The plan presented by Russia to grant residence permits to citizens of Western countries who adhere to traditional values was met with ridicule by many. In this blog post, however, I want to objectively examine what these new rules entail and who could benefit from this new opportunity.
On this page
- What is it?
- What are those traditional values?
- Why is this a unique opportunity?
- Who is it for?
- Who is eligible?
- Grounds for refusal
- How does the process work?
- Conclusion
What is it?
In the preamble of Presidential Decree No. 702, issued on August 19, 2024, it is stated that this decree was signed “to protect fundamental human rights and freedoms.” The decree offers the following opportunities to individuals who share Russia’s traditional spiritual and moral values:
Granting residence permits: Foreign citizens who wish to leave their country due to its political situation and move to Russia based on shared traditional Russian values can apply for a temporary residence permit. This can be done without considering the usual immigration quotas or the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of the Russian language, history, or law.
List of countries: The Russian government will draw up a list of countries that pursue policies contradicting traditional Russian values. This list will be based on recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Implementation: The Russian government and relevant ministries have been instructed to take the necessary measures within a month to implement this decree.
Visas: In certain cases, ordinary three-month visas can be issued to individuals who submit requests under the conditions of this decree.
This decree largely came into effect on September 1, 2024.
What are those traditional values?
The term “traditional values” is not used lightly. Thought has been given to this concept, and it was elaborated in Presidential Decree No. 809 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated November 9, 2022.
According to point 5 of this decree, the following are considered traditional values in Russia:
- Life, dignity, rights, and freedoms of the individual
- Patriotism and citizenship
- Service to the fatherland and responsibility for its destiny
- High moral ideals
- Strong family
- Creative work
- Priority of the spiritual over the material
- Humanism, compassion, and justice
- Collectivism, mutual assistance, and respect
- Historical memory and continuity between generations
- Unity of the peoples of Russia
These values are identified as central to the spiritual and moral foundation of Russian society.
Special role of the Russian Orthodox Church
Point 6 of the decree states: “Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and other religions, which are integral parts of Russia’s historical and spiritual heritage, have had a significant influence on the formation of traditional values shared by both believers and non-believers. Orthodoxy plays a special role in the formation and strengthening of these traditional values.”
Where does the threat to traditional values come from, according to Russia?
Point 13 of the decree outlines that the activities of extremist and terrorist organizations, certain mass media and communication outlets, the actions of the United States of America and other hostile foreign states, several transnational corporations and foreign non-profit organizations, as well as the activities of specific organizations and individuals within Russia, are seen as threats to traditional values.
What are not considered traditional values?
According to point 14 of the decree, ideological and psychological influence on citizens leads to ideologies that are foreign and destructive to the Russian people, including:
- Cultivation of selfishness
- Lawlessness
- Immorality
- Denial of:
- The ideals of patriotism
- The ideals of serving the fatherland
- The ideals of natural continuation of life
- The value of a strong family
- The value of marriage
- The value of large families
- The value of creative work
- Russia’s positive contribution to world history and culture
- The destruction of the traditional family through the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships.
These elements are considered dangerous to the preservation of Russia’s traditional values.
Low birth rates due to non-traditional values
Strangely enough, non-traditional values are also cited as a cause of Russia’s low birth rates (point 15). The decree attributes the decline in population growth to imported non-traditional values, rather than factors like low living standards or stagnant economic growth in many regions of Russia.
Odd mix of elements
Overall, the collection of so-called traditional values in the decree comes across as an odd assortment. It seems that the Russian lawmakers have labeled everything they disapprove of as the result of non-traditional values. For instance, low birth rates are attributed to non-traditional values, rather than economic challenges or declining living conditions in various regions.
Of course, this decree (No. 809) must be understood within the context of its time—it was adopted during the ongoing war in Ukraine. In this light, the document can be viewed as an attempt to give the conflict with the West an ideological basis.
Those familiar with life in Russia know that the country is not exactly a haven of traditional values (and not solely due to Western influence). In essence, while you should not be under any illusions about the sincerity of this decree, you can also recognize that the residence permit based on traditional values presents a unique opportunity.
Why is this a unique opportunity?
Obtaining a residence permit for Russia has always been difficult and cumbersome for individuals without a solid basis to apply without a quota (though not entirely impossible). Foreigners who could apply for a temporary residence permit without a quota, such as those married to a Russian citizen, found the process easier. However, even in such cases, a test demonstrating knowledge of the Russian language, history, and law was still a requirement. With the residence permit based on traditional values, this is no longer necessary. You don’t need to speak a word of Russian to qualify.
Those applying for a residence permit based on traditional values have a significant advantage. They don’t need to apply for a quota or take a Russian language exam. No other category of applicants for Russian residence permits is given such preferential treatment.
Who is it for?
Although the Russian government’s concept of “traditional values” should, in my opinion, be taken with a grain of salt, this residence permit is primarily suitable for those who genuinely resonate with these values.
