Russian President Vladimir Putin signed Decree No. 201 of April 1, 2025, "On the admission to citizenship of the Russian Federation of Old Believers participating in the State Program for Assistance to the voluntary resettlement to Russian federation compatriots living abroad"

According to the law, Old Believers are exempt from exams in Russian language and history to obtain Russian citizenship.

The decree enshrines the important role of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church in the return of Old Believers to their homeland. This is a recognition that foreign communities have preserved the ancient Russian language and traditions.

However, the benefit is valid only if Old Believers participating in the state program resettle in the Far Eastern Federal District - other regions do not fall under the decree.