Canadian Who Moved His Family To Russia For ‘Traditional Values’ Says He No Longer Recommends It: Permanent Residency Would Require Signing A Defense Ministry Contract

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Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved his family of 10 to Russia under a program promoting “traditional values,” says he no longer recommends the move. He said he was told that obtaining permanent residency would require him to sign a Defense Ministry contract, though he expects to be able to reapply for temporary residency without one.

Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved his wife and eight children to Russia under a program for foreigners who share the country’s stated “traditional values,” says he no longer recommends moving there. Feenstra said he learned that obtaining permanent residency would require him to sign a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry, a condition he said he did not move to Russia to meet.

Feenstra received a three-year temporary residence permit in the Nizhny Novgorod region in early 2025, then brought his family to Russia and began farming. The Russian news outlet Nizhny Novgorod Onlain drew attention to his account in a YouTube video, according to Meduza, which reported the development on October 2.

In the video, Feenstra said his family had become attached to the area but that he had eight young children and a farm to care for. He said he understood why authorities wanted foreign residents to sign a contract, but did not want to do so. He added that he would rather take his chances in Canada than sign one, while also describing life there as risky.

Feenstra said he expects to be able to apply for temporary residence again when his current permit expires, without signing a Defense Ministry contract. He said his family no longer recommends Russia to other foreigners because, in his view, authorities keep changing the rules and “there’s no way forward.”

A Residency Route With New Conditions

The case highlights a gap between the simplified entry route offered by Russia’s “traditional values” program and the conditions some foreign residents face when seeking to stay permanently. Feenstra’s experience suggests that an initial temporary permit does not necessarily provide a clear route to permanent status for men covered by the contract rule.

For prospective migrants, that distinction can affect decisions about moving with children, setting up a business, and planning for long-term residence. Feenstra’s account is one person’s experience; it does not establish how often applicants encounter the requirement or how officials handle every case. But his change in advice shows how residency rules can shape the practical appeal of a program marketed to foreign nationals.

The Program and Contract Rule

Russia launched the program in August 2024 to encourage citizens of countries it designates “unfriendly” to move there if they share what the government calls “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” Participants can apply for temporary residence through a simplified process that, among other provisions, does not require Russian-language exams.

That streamlined process does not exempt participants from later requirements. Since November 2025, foreign men aged 18 to 65 who are considered fit for military service have been required to sign a contract with the Defense Ministry to obtain permanent residency, according to Meduza. The report says the rule also applies to people who entered Russia through the values-based program.

““I didn’t come here to sign a contract.””

— Arend Feenstra, in a YouTube video cited by Meduza

Feenstra’s Long-Term Residency Options

It is not clear from the report whether Feenstra has formally applied for permanent residency, received a written decision, or been given details about the contract requirement by officials. His account of being able to reapply for temporary residence is his own expectation; the report does not describe an official ruling on his future applications.

The report also does not say whether Feenstra plans to leave Russia, remain under temporary permits, or pursue another legal route. His criticism concerns his family’s experience and recommendation to other foreigners; it does not provide broader data on how many program participants are affected.

Permit Expiry and Possible Reapplication

Feenstra says he can seek another temporary residence permit when his current one expires without signing a Defense Ministry contract. Whether he will do so, and whether authorities will approve a new application, has not been reported. The next clear milestone is the expiry of his current permit and any decision he makes about his family’s future in Russia.

Further information from Feenstra or Russian authorities could clarify how the contract condition is applied to his case. Until then, the available reporting confirms his account and the rule’s stated scope, but not the outcome of a future application.

Key Questions

Why did Arend Feenstra move to Russia?

Feenstra moved with his wife and eight children through a Russian program for foreigners from countries deemed “unfriendly” who share the government’s stated traditional values. He received a temporary residence permit in early 2025 and began farming.

Why does Feenstra say he cannot get permanent residency?

He said he learned that a Defense Ministry contract is required for permanent residency. Since November 2025, the requirement has applied to foreign men aged 18 to 65 considered fit for military service, including participants in the values-based program, according to Meduza.

Does Feenstra plan to leave Russia?

The report does not say that he has decided to leave. Feenstra said he would rather take his chances in Canada than sign a contract, and expects he may be able to apply for temporary residence again when his current permit expires.

Does the contract rule apply to everyone in the program?

Meduza reports that the rule covers foreign men aged 18 to 65 who are deemed fit for military service and seek permanent residency. The report does not establish how many program participants fall within that group or how individual applications are assessed.

Source: rss