Russian Residence Visas Available To Foreign Nationals With Shared Russian Values

Foreign nationals who share Russia’s traditional values, and disagree with the ‘neoliberal’ principles imposed by their own governments can now apply for Russian residency permits, according to a decree signed on Monday (August 19) by President Vladimir Putin.

Unofficial estimates suggest that up to 80,000 foreign individuals – and their families – would take up Russian residence if made available. The main driver behind this appears to be the move towards promoting ‘gender fluidity’ and transexual normality in some Western schools, in addition to other related issues such as the overall promotion of the LGTBQ community as a mainstream movement, coupled with vilification for individuals who do not agree with minorities having such a large say in their national makeup. Of particular concern is children’s education and the exposure to such social variants. Parents who oppose such values can now be prosecuted for ‘hate crimes’ and regarded as promoting intolerance towards minorities. Some teachers, for example, who refuse to allow these subjects or refuse the use of ‘correct’ gender pronouns to be used in the classroom have been jailed.

Others believe these issues merely confuse young children and are equivalent to a form of abuse.

The promotion of gender fluidity is illegal in Russia, and while homosexuality is legal, it is not encouraged as part of normal social society behaviour. In short, this means the State does not intrude on individuals private sex lives but doesn’t want them publicly promoted either. Gay parades and so on are banned in Russia.

While Putin has signed the decree, enabling it to come into effect, details still have to be worked out. A list of the countries whose societal values are in question, and consequently their citizens made eligible for a Russian residence will be determined by the government. The foreign ministry will also streamline the issuance of three-month visas for those interested in moving to Russia for these ideological reasons. The decree will come into force on September 1. A move to provide permanent residence visas is expected to follow once Russia’s immigration department can introduce vetting and related procedures.

The visas will not require an existing proficiency in the Russian language, although applicants will be expected to learn.

In November 2022, Putin approved a framework for state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. Among the values are life, dignity, human rights and freedoms, high moral ideals, strong family values, and priority of spirituality over materialism.

Last November, Russia’s Supreme Court outlawed the “international LGBTQ public movement,” designating it an extremist organization. In July 2023, Putin signed a decree banning gender reassignment surgeries. It was also announced in June that the Russian government was drafting legislation banning the promotion of “child-free ideology,” particularly among young women.

During an address to the Federal Assembly in February, Putin said that “a large family with many children should become the norm, the philosophy of social life, the guideline of the entire strategy of the state.” The Russian leadership has taken numerous measures to reinforce these values in recent months.