
The complete list — bring all of these
From your home country (apostille + notarised Russian translation):
- National passport, valid 12+ months from signing date
- Birth certificate
- Criminal record certificate — no older than 6 months
- Education diploma or last school certificate
- Military service record (if you served)
- Marriage certificate (if married, for family citizenship application later)
- Children's birth certificates (if bringing family)
From Russian side (obtained in Russia):
- Migration card — issued at border, keep the original
- Registration slip — must be current (extend before 90-day expiry)
- Medical insurance polis (DMS) — required to enter the medical exam
- Bank card (issued at recruitment centre — usually PSB)
- 6 passport-size photos 3×4 cm, matte, colour
Documents by CIS vs non-CIS
| Item | CIS (TJ, UZ, KG, KZ, AM, BY) | Non-CIS (IN, PK, NG, other) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa needed | No (visa-free entry) | Yes, work or private visa |
| Apostille on home documents | Yes | Yes |
| Translation to Russian | Notarised in Russia (~800 ₽/page) | Notarised in Russia |
| Criminal record | From MVD of home country | From federal police, e.g. FBI (US), MHA (IN) |
| Registration validity | 30 days first entry, then extend | Tied to visa duration |
The 5 mistakes that cause 80% of rejections
- Apostille missing. A document translated in Russia is useless without an apostille from your home country's Ministry of Justice or Foreign Affairs first. Apostille takes 1–3 weeks at home — never leave without it.
- Criminal record certificate older than 6 months. It expires. If your travel took 3 months, order a fresh one and courier it.
- Migration card entry date unclear. Border stamps fade. Photograph both sides of your migration card the day you enter Russia.
- Registration expired without extension. After 90 days you must extend at MFC or through your host. Expired registration means the recruitment centre cannot legally process you.
- Diploma not translated fully. Only the main page translated, transcripts left in home language. Bring full translation.
Where to translate and notarise in Moscow
Any notary office (нотариус) does notarised translations. Cost in 2026: 700–1,000 ₽ per page. Turnaround same day for common languages (Tajik, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Armenian). English, Hindi, Urdu 1–2 days. Do this before you go to the recruitment centre, not the day of.
What if a document is missing?
Do not fake or improvise. Options:
- Ask your family at home to courier the original with apostille — 5–10 days via DHL to Russia.
- Order a duplicate from your home consulate in Moscow — 1–3 weeks depending on country.
- Request a temporary certificate for very simple items (school certificate, marriage), if the recruitment centre agrees to wait.
Related: how to apply online from CIS, 10 reasons for denial, medical exam checklist.
