Russians are flocking to apply for the “anti-woke visa”

©Artem Beliaikin via Unsplash

In 2025, Russia granted more than a thousand special visas to foreigners who say they identify with what Moscow calls “traditional values,” according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. The visa, often referred to in Western media as the “anti-woke visa,” is part of a broader Kremlin strategy to attract ideological allies.

According to Aleksey Klimov, director of the consular department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1,112 of these visas were issued last year. Most applications came from Germany, France, and the United States. The visa was introduced in 2024 and is intended for foreigners who oppose what Russia describes as “destructive neoliberal ideologies” in their home countries.

Holders of this visa are initially granted entry to Russia for three months, with the option to apply for a residence permit afterward. Notably, applicants are not required to demonstrate knowledge of the Russian language or culture, but they must explicitly distance themselves from the policies of their country of origin.

On social media, some newcomers are actively promoting themselves. For example, Australian YouTuber Russell is sharing his move to Russia with tens of thousands of followers. He sees the country as a place where he can better live out his values. Such stories fit into a broader online narrative of Western emigrants who portray Russia as a conservative alternative to their home countries.

According to research by the independent platform Important Stories, this narrative may be reinforced by Russian state media. For example, the international broadcaster RT is reportedly involved in funding videos in which migrants praise Russia and criticize the West. Within Russia itself, these stories receive extensive coverage in state media.

Experts therefore see the visa policy as more than just migration policy. According to Katharina Bluhm of the Freie Universität Berlin, it is primarily symbolic. On the one hand, the Kremlin wants to show its own population that Russia is attractive to people who are turning away from the West. On the other hand, it is an invitation to foreign conservatives to settle in Russia.

And there is certainly a practical factor at play as well. After all, Russia has been grappling with a declining population and a low birth rate for years. The war in Ukraine has further exacerbated that problem due to massive losses on the front lines and the emigration of young Russians.

©Artem Beliaikin via Unsplash