66 Comments

Suggest they set up immigration centers asap in Moscow and St Petersburg and possibly Vladivostok for the future flood of western refugees per the prophecies. Like Ellis Island of the early 1900s.

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Setting up immigration centers for Western citizens is a very smart thing because many Westerners simply lack information and do not where to start and what to expect. They should be helped. Similar information point were used in the late 80s for the Soviet citizens wanting to immigrate to Israel.

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Father Gleason; I also had an idea that cruise and shipping lines based out of Russia (preferably owned by Russian government) could act as offshore banks for migrants and facilitate getting oneself and one's belongings to Russia. These immigrant cruise/shipping lines might be based out of Vladivostok and other Russian port cities. A Russian- friendly third party country could facilitate atransfer from one cruise/shipping line to the Russian one thereby providing a work around to current sanctions. A Russian- controlled offshore bank could facilitate getting U.S. retirement income such as social security from the States to a Russian bank with conversion into rubles. Let's put the Russian cruise and shipping lines to work (!!)

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This is a great idea

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A path for retiree who have a certain income to live in Russia. After all we can bring income and NOT take jobs from native Russian! Lots of nationa have a path for people to retire in their country.

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This is what we could do, but I do worry on the Sanctions. Just the act of moving to Russia could maybe potentially target our western businesses where we depend on income. Already westerners in Russia who have western income have had access to their money cut off as part of the sanctions against Russia. While there are ways to transfer money, I still don't trust the west will do the right thing and rather may target us and seize what is ours just cause we make the move. Either way, making the move would be worth it, so we need to be prepared that the west may cause us to lose all we have in assets and income.

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I guess the first request is remove all vax requirements

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There are no vax requirements.

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Glad to hear. I heard different in the past. Maybe old or incorrect info

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You look really good Father Joseph, it seems Russia has been good for you and your family. You are the best Ad there is. You look so healthy, bravo to you for making the hard choices, being the pioneer. 🙏❤️

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Two things seem to be important: money tranfer and luggage. Of course, both actions are difficult right now because usual bank tranfers and logistics has been made (nearly) impossible. Yet, there is and must be a way through third countries. The most important thing that their should be no problems nor additional costs for potential immigrants to bring their money and/ or belongings into Russia.

Many people would need to transfer money (either savings and/or proceeds from having sold their properties) to start a new life from scratch. This should be possible without any taxes. It is also desirable and helpful to have an opportunity to take their belongings, whatever they choose to take along, with them. Sending a sea container or by any other means of transportation would be good. This should be possible without paying custom duties, let's say only once for a family or per person. Of course, one can buy almost anything in Russia but some stuff can have emotional and practical value not to mention that buying everything requires even more money.

By the way, sending luggage was possible even in the Soviet times for those who were immigrating from the Soviet Union. So I think it is reasonable to ask fo it now.

Also it may be useful to work out some special conditions for groups of people, for instance, several families who wish to come as group.

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Enact a similar style law to that of Israel's Law of Return, which would give people with Russian ancestry (1 or more grandparents), Cossack ancestry and those that identify with the Russian Orthodox faith (old and new believer) and their spouse the right to relocate to Russia and acquire Russian citizenship in a simplified manner.

Expand on the Native Russian Speakers law to prioritise or cast the net wider to include those who are active Russian Orthodox parishioners or converts and have an affinity with the culture, language and people of the Russian Federation.

- Abolish the 3 - 5 year residency/living in Russia rule

- Ability to receive this overseas

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"Enact a similar style law to that of Israel's Law of Return, which would give people with Russian ancestry (1 or more grandparents), Cossack ancestry and those that identify with the Russian Orthodox faith (old and new believer) and their spouse the right to relocate to Russia and acquire Russian citizenship in a simplified manner."

^^^^^ THIS

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This is very important. My ex, Andre K. tried for years to return to Russia... He was born in Vishney Volochok, and grew up in Leningrad. His family still living there.. (Even writing to Zhirinovsky for help) - But all of his efforts have come to naught. Andre came to the US in 1993 to escape from Latvia - where he was living at the time; to find work to feed his starving family. (You probably know after they won their independence from the Soviet Union - Latvia began an intense persecution of Russians in their midst - (not unlike Ukraine). Though he became a US citizen, he has since tried to return to Russia - but having a Soviet passport has not helped him to return. We all wish to go. How do we apply? We are artists and teachers - we have a lot to offer! Victoria

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Actually, there is a similar process in place. However, it is still on its initial “infant” stages.

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They have what they call "The Program" which helps those with Russian Ancestry (even as far back as imperial Russia) to migrate back. There are limitations where to move though but one can get up to around a hectare of land also and much of the costs are covered or returned for the relocation.

https://мвд.рф/mvd/structure1/Glavnie_upravlenija/guvm/compatriots

This one is an official Russian gov website, and provides the information and process for The Program. It has increasingly got harder to even open the website in the west, and using vpns to bypass I still have issues. Seems the west really want to stop people leaving for Russia. You can view the site by inputting the address into yandex translator.

