Some Americans who reject neoliberal values are relocating to Russia under its Shared Values Visa, drawn by traditional morals and a path to citizenship despite challenges and warnings.
A handful of Americans are taking a drastic step: moving to Russia to live in a more conservative setting. The country has become attractive to those who subscribe to traditional gender roles and reject equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree introducing the Shared Values Visa to “provide humanitarian support to people who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” Citizens from 47 countries with neoliberal values—including the E.U., the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Japan—can apply for this “anti-woke” visa. They do not need to learn the language or pass a test; they receive a three-year temporary residence permit, which can lead to citizenship after five years.
According to Russia’s Interior Ministry, 1,156 people applied for the visa within nine months of the decree’s signing; 99 Americans are among the applicants. Russia’s Interior Ministry Major General Irina Volk said, “The desire to move to Russia for permanent residence arose against the background of the abolition of traditional moral and family values in American society, as well as the low level of education.”
Continue Reading Article After Our Video
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Russian politician and former U.S. prisoner Maria Butina is leading the campaign by promoting videos of resettled expats criticizing their home countries. The state-run RT is financing bloggers who showcase expats relocating successfully, and many families are documenting their journeys on YouTube.
Despite the flurry of videos praising the Russian dream, migrants have also spoken about challenges, though their comments were quickly edited out or deleted.
A conservative family from Canada made the move in 2024. The couple, Arend and Anneesa Feenstra, migrated with their eight children and built a farm in the countryside. In a local press conference soon after their arrival, the duo justified their decision by acknowledging that Canada is not the same and they didn’t feel safe. “There’s a lot of left-wing ideology, LGBTQ, trans, just a lot of things that we don’t agree with that they teach there now,” Arend said.
But things didn’t go smoothly. They sold their farm in Canada and transferred the money to Russia, but their accounts were frozen due to the large sum. The lack of language skills proved to be a hurdle when they tried to regain access, and, frustrated, Anneesa posted a video on YouTube venting against the bureaucracies. “I’m ready to jump on a plane and get out of here. We’ve hit the first snag where you have to engage logic in this country, and it’s very, very frustrating,” she said.
The video was later deleted. The couple retracted their statements and posted an apology video, raising concerns about political pressure and freedom of speech. Their channel, which now has 198,000 followers, is all praise for Russia and life there.
From the U.S., the Huffman family garnered international attention after Derek and DeAnna Huffman from Texas moved to Russia this year with their three daughters. The family left the U.S. due to “woke culture” and “LGBT indoctrination” in schools.
They have documented their journey on YouTube, and in a recent, now-deleted video, DeAnna spoke about Derek getting drafted into the military and sent to the front lines despite assurances he would have a noncombat role. “He feels like he’s being thrown to the wolves right now, and he’s kind of having to lean on faith, and that’s what we’re all doing,” she said. She also added that they have not received military pay, and he doesn’t speak the language, so it’s been rough all around. Soon, this video was deleted, and the couple addressed the attention in a new video, with Derek asserting that he’s doing what’s right for the family.
The move is promoted as a spiritual asylum, with Russian propaganda narrating that the West has abolished traditional values. However, experts see this as an effort to improve Russia’s image by using disillusioned Westerners to promote Russia’s moral and traditional family values that exclude gay rights. In addition, it is also a way to bring highly skilled workers to the country at a time when the birth rate is declining and Russia has faced tremendous losses due to war.
Related: All These Worldwide Conflicts Are Disrupting Flights Between Europe and Asia
Note: The U.S. Department of State has a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Russia due to terrorism, risk of harassment and detention and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
