Check that you have read, signed and sent the Acceptance Form to HSE with payment of the course fee;
Attend local medical, optical and dental checkups;
Check passport expiry date and renew if necessary;
Apply for and receive your student visa;
Research and book temporary and/or permanent accommodation;
Be aware of visa restrictions and tax liabilities;
Book and confirm flights to Moscow in time to arrive for the Orientation Program;
Receive confirmation for your temporary and/or permanent accommodation;
Check whether you have notified the International Student Support Team about the reception at the airport (in case you need that);
Find and take with you the contact details for your embassy or consulate/diplomatic mission in Russia and HSE Center for International Education office;
Consider pre-opening a bank account and transfer funds into it, or organize a credit card;
Receive confirmation that you will be met at the airport (if you book this service);
Find and take with you the contact details the person who will be meeting you at the airport (if you arranged that);
Take one copy of all documents in your carry-on luggage plus your original passport, student visa and Confirmation of Enrolment Letter;
Pack one copy of all documents in your other luggage including copies of your passport, student visa and Confirmation of Enrolment Letter;
Check Russian Customs and Quarantine regulations;
Separately pack all items that need to be declared upon your arrival at the airport;
Check whether any medication that you take regularly is available in Russia and if you can bring it into the country;
Organize Russian currency. Bring some Russian currency (RUR 3000–6000 – equal to 100-200 USD) with you for your first few days, but do not carry a large amount of cash.
Important document folder (copies only)
Russian money for immediate use(RUR 3000–6000 – equivalent of 100-200 USD), you can also exchange currency at the airport at most times;
Credit card and/or bank account;
Contact details for your Embassy or Consulate in Russia and Moscow, Center for International Education;
Clothes and shoes;
Medicines for personal use and prescriptions (check the list of permitted medicines for Russia);
Useful items such as a bilingual dictionary and a guide to Russia;
Electrical items such as a laptop computer, calculator, and MP3/CD player;
Adaptor plugs for electrical items;
Some personal items to remind you of home such as photographs, music and recipes – but no food items.
