Job Opportunities in Russia for Indian Students

Job Market in Russia

While the majority of jobs available for international students in Russia is in the service sector, many multinational companies also have their bases in major cities in the country. Having said that, main cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg are two of the best places to find work that pay well and make sure that one is moving up the career ladder. With most jobs across  sectors and highest employment rate, Moscow is considered the economic heart of Russia .

Although the job market would vary depending on the sector and one’s highest qualification, the primary sectors in Russia with most opportunities include health, retail, tourism, mining, education, manufacturing and construction.

In Russia, the minimum wage is 20,589 rubles per month. However, depending on the city and the type of job, the average wage in Russia is 47.9 rubles per month.

Can International Students Work While Studying in Russia?

The answer is yes. International students in Russia can work at the university or its organisations part-time. International Offices at Russian universities provide substantial help to students and help them find employment such as contractual work. Students do not need to get a work permit to work alongside studying from the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia. However, in other cases like working full-time after graduation would require an international student to have a work permit.

Permits are granted to students enrolled in full-time courses at state-accredited universities and they can only work according to the profession in the permit and the city.

Study-work Regulations in Russia

Here are the study-work regulations for international students in Russia:

• International students do not need any permits if they are employed at Russian universities or their affiliated organizations outside class time including holidays. Permits otherwise are required.

• They can work only according to the profession mentioned in the permit and the region where the university is located.

• The permit is issued for one year which needs to be extended for the term of the respective employment contract. If students leave their course, the permit is cancelled.

• If a student quits a job before the end of the current work permit, they may choose to work at the next organisation using the same permit provided they inform the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia of the same.

• A work permit in Russia is issued within 10 working days.

• As of 2018, the fee for a work permit is 3,500 roubles.

• Students who work in Russia without a permit face fines of 2,000 to 5,000 roubles. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, the fine may go up to 5,000 to 7,000 roubles along with deportation.

Can an International Student Stay in Russia After Graduation?

Yes, an international student can stay and work in Russia after graduation provided they have a work visa or work permit. A foreign student’s stay is valid only if they have a student visa throughout the period of their study. They would not be allowed to stay back in Russia if they do not have a work permit after they have completed their program of study.

Top 3 Part-time Jobs for International Students in Russia

Although not easy to land a part-time job in Russia, international students can find good and a variety of opportunities as mentioned below:

Working at the University: Working at a Russian university while an international student is enrolled in a full-time course does not require a permit. If the school offers courses in English, there might be hiring too. The most popular job opportunity at a Russian university including teaching assistants or research assistants. If one is interested in the same, they can simply contact the professors or the International Students Office.

Home Tutoring: In Russia, there is a huge demand for tutors and especially language tutors. Russians pay well to English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese or Italian speakers who can teach them the language. The job usually pays around $50 per hour.

Freelance Writing: Those with an interest in writing or who are somewhat more literary-minded can become a freelance writer in Russia. The country does not find pieces written about the country on foreign websites, for which freelance writers are hired. They can also make contributions to culture guides, online magazines, or newspapers.

Part-Time Jobs in Russia for MBBS Students

Even though medical education in Russia is quite economical, the cost of living can still pinch a bit. This is why many international students find part-time work to cover their daily expenses. Students can easily find part-time jobs in Russia but keep in mind that for anything other than working on campus in Russia, it is necessary to have a work permit. Students can also find work at certain places and organizations that are affiliated with their college. The college/university’s International Office can be contacted for any help with finding employment in Russia.

Following are some part-time options that are available for medical students in Russia.

• Working on-campus as a campus ambassador or a teacher’s assistant is preferred by many students as no work permit is required for doing so. Plus, it proves to be quite convenient for students even though it does not pay that well.

• Language tuitions are another great way for students to earn money while studying in Russia. If you are fluent at Russian, English, French, Spanish or German, you can look for opportunities online, including social media websites such as Facebook and make good money.

• Freelance writing jobs are quite popular in Russia, especially for speakers of the English language. There are ample opportunities available online and decent money can be made while working from the comfort of your room or library.

