Hello, I’m Keri, a Canadian living in Southern Ontario.
I do not like the direction of this country, and wish to leave (why here.)
But, as a Canadian with only 1 passport, options are limited, difficult and expensive.
Until August 19, 2024
Russia introduces the all-new
‘Shared Values Visa’
- Decree #702
- August 19, 2024
- September 17th, list of eligible countries announced
- ‘Shared Values Visa’
Above are the search terms.
Below are the official documents.
Lastly, 2 links: articles about the SVV on RT, and TASS
I believe this SVV is currently the best exit option,
for those of us Canadians, with only one passport.
Soon, I will test my theory > September 2025 in Moscow
Ticket is booked & PR papers await
How This All Started
March 2022 – I begin learning Russian to escape reality in Canada. This is right after the crushing of the convoy, which I took hard.
Can’t think of anything else,
when conjugating verbs
Needed something for my mind, other than watching my country burn.
Telegram was lit, put Yandex on my phone, and below is the first meme I ever translated lol took me two weeks.
So, in August 2024, when out of nowhere Russia announces their all-new Visa, 2.5 years of study helps me know exactly what I am looking at – подорк, a gift.
This is why I’m full steam ahead on the SVV.
Know how many Visas were issued annually in Russia, before this? About 10,000/year, all gone within weeks to like, diplomats and oil executives.
Then poof, the SVV appears… wait, WHAT?! Nobody-me could move there. Really, Дествительна.
“Why Russia?” in 60 seconds
VIDEO GOES HERE – Why Russia in 60 Seconds
Itinerary – September in Moscow
Below is my loose plan.
I am travelling alone, no tour group, I don’t know anyone there, and have nothing booked.
One backpack with laptop, one carryon suitcase. A moderately priced hotel in non-central Moscow, and ~5 days in St. Petersburg.
My intention is to keep my same routine here, there:
> 8am workout, computer, dinner’s at 2pm, nap, adventure, 7 o’clock park walk, 930 tea and cookies.
FOCUS of trip – Can I live here?
What does that look like?
Certainly the landmarks will be breathtaking, but I won’t live in the museum. On the itinerary, I don’t see my first ‘classic Russian landmark’ until day 5 lol.
See the list on the right – how do I eat, bank, and internet; what do apartments look like; energy in the air; can I overcome the language barrier; pharmacy, and how about an optometrist, because I can’t see the beauty without glasses.
PLUS: wander potential neighbourhoods, play pool, find Third Spaces to blog in, and attend at least two symphonies.
The Application Process
This is all new to me, everything is a first – obtaining a Visa, this distance of travel, apostilling documents.
Am documenting the process, and cost here.
Briefly – the all-new Shared Values Visa
> apply within Russia
> return home
> 4 months processing time
> prove $4,000 USD to cover 1-yr living expenses in Moscow
> accepted
> have 6 months to move, and begin living in Russia
> for 6 non-consecutive months, per year
(ADD to process page – process and technicalities – how, cost, requirements, laws, criminal checks, what is appostile, Decree #702, prove 1 year, language test, medical,)
Important Note – no way I can do this on my own.
I am working with a Russian company, Move To Russia – an agency specializing in facilitating residency permits through the ‘Golden Visa’ And ‘Shared Values Visa’ programs.
Found them on Twitter last summer, 10/10 recommend. Here’s their page about the SVV, and read their reply to the RBC-Eve drama LINK; good one eh, they get it.
Web – MoveToRussia.com
X – @MoveToRussia
Всё пост в Русский язык
Here’s the link LINK for all posts in Russian.
Here is the link for all posts in Russian IN RUSSIAN
English – it only looks cool, because you’re not used to seeing Russian; to a native, it’s a toddler stuttering, Мне плачу слишком налог / I pay too much tax.
Russian -translate Russian friends hello! I love your country, language, and approach to life. I am very excited to visit soon. I know my endings are bad sorry, and I forgot to learn the gender of all words. I use green tape on things to learn, make lists, and sometimes I try to write jokes LINK. Please, always correct my Russian! Ok have a great day 😊
PHOTO COLLAGE – my writing and posts in Russian screenshots.
Internationalizing Myself
I want choice. That’s what this all comes down to.
More than one passport = can’t get trapped.
Not sure how to Internationalize Myself, slowly figuring it out. Will need to adjust my entire style of living, to a more mobile, flexible one.
I recently moved in effort of this goal. I can now outfit a one bedroom apartment, which fits into a 10×5 storage unit, that I can fully transport myself, using my own vehicle 😎
Russia is ‘Opposite Land’
I do not believe what we’re told. I think I will find a high-functioning society and citizens. An orderly, hopeful, clean and safe place, with an industrious, invigorating energy in the air. The type of place one could thrive.
Here’s some blog tags: start with this one – Comparing Countries LINK ,
list more tags. jobs, housing, taxes, GMO food illegal, savings accounts paying 20%, fastest growing GDP, income tax ~15%, centre of BRICS, housing abundant and jobs too (especially in IT,) and a low cost of living with a high standard of living in a high-trust, Christian society.
Thank you for reading this far!
Blog here daily, here’s the tag to the meme section, and find me fastest on X @TheRussiaBlog say hi скажет привет 🙂
Can’t wait till Moscow!
And truly guys, Russia – the world is sleeping on this offer of the century.
Keri
August 2025
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