Shared Values Visa sees 1,156 applications in Russia’s debut months

Key Takeaways

• 1,156 Shared Values Visa applications submitted between Sept 2024 and May 2025.
• Top applicants from Germany, Latvia, and the US; European nationals comprise 79% of top ten.
• SVV outpaces Russian Golden Visa with no language exams, three-year residence permit offered.

Russia’s Shared Values Visa: Data Analysis of Applications, Trends, and Implications

Purpose and Scope

This analysis provides a detailed examination of Russia’s Shared Values Visa (SVV) program, focusing on application data from its launch in September 2024 through May 23, 2025. The report covers the program’s background, eligibility requirements, applicant demographics, and broader policy context. It also compares the SVV to other Russian immigration pathways and discusses the implications for applicants, Russian society, and international migration trends.

Data Sources and Periods

• Primary data: Official statistics released by Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs as of May 23, 2025, covering the first seven months of the SVV program.
• Policy documents: Presidential Decree No. 702 (August 2024), Prime Ministerial approval of eligible countries (September 2024).
• Expert commentary: Statements from Ilja Belobragin, General Managing Partner of MovetoRussia.com.
• Comparative data: Application numbers for Russia’s Golden Visa program in early 2025.
• Contextual information: Recent immigration policy changes in Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
• Official resources: Russian government immigration portal (mvd.gov.ru).

Key Findings

• 1,156 applications for the Shared Values Visa were submitted in the first seven months (September 2024–May 2025).
• European nationals dominate the applicant pool, accounting for 79% of the top ten nationalities.
• Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania) represent a quarter of top-ten applications, despite their small populations.
• Germany is the leading source country, followed by Latvia and the United States 🇺🇸.
• The SVV program’s application volume far exceeds that of Russia’s Golden Visa, which received only two applications in early 2025.
• The program removes traditional barriers such as language exams and quota restrictions, offering a three-year residence permit and a pathway to permanent residency.
• Approval rates and processing timelines remain undisclosed as of May 2025.

Program Overview: Purpose and Establishment

The Shared Values Visa was introduced by Presidential Decree No. 702, signed by President Vladimir Putin in August 2024. The program officially began on September 1, 2024. Unlike traditional visas based on investment or family ties, the SVV specifically targets individuals who reject what Russian authorities describe as “destructive neoliberal ideology” in their home countries.

Key objectives include:
– Attracting foreigners who share Russian traditional values.
– Addressing skilled labor shortages in sectors such as industry, healthcare, and IT.
– Simplifying the immigration process for ideologically aligned applicants.
– Promoting cultural integration and social cohesion.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved a list of 47 eligible countries, including most European Union members, the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. This broad eligibility reflects Russia’s intent to attract applicants from Western and developed nations.

Application Data: Volume, Nationalities, and Trends

Total Applications

• 1,156 applications were submitted between September 2024 and May 23, 2025.

Top Source Countries

Visual Description:
Imagine a bar chart with Germany’s bar towering above the rest, followed by a cluster of bars for Latvia, the United States 🇺🇸, and France. The Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania) together form a significant block, visually highlighting their outsized representation relative to population.

Regional Patterns

• European countries account for 678 applications (79% of the top ten).
• Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania) together submitted 220 applications, about 25% of the top ten.
• North America (United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦) contributed 149 applications.
• Asia-Pacific (South Korea, Australia) contributed 67 applications.

Trend Comparisons

• SVV vs. Golden Visa: The SVV’s 1,156 applications in seven months contrast sharply with only two applications for Russia’s Golden Visa in early 2025. This suggests that ideological alignment is a stronger motivator than financial investment for potential migrants to Russia, at least in the current geopolitical climate.

• Daily Growth: Russian authorities report that applications are increasing daily, though no detailed month-by-month breakdown is available.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility Criteria

• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of one of the 47 eligible countries.
• Ideological alignment: Applicants must declare opposition to “destructive neoliberal ideology” and support for Russian traditional values, defined as “respect for life, dignity, human rights, high moral ideals, strong family values, and prioritizing spirituality over materialism.”
• No criminal record: Applicants must provide a Certificate of No Criminal Record.

Application Steps

1. Initial Visa Application:
   Contact the Russian Consulate in the applicant’s country to apply for the Shared Values Visa.
   Find your local Russian Consulate.

2. Documentation:

   • Passport (translated into Russian and notarized)
   • Certificate of No Criminal Record (translated and notarized)
3. Entry to Russia:
   Upon approval, applicants receive a three-month visa to enter Russia.

4. Temporary Residence Permit Application:
   After arrival, applicants apply for a three-year temporary residence permit in the region where they intend to live and work.
   Official application form and instructions (in Russian).

5. Financial Considerations:
   Due to Western sanctions, Visa and Mastercard do not function in Russia. Applicants are advised to bring up to $10,000 in cash (the maximum allowed without a customs declaration).

6. Travel Logistics:
   With limited direct flights from many eligible countries, applicants often transit through Turkey, Serbia, or the United Arab Emirates.

