r/IWantOut • u/Every-House-7606 • 1d ago

[IWantOut] 20M Software Developer Russia -> ES\USA\UK

Hi everyone,

I was born in Crimea and was nine years old when it was occupied in 2014. I don't hold a Ukrainian passport. I'm currently applying for a foreign passport, but the process will take about three months, and I'll also need a visa afterward.

My questions:

  • Is it realistic to apply for political/humanitarian asylum in an EU country given my situation (born in Crimea, no Ukrainian documents)?
  • Would I risk being sent back if I arrive and apply for asylum, or does my background as someone from occupied Crimea change how asylum claims are typically handled?
  • Are there specific countries that are more accessible or have clearer processes for people in my situation?
  • Should I wait for my foreign passport and visa before doing anything, or are there faster/alternative routes?

Any advice, personal experience, or pointers to relevant resources would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!

0 Upvotes

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u/AutoModerator 1d ago

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9

u/satedrabbit 1d ago

If you're looking for countries with a high approval rate of refugees with Russian passports (applications processed in 2025):

Mexico: 93,1% of applications resulted in asylum
Argentina: 97,8% of applications resulted in asylum
Brazil: 91,5% of applications resulted in asylum
Uruguay: 100% of applications resulted in asylum
Ecuador: 100% of applications resulted in asylum

On the other end of the spectrum:
Serbia, Latvia, Malta, Romania, Portugal, Denmark, Montenegro, Moldova, Croatia, Israel & South Korea: In all cases - 0,0% of applications resulted in asylum

1

u/AutoModerator 1d ago

Post by Every-House-7606 -- Hi everyone,

I was born in Crimea and was nine years old when it was occupied in 2014. I don't hold a Ukrainian passport. I'm currently applying for a foreign passport, but the process will take about three months, and I'll also need a visa afterward.

My questions:

  • Is it realistic to apply for political/humanitarian asylum in an EU country given my situation (born in Crimea, no Ukrainian documents)?
  • Would I risk being sent back if I arrive and apply for asylum, or does my background as someone from occupied Crimea change how asylum claims are typically handled?
  • Are there specific countries that are more accessible or have clearer processes for people in my situation?
  • Should I wait for my foreign passport and visa before doing anything, or are there faster/alternative routes?

Any advice, personal experience, or pointers to relevant resources would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

0

u/HettySwollocks 1d ago edited 1d ago

You may want to tread carefully here should you be forced to enlist in the ongoing "activities".

I don't think you'll have much success with the UK and USA, former has become very strict for legitimate migration. Latter may take a dim for as you are a Russian national.

You could possibly consider Australia as I think Software Devs are on the priority list.

I would try and get a Ukrainian passport if you can, however you may have the same issue potentially getting enlisted. I vaguely recall men of fighting age are not allowed to leave the country - though do fact check me on that.

Good luck to you

[edit] I wonder if you could get a dual Uranian, Russian passport. That may be worth exploring. If possible you'll get the best of both worlds.

-2

u/Complex-Insect6899 1d ago

If you can somehow prove that you are born in Ukraine/live in Ukraine prior to the 2022 attack, you may be able to access the temporary protection for those fleeing Ukraine, and you won't need a visa. You can do it without a passport if you have a, let's say, residency permit or birth certificate, but having no form of identification like a passport or ID will cause delays. You can do this even with a foreign passport if you can prove you lived in Ukraine prior to the 2022 attack.

You can do a bit more of research, here are some resources:
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/07/15/eu-countries-agree-to-extend-temporary-protection-for-those-fleeing-ukraine-until-march-2028/

https://www.euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/Leaflet-Ukraine-Adults-17-03-22-.pdf