Russia Offers “Anti-Woke” Visas to Attract Traditional Values Seekers
Russia has granted 1,112 visas in 2025 under its "anti-woke" program targeting foreigners seeking refuge from Western liberal values, with Germany, France, and the United States leading applicants.
According to Valeurs Actuelles, exactly 1,112 visas were granted in 2025 under a program specifically designed for foreigners who embrace Russian traditional values. The figures were released this Wednesday by state news agency RIA Novosti through Alexei Klimov, director of the consular department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
The visa program, launched in 2024 and dubbed the “anti-woke visa” by several Western media outlets, targets citizens from countries Russia considers bearers of destructive neoliberal ideological orientations that contradict the spiritual and moral values Moscow claims to uphold. The initiative specifically appeals to foreigners who oppose their own country’s political stance toward Russia.
Citizens from European nations as well as the United States, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore are eligible for the program. The visa permits entry into Russia and allows stays of up to three months, after which holders may apply for residency permits.
Germany Leads Applicant Nations
Klimov revealed that Germany tops the list of countries whose citizens received these visas in 2025, with 168 approvals. France followed with 140 visas, while the United States came third with 105. Italy, Latvia, Canada, Lithuania, and Australia also appeared among the nations represented, though specific numbers for these countries were not disclosed.
The program enjoys explicit support from the highest levels of Russian government. In early June, Vladimir Putin praised the initiative during a state awards ceremony, condemning what he characterized as attempts in certain countries to abolish traditional family values. The Russian president welcomed those facing such pressure to come live, work, and raise their children in Russia.
Ideological Battleground
Through this initiative, Moscow is deepening the ideological divide with the West, which it accuses of promoting what it considers decadent values. This rhetoric aligns with domestic policies that have intensified repression against sexual minorities. In late 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court banned the international LGBT movement, designating it as an extremist organization.
The visa program represents a calculated effort by the Kremlin to position Russia as a sanctuary for those fleeing progressive social policies in Western nations. By framing itself as a defender of traditional family structures and conventional moral values, Moscow is attempting to attract Western citizens disillusioned with the cultural direction of their home countries.
With information from Valeurs Actuelles
