Putin streamlines immigration process for foreigners opposed to Western ‘neoliberal ideology’

Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree aimed at simplifying the relocation process for foreign citizens who want to move to Russia because they support “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” and oppose the “neoliberal ideology” of their home countries.

The decree grants foreign citizens who reject the “destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes” allegedly imposed by governments in their home countries a streamlined process to apply for a temporary residence permit in Russia.

Under the new rules, those interested in moving to Russia because of their political views would be required to submit a letter explaining their desire to relocate at a Russian embassy or consulate.

Upon approval, applicants are to be issued with a three-month single-entry visa allowing them to travel to Russia, from where they can lodge an application for temporary residence in the country.

The decree waives usually mandatory Russian language, history and law tests for such individuals, as well as allowing them to bypass strict quotas on the number of foreign citizens who can move to Russia each year.

It also tasks Russia’s Foreign Ministry with drawing up a list of countries whose governments impose policies that “contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” for approval by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin within the next month.

In November 2022, Putin issued a decree aimed at “preserving and consolidating” traditional Russian values, which it defined as the “moral guidelines that form the worldview of Russian citizens”. Among the values listed are “patriotism”, “service to the Fatherland” and the idea of a “strong family”, as well as the “priority of the spiritual over the material”.

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Irina Volk published a video of an American family receiving temporary asylum documents in Moscow after relocating to Russia with their three children due to what she called the “cancellation of traditional moral and family values in American society”.