Example Scenario:
A German applicant, Anna, opposes recent policy changes in her home country and wishes to move to Russia. She contacts the Russian Consulate in Berlin, gathers her documents, and receives a three-month entry visa. Anna flies via Istanbul to Moscow, bringing cash for initial expenses. After arrival, she applies for her three-year residence permit, bypassing language and history exams.

Program Benefits and Distinctions

Key Advantages

• No language or history exams: Unlike standard Russian immigration processes, SVV applicants are exempt from these requirements.
• No annual quota: The program is not subject to the 10,595-permit annual cap that applies to other temporary residence permits.
• Three-year residence permit: Grants the right to live and work in the chosen region.
• Pathway to permanent residency: SVV holders can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit within three years, and potentially for citizenship after five years.
• Simplified process: Fewer bureaucratic hurdles and faster initial entry.

Comparison with Golden Visa

• Golden Visa: Requires significant investment in real estate, business, or social projects. Only two applications received in early 2025.
• SVV: Focuses on ideological alignment, not financial investment. Over 1,100 applications in the same period.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the SVV’s streamlined requirements and ideological focus have made it far more attractive than investment-based pathways, especially for applicants from countries experiencing political or cultural shifts.

Demographic and Policy Implications

Applicant Demographics

• European dominance: The high number of applications from Germany, France, Italy, and the Baltic states suggests that political or cultural dissatisfaction in these countries may be driving interest.
• Baltic states: The strong representation from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania may reflect the presence of ethnic Russian minorities or individuals seeking to reconnect with family or cultural roots in Russia.

Policy Context

• Strategic objectives: Russia is using the SVV to attract skilled workers and ideologically sympathetic migrants, potentially offsetting labor shortages and promoting social cohesion.
• International comparisons: Other countries, such as Lithuania and the Czech Republic, are tightening restrictions on Russian nationals, while Russia is opening its doors to Westerners who share its values.

Limitations and Unknowns

• Approval rates: The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has not disclosed how many applications have been approved or denied.
• Processing times: No official data on average processing times is available.
• Long-term integration: It remains to be seen how well SVV holders will integrate into Russian society and whether they will pursue permanent residency or citizenship.

Challenges and Practical Considerations

Application Barriers

• Limited consular presence: Many Russian consulates in eligible countries have reduced operations, making it harder to submit applications.
• Travel difficulties: Sanctions and limited direct flights complicate travel planning.
• Financial logistics: The need to bring cash due to sanctions on payment systems poses risks and inconvenience.

Use of Professional Services

Some applicants are turning to immigration consultants or legal services to navigate the process, especially given language barriers and bureaucratic complexity.

Broader Context: International Migration Trends

• Russia’s approach: The SVV represents a shift toward values-based immigration, contrasting with investment-driven or family-based models common in other countries.
• Global context: As Western countries impose restrictions on Russian nationals, Russia is actively courting Westerners who feel alienated by political or cultural changes at home.
• Potential for growth: If approval rates are high and integration is successful, the SVV could become a significant channel for skilled migration to Russia.

Limitations of Current Data

• No approval statistics: Without information on how many applications are accepted, it is difficult to assess the program’s true impact.
• No demographic breakdown: Age, occupation, and family status of applicants are not reported.
• No data on outcomes: It is unclear how many SVV holders have transitioned to permanent residency or citizenship.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Shared Values Visa program has generated substantial interest, with over 1,100 applications in its first seven months—far outpacing Russia’s investment-based Golden Visa. The program’s focus on ideological alignment, exemption from language and quota requirements, and clear pathway to permanent residency make it an attractive option for certain foreign nationals, especially from Europe and North America.

Key takeaways for potential applicants:
– Review eligibility and prepare required documents, including a notarized Certificate of No Criminal Record.
– Plan for travel and financial logistics, given sanctions and limited consular services.
– Monitor official Russian government sources (mvd.gov.ru) for updates on approval rates and process changes.

As the program approaches its first anniversary in September 2025, more comprehensive data on outcomes and applicant profiles will be essential for assessing its long-term impact on Russia’s immigration landscape.

For further details on the Shared Values Visa and official application procedures, consult the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and your local Russian consulate.

Learn Today

Shared Values Visa → A Russian visa targeting applicants who align ideologically with Russian traditional values, launched September 2024.
Presidential Decree No. 702 → Official order signed by Putin establishing the Shared Values Visa program in August 2024.
Temporary Residence Permit → A legal authorization allowing non-citizens to live and work in Russia for three years.
Ideological Alignment → Requirement that applicants oppose destructive neoliberal ideology and support Russian traditional values.
Golden Visa → Russian investment-based visa program requiring significant financial commitment, receiving few applications recently.

This Article in a Nutshell

Russia’s Shared Values Visa attracts over 1,100 applicants in its first seven months, targeting those aligned ideologically rather than financially. It offers a simplified process without language or quota limits, granting a three-year residence permit, signaling a shift in Russia’s immigration policy towards values-based admission.
— By VisaVerge.com

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