Yes, international students in Russia can work, but it depends on their mode of study and the documents they have.
If a student is enrolled full-time (daytime studies) at a Russian university, they can work without a patent or special permit. The main condition is that the job must not interfere with their studies.
If a student studies part-time or in a blended format, a work patent is required.
It is also important that the employment is official. The employer must sign a contract and submit a notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Where students usually work:
- in the service sector (cafés, shops, restaurants, etc.);
- in delivery services;
- in their field of study, but part-time.
What to keep in mind for full-time students:
- Work must not interfere with studies;
- Employment must be official;
- It is always better to carry a copy of the employment contract.
If you graduate from a full-time program, the right to work without a patent ends.
To continue working, you must:
1. Apply for a work patent;
2. Re-register with your employer as a regular foreign worker.
Working without proper documents can lead to fines and problems with your migration status. It is better to arrange everything correctly from the beginning and work without concerns.
To make sure everything is in order, you can check your status in the RKL database through the Migrant ID service — it helps identify any violations of Russian migration law.