Moreover, this residence permit is ideal for anyone who wishes to live in Russia but does not have knowledge of the Russian language.
Even though Russia has recently announced plans to move to a truly progressive tax system by 2025, the fact remains that taxes in Russia are much lower than in most countries, particularly for small business owners. The standard of living that you can afford in Russia with a relatively modest amount is on a completely different level compared to anywhere in Western Europe. Additionally, few countries have cities with a culinary scene comparable to Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Previously, some international couples may have felt pressured to marry in order to quickly obtain a Russian residence permit and live together in Russia. Now, the foreign partner can simply apply for a residence permit based on traditional values, without needing to learn Russian. In this sense, the opportunity to apply for a residence permit on the basis of traditional values could actually have the unintended effect of reducing marriages, as it removes that particular incentive.
For foreigners from “unfriendly countries,” their property in Russia has been effectively frozen since the start of the war in Ukraine. While property can still be sold, the foreign owner cannot access the proceeds. By obtaining a residence permit through this pathway, and later applying for permanent residency, the foreigner may eventually be able to sell Russian property and access the funds. Though opinions differ on this, in practice, a permanent residence permit often makes it easier to sell property and access the money.
Who is eligible?
According to the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2560-r, dated September 17, 2024, the following countries’ citizens are eligible for the residence permit based on traditional values:
- Australia
- Austria
- Albania
- Andorra
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- United Kingdom (including British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories)
- Germany
- Greece
- Denmark
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Spain
- Italy
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- San Marino
- North Macedonia
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- United States of America
- Taiwan (China)
- Ukraine
- Finland
- France
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Czech Republic
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Estonia
- Japan
Interestingly, citizens from the so-called “unfriendly countries” are receiving the most favorable treatment with this new regulation.
Grounds for Refusal
First of all, it’s important to understand that the decree grants the right to apply for a residence permit without a quota, but not the right to be granted one. The issuance of both a temporary visa and a temporary residence permit is a discretionary decision made by the relevant official. Nonetheless, it is expected that most applications will be approved.
Article 2B of Presidential Decree No. 702 stipulates that the decision to grant a temporary residence permit in accordance with this decree is made following the established procedure, provided that there are no grounds for refusal as specified in Article 7 of the Federal Law of July 25, 2002, N 115-FZ “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation.”
This law outlines the following grounds for refusal or revocation of a temporary residence permit:
- Advocating for violent changes to Russia’s constitutional order or posing a threat to its security.
- Involvement in, or support for, terrorism, extremism, or related activities.
- Deportation or expulsion from Russia within five years prior to the application.
- Submission of false documents or deliberately incorrect information.
- Conviction of serious crimes, including drug trafficking.
- Having a criminal record for a serious offense, either in Russia or abroad.
- Repeated administrative offenses, such as disturbing public order.
- Failure to work or provide sufficient income to support oneself and family, with some exceptions for students or pensioners.
- Lack of permanent registration in Russian housing after three years.
- Permanent relocation abroad or absence from Russia for more than six months without valid reason.
- Entering into a marriage with a Russian citizen that is later annulled.
- Use of drugs without a medical prescription or suffering from contagious diseases that pose a danger to others.
These grounds ensure that only those who meet certain criteria and do not pose risks to public order or national security are eligible for the permit.
How does the process work?
If you hold a passport from one of the eligible countries mentioned above, you qualify for this type of residence permit.
If you are not currently in Russia, you will need to travel to Russia to submit your application for the residence permit. Normally, you would require an invitation from a resident of Russia to obtain a private visa.
However, according to point 4 of the decree, you can obtain a one-time regular private visa valid for three months “by way of exception” based on a decision by the head of a diplomatic or consular representation of the Russian Federation.
This decision is also at the discretion of the head of the diplomatic mission.
The decree does not state that you must obtain your visa this way to qualify for a residence permit based on traditional values. In theory, you can obtain a visa through other means and then apply for the residence permit based on traditional values while in Russia.
The rules are still less than a month old and not fully developed, and Van Rhijn & Partners will be closely monitoring how these regulations are implemented in practice. It is possible that the process may vary depending on the location where the application is submitted (though the decree itself does not provide a basis for such regional differences).
Conclusion
The new opportunity to apply for a residence permit in Russia based on traditional values offers a unique chance for certain foreigners to settle in Russia without the usual barriers, such as language tests or the need to apply for quotas. While there are valid questions about the sincerity and ideological motivations behind this policy, it could provide a solution for many people, particularly considering the tax benefits and lower cost of living in Russia.
Would you like to learn more about the possibilities these new regulations could offer you? At Van Rhijn & Partners, we are ready to guide you through the entire process, from application to approval. Our expertise in immigration, residence permits, and legal matters ensures you can embark on this journey with confidence. Contact us today and discover what we can do for you!
