MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russia has to build a transparent and clear system for the life and work of foreign specialists, taking into account the needs of all those arriving in the country, CEO of the Agency for Attracting Foreign Talent to Russia Irina Korotkova said.
Earlier, Korotkova said that since the launch of the Time to Live in Russia program, people from 97 countries had submitted 842 applications, with the first seven candidates from China, Jordan, Syria, Canada, Iran, Mexico and Spain already approved.
According to the CEO, interest in the program exceeded the organizers’ expectations. She noted that participants share Russia’s values and are willing to benefit the country.
“Over the past six months, we have observed that the mechanism [of the Time to Live in Russia program] really works and interest in the program has even exceeded our expectations. These are people that share our values and want to benefit our country. For this mechanism to work, we have to create a transparent and clear system for foreign specialists to live and work here. People should consider our country their home, a place where they can realize their potential and where their families will live. Scientists have certain needs, while representatives of creative professions or athletes have others. So each person needs a personalized approach,” the press service of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) quoted Korotkova as saying.
Support from day one
Once foreigners receive the special status, they can get a temporary residence permit outside the quota or immediately apply for a residence permit, bypassing the temporary residence stage. The processing of applications will be fast-tracked. The program also helps with relocation, finding a job and settling in Russia.
According to First Deputy Head of the Citizenship and Foreign Citizens Registration Service under the Russian Interior Ministry Konstantin Bukreyev, the ministry helps foreigners who have chosen to move to Russia, including under a decree that streamlines the procedure for obtaining temporary residence permits for those sharing traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. "The Interior Ministry also provides them with advisory and other assistance with paperwork on a priority basis, in a one-stop shop," Bukreyev said.
Program participants’ stories
One participant, Mexico’s Domingo Garcia Martinez Surita, has already been living in Moscow for several years. He worked for big international pharmaceutical companies and is now developing the business for the Russian pharmaceutical firm R-Pharm in Latin America.
"Russia is a wonderful country, it is very safe here. Traditional values resonate with me. I am a Christian, a rather conservative person and I like how Russia values family," he said.
Another participant, Jordanian bioinformatics scientist Tarek Faruni, returned to Russia after working at leading research centers abroad, including Harvard Medical School, McGill University and ETH Zurich. "Russia is a great country. I have lived here before and decided to return, I like Russian culture. My wife is Russian, my son speaks Russian and we want to raise him here," he said.
About program
The Time to Live in Russia program was launched in April 2026, following an initiative to streamline the relocation of foreigners who share traditional Russian values. It is run by the Agency for Attracting Foreign Talent to Russia, a subsidiary of the ASI.
Apart from this program, Russia also has a relocation mechanism under Presidential Decree No. 702, which streamlines the procedure of obtaining temporary residence permits for foreigners who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.