Meet Timur Beslangurov

Our friend Timur Beslangurov, founder of VistaImmigration.ru (MovingtoRussia.ru) recently sat down with a German gentleman named Martin to discuss the topic of immigration to Russia. In a very crisp nine minutes these two men discuss: how Timur's been practicing migration law for over twenty years, and how much his practice has changed with Russia's new migration laws and the Shared Values Visa presidential decree of August 19, 2024. Timur mentions the well-known problems in Germany related to that unfortunate country cutting itself off from affordable Russian hydrocarbons and other vital materials with a gift of understatement. Timur adds that he does not speak French or German, but members of his team are fluent in these languages.

Some points Timur mentions during this conversation that we'll expand upon, in terms of what kind of professionals are in demand in the Russian Federation--please note these expanded thoughts are my words, not Timur's:

Agriculture/Agribusiness--Russia is the world's largest country but is ranked sixth in terms of land under cultivation. The Russian Federation has large tracts of unused/fallow land including in some of the most fertile 'black earth' soil regions of European Russia. These include Voronezh Oblast, Lipetsk Oblast, Belgorod Oblast, Tambov Oblast, Oryol Oblast and Kursk Oblast. To sum up: when God made a farmer, He clearly intended to plant some of his hand servants and maidservants in the rich chernyzom fields of Russia and Novorossiya as well. Russia due to the demographic devastations of the 20th century and post-Soviet emigration doesn't have enough people in this field. Foreigners--if they have the patience and work ethic to do so--can step into this gap and find rich opportunities.

Engineering--All types of engineers are in demand but especially biomedical engineering for the health sciences, petroleum engineers/geologists in Tatarstan and Siberian energy production, plus chemical engineers in Russia's vast petrochemical complex. Electrical and mechanical engineers are also in high demand for manufacturing as Russia responded to Western sanctions through insourcing and import substitution.

IT/IoT -- Russian software programmers and IT specialists are some of the best in the world. But there's plenty of room for foreign talent that can learn Russian and operate at a high level. Especially in the development of IoT, with Russia bordering the world's dominant factory floor of the electronics and robotics industries, China. Some English-speaking IT teams may take on a foreigner with limited Russian skills, but learning the language ultimately is a requirement to effectively work in this or almost every Russian industry.

Tourism/Hospitality--Timur alludes to this in passing as well, that due to travel restrictions to Europe and North America many Russians are rediscovering their own vast country. This has created opportunities for domestic tourism, but also international tourism, as Russia continues its geo-economic and psychological/spiritual pivot to the Asian East and Global South. Expect more Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern and African visitors to Russia. But the vast majority of these visitors from the BRICS+ nations are not coming to stay.

Post-SMO Russia is forbidden fruit to Westerners--so close to Europeans geographically, yet so far. Coming to Russia, let alone settling there, is a way of transgressing against the #worldwarwoke code. Moving to Russia is declaring independence from the Globalist American Empire, saying: I see a future, at least for myself and mine, here. In this place, which you call backward and dark, among the people you've demonized. Not in your bright, shiny Clownworld.

Noticeably not mentioned by Timur as a profession for newcomers to Russia in this brief recorded: athletes, as well as actors/actresses. Including of the voice acting/dubbing variety. Think also about video game coders and designers. Though perhaps not as prevalent as the need for white and black faces acting in China's much larger entertainment and games industry, such niche employment opportunities do exist for foreigners in Russia. Ask our buddy Tim Kirby or his former NYU film student friend who used to work in Hollywood, Joseph Rose about those topics. That said, if your name isn't Steven Seagal, it's best not to count on a long acting or martial arts icon career in Russia. As for sportsmen and women--if you wish to open a boxing or MMA gym, be advised the local competition is fierce.

Consultation on employment--Although there are no guarantees, Timur mentions that his agency VistaImmigration.ru does assist foreigners where possible in trying to find employment opportunities in Russia. Opportunities are abundant, but you have to put in the work and learn Russian.

Timur mentions that running an immigration business--even one focused on a very large country instead of several smaller countries--is among the most complex businesses today. There are logistics, taxes, customs for importing household goods or business equipment, immigration/migration service bureaucracy (OFMS in Russian), real estate (buying AND selling), looking for jobs and registering businesses for the clients--it's a lot of things. And as Timur understates again, "there is not one person who can cover all of those things." We could not agree more, Timur. It certainly takes a team.