One of the major requirements is to be fluent in Russian. For us this disqualifies us even though my wife has Russian Ancestry (which we have document evidence for) and her family fled Russia during its turmoil similar to the current stage of the US. And while we are all learning Russian, and our children attend a Russian school and we have been told they have "no accent" meaning they sound native Russian, my wife is limited in language. We are learning a lot but still the level would not qualify us for the Program which is unfortunate.

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Thank you for the link.. I was looking for this! Tell your wife, Russian is not difficult to learn. and it is a beautiful language!

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There is a newer program for “potomki” that is just getting started. It is different than the resettlement program that you mentioned. It is still in its “infant stages,” but some people have already obtained citizenship this way. The international situation is affecting RF policies in this respect positively.

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Hi John Aleshin, thanks for your reply comment.

Really!? That sounds like great news! I've been regularly checking law changes for whatever I can to see if anything changes that may allow us to more easily go. In the meantime working hard on learning the language, as well as preparing documents and other things for such a move but am more than willing to make such a move. Just the gathering of documents and getting translated has been expensive and complex with a large family and has already raised some questions. It's very complex and honestly somewhat intimidating when trying to carefully move our family to safety. Every few years 'The Program' would have a slight change, then I'd see other reports for westerners to go to Russia and their success stories with different varying stories about these programs for families fleeing to Russia. I worry that the net is closing in and our family will be a target as we've already experienced, especially as we are a larger family which already draws attention. I've known for many years persecution was coming to the west. I warned others and no one listened, and now I think we're here and it will likely intensify as it does throughout history.

John, do you know what this newer program is for "Потомки" (Descendants) and how I may be able to find information on this program? Thanks.

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It’s not published at all, to my knowledge.

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I am in no position at the moment but you all are paving the way for me in the future. Thank you for extending the bridge of support. I support & love with all my heart the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob & HIS Son Jesus, source code, the Bible. Not only is HE always in control, but blesses you.

Sandy Rinaldi, Arkansas, US Army veteran 1971 to 1974, today 24 DEC 22

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Father Gleason; I just want to emphasize that a lot of Americans who want to move to Russia feel passionately positive about Putin and how Russia will bring "hope to the world" in the future. We are absolutely sickened by the depth of corruption in the U.S., and I, for one, would like to contribute to the SMO and Russia gearing up her military supply side. A lot of us hopeful migrants see what Russia is doing as a war against evil and we want to actively support Russia in this battle. Living in Russia and helping in her defense industries comes from a spiritual and emotional place; a place of the soul, I believe, for most of the people who wish to emigrate to the Russian Federation. Also, the Ringing Cedars of Russia movement is growing in the USA. Perhaps a kins domain Village concept for western migrants would be possible (???) It's about a lot more than just "homesteading". I think you could safely say that American expats are passionately patriotic about Russia. If I were an immigration official, I would offer a kins domain community opportunity to migrants, and locate those free hectare programs close to cities where labor is needed for Russia's defense industry or energy industries. Please tell your immigration officials you are meeting with to harness this passion we feel for Russia and put it to work for for Russia's advantage. A side note: most of the people applying for Russian citizenship from the States are highly educated and well aware of the heartbreaking demise of the American government. We could be great eyes and ears for Russia in detecting the kind of influences which have ruined our country. We suffer no illusions about the sheer evil infesting the United States. We could spot that evil attempting to infiltrate Russian society because we are wise to it, and have probably encountered it in our professional careers. Put us to work Russia (!!!)

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It's good that you have pointed out that the people interested in moving to Russia are highly educated. It stands to reason. So, yes.. we bring much... k столу.

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Amen

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1) Nix the requirement to take a PCR test. COVID has been everywhere and every single person on this planet has been exposed to it and either a) did not get sick, or b) actually had it, meaning immunity either way. The test is worthless and also dangerous for one's health.

2) Allow (at least to faithful Orthodox) automatic temporary residency so we don't have to navigate that labyrinth of "getting quota" without meaningful language ability, and we also therefore would not have to live with the stress of thinking that we have to get through the quota process in order to relax and start living life in Russia.

3) Allow us a year or two with some assistance to go into full-time language and history learning and then feel free to test us at the end.

4) Create a way with other countries for us to establish an account online to which we can deposit our funds that will be accessible in Russia. None of us can come without money. I for one do not trust crypto and if my money evaporated in a crypto collapse, I would literally be destitute. Our "people" back in the US will not be able to assist us in any way financially since they can't transfer money to us for any emergency, and some of us do not have families that are financially able to do so even if they were willing to do so.

5) Allow us to work remote for American companies that can pay us via the account mentioned above as it will be impossible to find work until we are fluent in Russian. This is good for the Russian economy bc a US salary will allow far higher buying power in the Russian economy and we will indeed be glad to buy in Russia.

More to come, but I have to take my son to work, :-)

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4) Create a way with other countries for us to establish an account online to which we can deposit our funds that will be accessible in Russia. None of us can come without money. I for one do not trust crypto and if my money evaporated in a crypto collapse, I would literally be destitute. Our "people" back in the US will not be able to assist us in any way financially since they can't transfer money to us for any emergency, and some of us do not have families that are financially able to do so even if they were willing to do so.

