Admission of children of foreign nationals to school

Since April 2025, new rules have been in effect for admitting children of foreign nationals to school.
 (Federal Law No. 544-FZ of December 28, 2024)

Children who are foreign nationals may be admitted to school only if the legality of their stay and that of their representatives in Russia is confirmed.
In addition, foreign minors applying for primary general, basic general, or secondary general education must successfully pass Russian-language tests at a level sufficient to undertake the relevant educational programs, free of charge at a state or municipal general education institution.

The language test assesses proficiency in Russian at a level sufficient to undertake the school curriculum.

Those who do not pass the test are not admitted to the programs

The Ministry of Education establishes the procedure for conducting this test.

The tasks take age-related characteristics into account: 
— for Grade 1, only an oral section (speaking, listening, oral comprehension, and lexical and grammatical skills); 
— from Grade 2 onward, written tasks are added (reading and writing).

Parents must provide the documents required for admission:
— proof of relationship or legal guardianship/representation;
— documents confirming the legality of the child's and their representatives' stay in the Russian Federation;
— a medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous infectious diseases;
— copies of identity documents for the legal representatives.
✏️Full list of documents here.

Document requirements:
— language (documents must be in Russian or accompanied by a certified translation);
— verification (mandatory review of the submitted documents).

If an incomplete set of documents is submitted, the application is returned without consideration.

According to the Ministry of Education, in 2025, 12% of those wishing to enroll submitted the required documents and passed the test successfully.