They quit the West for Russia's traditional values, but it wasn't what they expected

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: They quit the West for Russia's traditional values, but it wasn't what they expectedImage source, Ben/ BBCImage caption, Ben, from Derby, moved to Russia in 2023 on a private family visa and says he feels safer living thereByDan HardoonBBC World ServicePublished1 hour agoWhen Leo Hare moved to Russia from Texas in late 2023, after being granted asylum, he was convinced he was building a better future for his family. The father of three threw himself into his new life: sampling dumplings , milking goats on a farm and filming videos about life in Russia for his online followers. Leo is a devout Christian who had become increasingly disillusioned with everything from political division in the US, to genetically modified food and what he sees as the rise of the LGBTQ movement.

At the time, he believed Russia offered an attractive alternative: a society built on Christian faith and family values – a view heavily promoted by the Russian state. But over time he has also become increasingly concerned about elements such as restrictions on access to information. He is part of an unlikely migration.

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As Russia faces international isolation, a few thousand people from countries including Canada, Britain, the United States and parts of Europe are choosing to move there. Their view of Russia differs sharply from the one many in the West might be familiar with: a country that invaded Ukraine and occupies large parts of it, jails political opponents, places heavy restrictions on civil liberties and faces a raft of international sanctions. The Russian dreamIt is an unlikely migration trend - Westerners swapping life in Texas or London for Moscow or Nizhny Novgorod.

Listen on SoundsMany of the would-be migrants are attracted by Russia's Shared Values visa, sometimes called the "anti-woke" visa, which was introduced a month after Leo was granted asylum. Introduced by President Vladimir Putin in 2024, the visa offers temporary residency for up to three years to citizens of 47 countries Russia considers "unfriendly". There is no limit to the number of people who can apply and applicants do not need to pass the usual Russian language, history or law tests.

Instead, they must declare that they share Russia's traditional spiritual and moral values and reject what the Russian government describes as the "destructive neoliberal ideology" of their home countries. After three years, those on the Shared Values visa must either convert it into a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) or leave the country. The PRP requires people to sit a language and history exam and more thorough documentation.

Unlike some immigration programmes, the Shared Values visa does not come with housing or financial assistance from the Russian government. Applicants must pay an administrative fee of 1,600 roubles (£17 or $22) and pass medical and criminal records checks.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.