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The Russian government has unveiled a list of 47 countries and territories eligible for its newly introduced "Shared Values Visa" (SVV) program. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the roster on September 17, 2024, which includes major Western powers and their allies.
Announced in August, the SVV offers a streamlined path to Russian residency for foreigners who align with the country's "traditional values." It waives language and history test requirements typically needed for temporary residence permits and is not subject to the quota system.
The list predominantly includes countries from North America, Western Europe, parts of Asia, and Oceania. Notable inclusions are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most European Union member states. Japan and South Korea have also been added to the list of eligible nationalities.
Eligible Nationalities for the SVV:
Australia, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Austria, Latvia, Singapore, Albania, Lithuania, Slovenia, Andorra, Liechtenstein, United States of America, Bahamas, Luxembourg, Taiwan (China), Belgium, Malta, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Micronesia, Finland, United Kingdom, Monaco, France, Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, Greece, New Zealand, Montenegro, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Iceland, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Ireland, Republic of Korea, Estonia, Italy, Romania, Japan, Canada, San Marino
The program's launch coincides with Russia's broader pivot towards Asia and internal development. It is seen as an effort to address future workforce needs in Russia, particularly in light of planned expansions in trade infrastructure to the East and South, as well as securing the Northern Sea Route.
The SVV program extends eligibility to both citizens and permanent residents of the listed countries. As with any new initiative, it is expected to continue for a couple of years before any adjustments are made or additional countries are added to the list.
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