The key facts
- Canadian Yatin Karkhanis received a temporary residence permit in the Penza Region in September 2026
- His wife is from the Kolysleysky District; according to local media, the couple has been married for ten years
- Since the beginning of 2026, four people have received permits under the «values» program
Canadian chooses Penza Region to live with his Russian wife
Yatin Karkhanis, a Canadian citizen married to a Russian woman, has received a temporary residence permit in the Penza Region. The press service of the regional Interior Ministry directorate explained that the foreign national decided to tie his future to Russia because he shares traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. The document was ceremonially presented to him by staff of the regional Interior Ministry's migration department, who noted that it is «the first step toward obtaining Russian Federation citizenship».
Circumstances of the move
Karkhanis's wife was born in the Kolysleysky District of the Penza Region, and it was this region the couple chose for their life together. According to local media cited by Life.ru, the couple has been married for ten years. Before moving, the Canadian had already visited Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi; he says he likes the local people, nature and Russian cuisine.
Context of the program
The permit was issued in September 2026. Penza police clarified that since the beginning of 2026, four people have received temporary residence permits under the program supporting foreigners who share traditional Russian values; the conditions are set out in presidential decree No. 702 of August 19, 2024. Separately, Life.ru previously reported on a 25-year-old citizen of the Netherlands Dmitry Duyster, who moved to Russia to join his parents, who had already obtained similar documents, and plans to learn Russian, obtain a residence permit and later apply for a Russian passport.