• Blogging can be taken up by students to help finance their stay in Russia. Russia is a scenic country and offers ample opportunities to explore. Cities, culture, food, natural spaces and much more can be experienced and sharing your stories and knowledge on social media platforms can not only help other study-abroad aspirants but also provide a unique opportunity to make money online in Russia.

• Unskilled jobs such as working at a mall, restaurant, showroom etc. can also prove to be a decent source of income without taking up too much of your time every day.

Types of Work Visas in Russia

In Russia, there are two types of work visas/work permits for which a foriegn national can apply:

Standard Work Visa: Valid for 3 months which can be extended by the employer, a Standard Work Visa in Russia requires an applicant to have an annual salary of less than 2 million rubles.

Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) Work Visa: Granted initially for three years, the visa is for individuals who have an annual salary of more than 2 million rubles or USD 25,854 (according to current exchange rate as of April 2021).

Post-Study Work Visa Regulations in Russia

Here are the post-study work visa regulations for international students/foreign nationals in Russia:

• Citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) do not require a Russian work permit to work in Russia after graduation.

• Those from CIS have to apply for a work patent within 30 days of arriving in Russia and find employment within 60 days of receiving the work patent. The work patent gives them the right to work free from quotas for up to 12 months and can be renewed once.

• The employer will acquire the Russian work permit by applying at the General Directorate of Migratory Affairs (GUVM).

• Documents such as a valid passport with notarized translation of every page, passport photo,    copy of the necessary qualification certificates, medical certificate confirming absence of diseases,     receipt for payment of fees will be required for a Russian work permit.

• Graduates of accredited Russian institutions can stay in the country as temporary residents after graduating.

• In August 2020, Russia announced that international students from any country can apply for a permanent residence permit without having to first get a temporary residence permit if they graduate with an honours diploma.

Job Opportunities after Studying MBBS in Russia

Working Full-Time after an MBBS Degree in Russia

Finding full-time employment in Russia can be tricky as it is not legal for foreign students to stay back after the completion of their course. Only those who hold a valid work permit can extend their stay in Russia and a work visa may be necessary in your case to gain full-time employment in Russia.

After you have an employer interested in your services, they can apply for a work permit on your behalf. Only companies and organizations who have acquired the necessary permission by showing the need to employ foreign nationals can apply for work permits.

Work Permit for Students Pursuing MBBS in Russia

As the number of medical aspirants from India rose over the years, there was a need to find employment for young graduates looking to kick start their career in medicine in Russia. In a bid to ensure that the time and energy of students is not wasted, the Russian government significantly simplified the process of obtaining a work permit for Indian students. The number of documents required was reduced and the processing time was slashed to just 10 days. Now, it is easier than ever for Indian MBBS students to get a work permit in Russia.

Work permits in Russia are issued by the Federal Migration Service. Once you have received an offer of employment, your employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf. Along with the completed application form, the following documents are required to apply for a work permit:

1. Valid passport

2. Photographs

3. Migration card

4. Employment contract

5. Proof of being enrolled in a full-time course from the university

6. Medical certificate (which shows an HIV-negative status)

7. Receipt of Fee payment

The work permit issued to a foreign student enrolled in a full-time MBBS course in Russia is valid for 1 year. It can be renewed after that, subject to student visa availability.

Working in India after MBBS from Russia

As the majority of the Russian universities are recognized by MCI for their medical courses, candidates can easily find work in India after pursuing an MBBS course from Russia. However, to find employment in India, candidates must clear a common screening test called the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE), which is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in India.

After a medical graduate from Russia has cleared this exam, he/she is allowed to find employment in India. Candidates should note that there are certain medical jobs in India that do not require MBBS graduates from Russia to take the screening test.

Working Abroad after MBBS from Russia

24 Russian universities are part of QC World University Rankings 2018. 10 of these are in the top 400, which perfectly illustrates the quality and standard of education maintained in Russian universities. Also, Russian universities have received recognition from organizations and agencies from all over the world, such as MCI, WHO, Australia, UK, USA etc.

What this means is that you can expect to get a job anywhere in the world after receiving an MBBS degree from a recognized Russian university.