Everything You Should Know About the Russian Investor Visa and Shared Values Visa

Given current geopolitical dynamics, Russia is emerging as a promising land of new opportunities and a lifestyle substantiating traditional values. Recently, the country introduced two novel visa categories: the Investor Visa and the Shared Values Visa. Both are designed to extend a perfect welcome to foreigners who appreciate Russia's unique economic and cultural landscape.

Russian Investor Visa

The Russian Investor Visa is a new residency by investment program that actually provides quite an interesting opportunity for foreign investors.
This creates the possibility of granting immediate permanent residency to investors upon approval.

With this in mind, the path to citizenship is very clear, and it is at the end of five years of legal residency, provided there is appropriate proficiency in the Russian language. The language exam is quite simple, making the process very straightforward.

Investors can apply for permanent residency after a period that depends on their investment asset class.

The qualification investment routes for investors start with at least RUB 15 million invested in socially significant projects (investor can obtain permanent residency in three years after investment).

For real estate investments, investors can choose from the following:

• RUB20m ($210 000) investment in real estate in Far Eastern Federal District;
• RUB25m ($260,000) investment in real estate elsewhere in Russia;
• RUB50m ($525,000) investment in real estate in Moscow;

Real estate investments have the fastest route to permanent residency, requiring just one year of wait time to apply. Further alternatives include RUB 30 million invested in a Russian company or setting up a company that pays at least RUB 4 million per year in taxes and fees. Both these options have a two year wait for permanent residency. An investor must show that the company has paid taxes of RUB 4 million in the two years prior to obtaining permanent residency.

The program has some very attractive aspects:

• Immigration right away
• Application processing is relatively fast - about three months
• Obtaining citizenship after five years of residency (and passing a language exam)
• Free healthcare
• Free school education
• Visa-free travel to 120 destinations after citizenship
• Russian taxes offer significant benefits, including one of Europe's lowest personal income tax rates at 13% to 15%, along with competitive profit tax (0% to 20%), and VAT (0%/10%/20%) rates, all governed by the Russian Tax Code.

The residency permit can be renewed indefinitely as long as the applicant continues to meet the required criteria and resides six months a year in Russia.

How it works:

• Collect and provide documentation to One World Migration so we can help create the file
• Make the investment
• One World Migration will obtain documentation from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to prove the status of investor
• Fly into Russia for 7-10 days to provide biometrics, medical checkup, application submission and language test
• After four months, collect the residency
• After five years of residing as a tax resident, apply for citizenship

Russian Shared Values Visa

For those who are in harmony with the Conventionally traditional values of Russia, the government recently announced Shared Values Visa, or in short SVV, is an interesting option.

It is expected to begin on September 1st, 2024, and aims for individuals who align with the Russian stance regarding the preservation and strengthening of traditional spiritual and moral values.

The primary advantages of SVV include:

• No quota system relevant for a temporary residence permit
• It'll be provided for only citizens of certain countries - the list is yet to be stated

Eligible Nationalities:

The SVV is especially appealing to those who value traditional family structures, high moral ideals, and a proper balance between spiritual pursuits and material ones.

It reflects Russia's attitude toward preserving cultural heritage and thus gives conservators a safe haven away from rapid social changes that may be at variance with what they consider dear in their home countries.

It thus follows through with a commitment to traditional values in making the supremacy of conventional family structures a cornerstone of its legislation, such as limiting LGBTQ+ expression in public.

This has won for itself the attention of those interested in a more conservative social atmosphere.

Visa programs underpin this openness towards allowing foreigners who can contribute economically or share in its cultural outlook into Russia.
It contains a rich historical heritage combined with modern economic opportunities. Investors and traditionalists alike may find Russia an attractive destination in which to relocate or expand.

As global mobility trends continue to change, Russia's newer visa offerings bring into the fold some interesting options with which to diversify a residency portfolio and find the right home that fits the values of an individual.

These programs are not just for easier entry for travelers into Russia, but also for long-term settlement and avenues for citizenship.

One World Migration can provide the expertise needed to navigate Russia's new visa landscape easily; contact us for more information.