MBBS in Russia Packing Guide 2025

Studying MBBS in Russia is a dream for thousands of Indian students every year. But before you step into your white coat journey, there’s one crucial step packing smart. What should you carry from India? What’s cheaper in Russia? Which documents are mandatory?

This guide covers everything: must carry items, what to avoid, India vs Russia price tips, apps, SIM & banking setup, and a one-page printable checklist.

study in russia

Quick Packing Highlights

  • Cabin Bag Musts: Passport + cover + migration slip, 10th & 12th originals, admission letter, HIV test copy, 25 photos, RUB & USD cash, iPad, chargers, snacks.
  • Check-in Bag: Jeans (5-6), T-shirts/shirts (5-6), sportswear (2), thermals (2-3), aprons (2), scrubs (2 sets), kadhai-pressure cooker, spices, notebooks, trimmer.
  • Buy in Russia: Winter jackets, boots, gloves, mufflers, Crocs for clinical.
  • Avoid: Forex cards, liquids >100 ml in cabin, sharp/flammable items.
  • Setup Before Flight: Airtel eSIM, UPI & banking apps, VPN, 2GIS, Yandex Maps, Google Translate (offline).

 

Flight & Baggage Basics

  • Most airlines allow 7-10 kg cabin + 23 kg check-in.
  • You can add an extra 23 kg bag for a fee useful for winter wear/spices.
  • Use hard-shell suitcases with TSA locks (better protection & hassle-free at airport).
  • Wrap liquids in zip-locks; avoid heavy electronics in check-in.

 

What to Pack in Your Cabin Bag

study mbbs in russia

Mandatory Documents

  • Passport + protective cover with migration slip
  • 10th & 12th original mark sheets
  • Admission letter (printed copy)
  • HIV test report (NMC-approved lab preferred)
  • Passport photos (~25, some without specs)

Money & Electronics

  • RUB 20,000 for initial expenses
  • USD for semester fees
  • iPad + Pencil (best for PDFs, notes)
  • Chargers, power bank (≥10,000 mAh), headphones
  • Small cross-body bag for passport & cash

What NOT to Pack in Cabin

  • Liquids >100 ml
  • Sharp items (knives, scissors)
  • Perfumes/aerosols (flammables)
  • Large electronics (risk of security rejection)

 

Check-in Bag Essentials

Clothing

  • Jeans: 5-6 (relaxed fit, easy for thermals)
  • T-shirts/shirts: 5-6
  • Sportswear: 2 sets (mandatory for sports class)
  • Thermals: 2-3 sets
  • Towels: 2-3 (India quality > Russia)
  • Traditional wear: 1-2 sets (festivals)

Medical Wear

  • Aprons: 2
  • Scrubs: 2 sets

Kitchen & Food

  • Kadhai + pressure cooker combo (Indian design is better)
  • Initial spices (1-month stock), tea, Maggi masala, ginger-garlic paste, peri-peri
  • Small snacks

Stationery & Personal Items

  • Multi-subject notebooks (2)
  • Colored pencils for diagrams
  • Trimmer (costly in Russia)

 

What to Buy in Russia (Instead of Carrying)

  • Winter Gear: Jackets, boots, gloves, mufflers (better fit + climate-suited + saves luggage).
  • Crocs: Perfect for clinical practice (widely available, durable).
  • Kitchen Items: Plates, bowls, glasses (cheap locally; steel is rare though).

 

Apps & Digital Setup Before Flight

  • VPNs: CATVPN (iOS), OctaHide (Android) to access Insta/WhatsApp.
  • Maps: 2GIS, Yandex Maps.
  • University Apps: Moy Univer, Yandex Mail.
  • Shopping/Utilities: Wildberries, Slava (water delivery).
  • Translation: Google Translate (offline Russian).

 

Medicines & Prescriptions

  • Carry a small medicine box (fever, cold, painkillers).
  • Doctor’s prescription must mention “travelling abroad” with registration ID.
  • Keep a digital copy of prescription.

 

Banking & SIM Tips

  • Best Cards: HDFC Millennia / Neo Global (avoid Forex cards).
  • Cash Strategy: RUB for living, USD for fees, little INR for swaps.
  • SIM: Keep Airtel active (prefer eSIM). Recharge for international SMS before leaving.
  • Set up UPI/banking apps in India (rely on OTP).

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Buying winter jackets/boots in India (wrong fit & expensive).
  • Carrying heavy books (PDFs shared by professors).
  • Forgetting sportswear (attendance can suffer).
  • Packing liquids >100 ml in cabin.
  • Not setting up UPI & SMS banking in India.