The Decree
On August 19, 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed Presidential Decree No. 702, titled "On the Humanitarian Visa and Temporary Residence Permit for Foreign Citizens Sharing Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values." The decree created a new immigration pathway available to citizens of 55 designated countries, including France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, and most other Western nations.
The stated purpose of the decree, as described in its preamble, is to facilitate the relocation of foreign nationals who share values that Russia considers fundamental to its national identity and who wish to live in Russia on that basis. The decree references the "Foundations of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values," approved by Presidential Decree No. 809 of November 9, 2022, as the ideological framework.
What the Decree Creates
Decree No. 702 establishes two new instruments:
1. The Humanitarian Visa (Gumanitarnaya viza)
A special visa category that allows holders to enter Russia and reside for up to one year, with the possibility of extension. The visa is processed outside the standard quota system and is not subject to the usual invitation (priglasheniye) requirement.
2. An Accelerated Temporary Residence Permit (RVP)
Holders of the humanitarian visa may apply for a temporary residence permit through a simplified procedure, bypassing the annual quota that normally limits the number of RVPs issued in each Russian region. The RVP is valid for three years and allows the holder to live, work, and access public services in the designated region.
The 55 Eligible Countries
The list of 55 countries whose citizens may apply under this decree includes all 27 European Union member states, as well as:
- North America: United States, Canada
- Europe (non-EU): United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore
- Others: Israel
The selection corresponds broadly to countries that Russia considers to have adopted policies incompatible with what it defines as traditional values, particularly regarding family structure, gender identity, and cultural norms.
Notably, CIS countries (Central Asian states, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus) are not included. Their citizens already have access to simplified immigration procedures through other bilateral and multilateral agreements.
The Application Process
Step 1: Application at a Russian Consulate
The applicant must submit a request for the humanitarian visa at a Russian consulate or embassy in their country of residence. Required documents include:
- Valid passport with at least 18 months of remaining validity.
- Completed visa application form (available through the MID — Ministry of Foreign Affairs — portal).
- A personal statement (in Russian or with a certified translation) explaining the applicant's motivation for relocating to Russia and their understanding of and adherence to traditional Russian values.
- Supporting documentation, which may include: marriage certificates, proof of family structure, letters from Russian organizations or community groups, evidence of prior engagement with Russian culture or society.
- Standard medical certificates (HIV, tuberculosis, drug screening).
Step 2: Review by the MID
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the FSB and MVD, reviews the application. The decree does not specify fixed criteria for evaluating the "values" component, leaving significant discretion to the reviewing authorities. Processing time is stated as up to 90 days.
Step 3: Visa Issuance and Entry
If approved, the applicant receives a single-entry humanitarian visa valid for up to one year. Upon arrival in Russia, the individual must register with the local MVD migration office within seven business days.
Step 4: RVP Application
After entering Russia on the humanitarian visa, the holder may apply for a temporary residence permit at the regional MVD office. The simplified procedure means the application is not subject to the annual RVP quota, which in many regions is limited to a few hundred or low thousands of permits per year. The RVP application requires the same documentation as a standard application, plus proof of the humanitarian visa.
Defining "Traditional Values"
The decree draws its value framework from Presidential Decree No. 809 of November 9, 2022, which lists the following as "traditional Russian spiritual and moral values":
- Life, dignity, human rights and freedoms
- Patriotism and civic responsibility
- Service to the Fatherland and responsibility for its fate
- High moral ideals
- Strong family, marriage as a union between a man and a woman
- Creative labor and prioritization of the spiritual over the material
- Humanism, mercy, justice, collectivism
- Historical memory and continuity of generations
- Unity of the peoples of Russia
In practice, the assessment of whether an applicant "shares" these values is conducted through the personal statement and supporting documentation, with no standardized test or interview protocol established by the decree. Observers have noted that the absence of objective criteria gives consular and security officials broad latitude in approving or rejecting applications.
Early Implementation Data
According to MID reporting covered by Russian media outlets, by the end of March 2025 — approximately seven months after the decree's entry into force — the following data was available:
- Approximately 4,200 applications had been submitted across all Russian consulates worldwide.
- The largest numbers of applicants came from Germany (approximately 800), France (approximately 650), the United States (approximately 580), and Canada (approximately 350).
- Approval rates varied significantly by consulate, with reported rates ranging from 35% to 60%.
- The most common reasons for rejection were incomplete documentation and insufficient explanation of the applicant's values-based motivation.
These numbers are modest relative to the total population of the 55 eligible countries but represent a new and distinct migration flow.
Legal and Practical Considerations
Rights Under the Humanitarian Visa
The humanitarian visa grants the right to reside in Russia but does not, by itself, confer the right to work. Employment is permitted only after obtaining the RVP or, alternatively, a separate work permit. The visa holder may access emergency medical care but is not entitled to the full range of public healthcare available to RVP and VNZh holders.
Path to Permanent Residence and Citizenship
The decree explicitly states that the humanitarian visa and associated RVP are part of the standard immigration progression. This means:
- After holding the RVP for at least eight months, the holder may apply for a permanent residence permit (VNZh).
- After holding the VNZh for five years (or less, if eligible for simplified naturalization), the individual may apply for Russian citizenship.
The "traditional values" pathway thus provides a viable route from initial entry to full citizenship, potentially in as few as six to seven years under standard rules, or faster if the applicant qualifies for expedited citizenship through marriage to a Russian citizen, military service, or other provisions.
Tax Implications
Foreign nationals who spend more than 183 days per calendar year in Russia are considered tax residents. As tax residents, they are subject to Russian personal income tax at a rate of 13% on income up to 5 million rubles per year and 15% on income above that threshold (as of 2024). Non-residents are taxed at 30%.
Those relocating under the traditional values decree should be aware of potential dual-taxation issues with their country of origin, particularly if that country taxes worldwide income. Russia has double taxation treaties with many countries, but the applicability of these treaties to individuals who have relocated under this specific decree has not been tested.
Broader Context
The decree exists within a broader pattern of Russian legislation emphasizing cultural and social conservatism. Key related legislation includes:
- Federal Law No. 135-FZ of June 29, 2013, prohibiting the dissemination of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" to minors, expanded in 2022 to apply to all ages.
- Federal Law No. 479-FZ of December 12, 2022, banning "gender reassignment" medical procedures except for treatment of congenital physiological abnormalities.
- Presidential Decree No. 809 of November 9, 2022, establishing the "traditional values" framework.
The traditional values visa decree is, in effect, the immigration complement to this domestic legislative agenda: having defined what it considers its core values domestically, Russia now extends an invitation to foreign nationals who identify with those values.
Key Legal References
- Presidential Decree No. 702 of August 19, 2024, "On the Humanitarian Visa and Temporary Residence Permit for Foreign Citizens Sharing Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values."
- Presidential Decree No. 809 of November 9, 2022, "On the Approval of the Foundations of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values."
- Federal Law No. 115-FZ of July 25, 2002, "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation."
Individuals considering this pathway should consult an immigration attorney familiar with the current implementation practices, as the process involves subjective assessments and the regulatory guidance continues to evolve.