^^^Yes this is very important. There needs to be a way to transfer large amounts of money when we move there.

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This is a really good idea. I have looked at opening an account in Armenia, which can be funded in USD and then drawn out in RUB (with a % loss in the transfer), but the insured amounts are very low. The CDs offer pretty good rates and it is possible to open accounts from abroad, but I would rather something better like what you're describing here. This idea here could be purposely set up for immigration, with some kind of assurance that the money is protected. The argument for your scenario (over say, the Armenia scheme), is that the Russians would know that the money would eventually end up in Russia, rather than simply residing in a foreign bank for an undetermined amount of time. And, since there could be a lot of interest in this, there could be some level of motivation on their side to set it up.

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WIth Armenia supporting the ICC arrest order things could change in that country as far as relations with Russia are concerned. This is an unfortunate development. I had been looking recently at residency there. (And, apparently, there is one ROC in Yerevan.)

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Accept any visa into the country and then allow for immediate application for residency.

Also allow change to student or other visa within country while waiting for residency Or make a 3 year immigration visa one can change to upon entry with any other visa that gives same privileges of student and humanitarian visa combined to allow admission to schools for Russian language courses for those not seeking other college programs and regular college programs for those who are as well as allow for easier travel to see prospective places around Russia for settling down at.

Also need some help with money transfers and banking around sanctions.

Also open doors for financing homes and autos for those who don’t have the money to pay in full upon arrival.

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Partnerships with BRICS and other nations so a visa there will be valid in Russia. The EU passport system is an example. That could create an option to stay short term in South America/Africa allies while planning the nuts and bolts of the movie to Russia (like acquiring real estate, getting money converted and transferred).

Assistance with divesting US assets and transferring it (crypto, silver, etc).

Perhaps the ability to use recommendations from ROCOR as character references or to streamline vetting. For example, ROCOR and the ROC can have remote meetings with Orthodox westerners looking to move and cover basic questions.

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It is also important to inform and attract potential professionals who would like to come, especially from Europe and the UK. Since energy costs have risen enourmously there many small businesses, for example bakers but also many others, will inevitably go broke. Those business owners who wish to continue can come to Russia since energy is abundant and rather cheap.

The gradual deindustrialization of Europe will alsoeventually lead to high unemployment and again many professionals, specialists may be willing to go to Russia.

The same is of course applicable to all other people from any other country but I just mention Europe because the price of energy and living there has become more of a problem than in other places.

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As usual great news from you...

Most helpful would be that its

1. easier to get visa...

It would give us opportunity to prepare well by giving us time

a. to come few time for a few months ahead of moving....

b. so as to find a place to live,

c. find out whats needed to settle in Russia... and

d. practise speaking/understanding Russian...

Thanks for the opportunity to come up with this

best regards

Bente Petersen

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Is it true that Apostilles expire after a timeframe? Birth certificates, marriage licenses and college transcripts/diplomas are not bananas that rot or milk that expires. Please ask them to accept Apostilles without expiration. They are hard enough to get in a friendly America. With an ever increasing hostile America, obtaining new Apostilles could be a problem. Ask for no expiration on Apostilles please.

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Apostilles themselves don’t expire. However, currently the home country background check (such as the FBI criminal records check) does expire after 90 days.

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This is a huge obstacle; just requesting an Apostille requires you to declare which country you will use the document in.

See the problem with that when declaring Russia for a criminal record?

Request a record, get Apostille and declare For Use in Russia, and though one may not have a criminal record, it likely would put many on the radar to be persecuted in the west.

Also many countries are not allowing mail in or out of Russia, so your Apostille Record cannot be mailed to you if in Russia, so you increase the risk of being persecuted by being within your own country while doing the Apostille on the record.

Be good to get the record, and have a certified translation (without an Apostille) qualify for the record and the record being valid indefinitely if the date period covers the last day you were residing in that western country. Example; your FBI check is for period Apr 1980 to Jan 2023 and you left the US Jan 2023. If you leave Feb 2023 then you'd need to redo after 3 months for be valid to be used in Russia.

I have seen what the west has done to Russians and anyone who doesn't tow the line of the west's woke agenda, and don't trust they will be kind to those who make such requests for an Apostille to be used in Russia publicly known.

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Ok. I originally thought the Apostilles were solid but saw a post somewhere in an expat group that they expired. Whew. That is good to know. Got mine last year before the SMO began. Thx for fyi.

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One still needs to have the background check Apostilled.

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The background check will expire by the time the Apostille arrives. Lol. I’m sure they will agree to extend background check timeframes. Especially as tension with west increases.

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Yes, the document-Apostille time window is one of the most difficult and frustrating problems. I am not so sure it will be re-adjusted, but it would sure make sense if they took steps to alleviate the obvious holes in their present day policies concerning this issue.

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Additional thought: for those who don’t have any kind of visa yet, allow 30 day no visa entry like Belarus does and allow for application in Russia for “immigration visa”.

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