2. Current Students
  3. SIM Cards for foreigners

SIM CARDS FOR FOREIGNERS

Step 1: Have your passport translated by a translation agency or other identity document and notarized.

Step 2: Apply for a SNILS

To obtain a SNILS, you need to go to any MFC office in your area

You will need:

  • passport or other identity document (for stateless persons)
  • original certified translation of passport or other identity document (for stateless persons)
  • actual email

It can take from 5 minutes to 5 days to prepare a SNILS. When your one is ready, you will receive a notification to your e-mail address.
As soon as you receive a sms-notification on readiness of SNILS, you need to go to any MFC office in your district and pick up your SNILS.

Step 3: Register on the Gosuslugi portal

After 5-7 days from the day of receiving the SNILS, go to the MFC branch, where an employee will register you on the Gosuslugi portal.

Step 4: Confirm your account on the Gosuslugi portal

It can take up to 14 days to confirm your account on the Gosuslugi portal. To check the status, go to your personal account.
If the entry is not confirmed, contact the MFC office in your area.

Step 5: Register biometrics at the bank

After confirming your account on the Gosuslugi portal, go to a bank office for biometrics.

You will need there:

  • passport or other identity document (for stateless persons)
  • Notarized translation of passport or other identity document (for stateless persons)
  • SNILS
  • Confirmed account on the Gosuslugi portal
  • e-mail address indicated in your personal account on the Gosuslugi portal.

Follow the instructions of the bank employee: look into the camera and say a few digits.
Your biometrics will be registered immediately. You can check its status in your personal account on the Gosuslugi portal.

Step 6: Register your SIM card

To register a SIM card, go to a telecom operator’s showroom.

You will need:

  • your passport or other identity document (for stateless persons)
  • The original certified translation of the passport or other identity document (for stateless persons)
  • confirmed entry on the Gosuslugi portal with your biometrics
  • email address
  • IMEI of the device in which you plan to use the SIM card

Choose a phone number. The staff member will draw up a contract for you to sign.
After signing the contract, you will be assisted with downloading an application; then you will choose a tariff and after that you will be able to actively use your SIM card.

Step 7: Activate your SIM-card

Add your phone number in your personal account on the Gosuslugi portal. If there are any difficulties, any staff member of the operator will h yelp you out with that.