The State Council Commission on Human Resources and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects (ASI) held a joint offsite meeting in Kaluga, Creating Conditions for Foreigners’ Integration in Russia: Social, Cultural and Economic Mechanisms.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Presidential directorates for the State Council formation and activities and for science and education policy, representatives of the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Rosatom State Corporation, as well as representatives from over 20 Russian regions.
In his opening remarks, Chair of the State Council Commission on Human Resources, Kaluga Region Governor Vladislav Shapsha stated that the number of people around the world who share Russia’s traditional spiritual and cultural values is growing. Many citizens of Western countries are seriously considering the possibility of moving to Russia and applying for Russian citizenship. They can do this under Executive Order No. 702, which the President of Russia signed in August 2024.
“The relocation of foreigners is not only an issue of migration policy. It is a huge resource for the economic development of our country and a means to strengthen human capital, which is one of the goals set out by the President in the new national projects. Coordinated efforts of all concerned parties – federal departments, businesses and regional authorities – will help us attract top professionals who share our values to Russia and are much in demand in our territories,” the Commission chair pointed out.
ASI Director General Svetlana Chupsheva reported on the operation of the headquarters set up by the ASI under the leadership of the Interior Ministry to support the relocation and adaptation of foreign citizens in Russia.
“The headquarters is creating a support system which foreigners can use to find the information they need, receive adaptation support, and learn about the opportunities for self-realisation in Russia. It has approved regional standards for the social, cultural and economic adaptation of impatriates. We have drafted a concept for helping impatriates settle in our country and mechanisms for working with them, as well as a relevant law,” Svetlana Chupsheva stated.
Head of the Main Directorate for Migration at the Interior Ministry Valentina Kazakova emphasised the importance of providing all-round support for the relocation of compatriots and foreigners who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values to Russia for permanent residence.
“Over 2,600 repatriates have relocated to Russia since 2024 as a new category of participants in the State Programme to Assist the Voluntary Resettlement of Compatriots Living Abroad. In accordance with Executive Order No. 702, Interior Ministry departments have accepted 1,100 applications for temporary residence permits from such people. The majority of them are citizens of EU countries, the United States and Canada,” Valentina Kazakova stated.
State Duma deputy and member of the State Council Commission on Human Resources Maria Butina spoke about the importance of creating a comprehensive approach to interacting with potential resettlers from countries outside the former Soviet Union and supporting them after their relocation to Russia.
After the plenary session, Head of the ASI Young Professionals division Alexander Vaino chaired a strategic session to discuss regional solutions for creating conditions for the integration of foreigners, including talented students, scientists, highly sought-after professionals, businesspeople, investors, and members of the creative class who share Russian spiritual and moral values and wish to move to Russia for permanent residence.
This discussion will serve as the basis for the subsequent improvement of the legislative, organisational and information instruments for the integration of immigrants.