
**We are looking for following volunteers!**

---

## ℹ️ Information gathering

This person should monitor the current legal situation (both in the EU and Czech republic) and provide updates - the last and the most accurate legal information. 

Providing links (or other “rough content”) would be enough - the content creator can edit it to fit the needs of the website.

- ✅ ideal for lawyers or people skilled in emmigration policy

## ✏️ Content creator

This person will transform the information to content published on the website - either as an edit of the info section ([https://www.safeineu.cz/info](https://www.safeineu.cz/info)) or as an article ([https://www.safeineu.cz/news](https://www.safeineu.cz/news)). 

## 🔍 Fact checker

We would send this person all the content to be published to verify, if everything is correct.

This is especially needed, as nobody from the core team has any experience with law, visas or asylum requests.

- ✅ ideal for lawyers or people skilled in emmigration policy

## 🌐 Translator

The information gathered might be in Czech, English or Russian. All of the info should be published in English and Russian on the website.

## ☎️ Volunteers

At times we will have tasks that do not require a specific skill set, just some free time and being eager to help. Those tasks could be such as:
- to manage the digital community
- to call an office/institution/embassy and ask them a pre-prepared list of questions
- be a point of contact to people in need

---

If you're interested in any of those, please let us know at [safeineu@gmail.com](mailto:safeineu@gmail.com).


How can I help?


First you need to get to EU country. One can not request an asylum (or international protection) outside of the territory of that country.

## What if I am detained?

Contact [OVD-info](https://ovdinfo.org/)

Hot line [8 800 707–05–28](tel:88007070528)

## What documents do I need to leave Russia?

- Internal passport if travelling to some countries (see the list below)
- International passport if travelling to the rest of the countries
- Some type of Visa to be let to into a Schengen territory if travelling to Europe

## What if I don't have an international passport?

Without the passport you can get only to Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the South Osetia

### How to get an international passport in Russia?

You can request the services of an agency: [www.o-z-p.ru](https://www.o-z-p.ru/) The agency claims that it can grant a passport in 3 days for 42 000 ₽ (in Moscow). We have not verified this.

You can request the international passport with russian authorities: [https://pasporta.org/zagranpasport/zagranpasport-cherez-mfc](https://pasporta.org/zagranpasport/zagranpasport-cherez-mfc)

The waiting period for the passport is (at least) 1 month.

### How to get an international passport abroad?

You should be able to request the passport from a russian embassy abroad. It might take some time though (up to 2 months), so you might need to live there for a while. Prepare for that.

## How to get a Visa with which I will be let into EU?

Your best bet is a **Schengen visa** (see the following section). You can request it at the embassy/consulate of an EU state that still offers Schengen visas to Russian citizens (Spain, for instance).

If the embassy/consulate of the EU country still operates in Russia, you can request Schengen visa there.


Leaving Russia


To enter an EU country you need a visa. Without it you can not:

- cross the border with EU country
- you will not be let into the plane at the airport

## Does Czech republic issue any visas for russians citizens? (edit)

🚫 **Yes, but it is severely restricted**. Czech republic no longer accepts visa and permit requests on its embassies abroad. The only two exceptions are:

1. Request for short term visa given on behalf of a **family relative** who is a citizen of Czech republic or other EU country
2. visa that is granted for the reasons that **politically benefit** Czech republic; this request is granted personally by the Minister of Foreign affairs

The only place in Russia that issues those requests at the moment is the Czech embassy in Moscow.

The Schengen visas for russian citizens are currently not issued for Russian citizens. You need to request the Schengen visa some other EU state than Czech republic.

## Which visas can I get from some other country?

The easiest one is the Schengen visa (see below).

You might be aplicable for some other types of special visas - such as repatriation to Germany or Izrael, startup visa in Portugal, etc. But as those are rare and connected to special circumstances, you probably already know if you are.

## Which EU countries still provide Schengen visas to russian citizens?

Most of the EU countries still provide Schengen visas to Russians, it seems.

Only those countries stopped issuing visas to Russian as a sanction:

- 🚫 Lithuania
- 🚫 Latvia
- 🚫 Czech republic.

This list may grow however.

Some countries may have also stopped issuing the Schengen visa for Russian citizens due to the COVID reasons.

We recommend those options:

- ✅ Estonia,
- ✅ Hungary.

From March 9th Greece should also be an option.

Don't forget to verify the current situation with the country you want to request the visa from. Usually they would be able tell you at the infoline of the embassy (during the office hours).

## Can a person with Schengen visa move freely in the EU?

✅ **Yes**. If a person has a Schengen visa issued by another Schengen state, they can automatically travel with it to all Schengen states.

However, even with a Schengen visa, a person may be refused entry into the territory of a Schengen state - eg. if they have already used up the number of days allowed to stay in the Schengen territory on the basis of an issued visa or if the relevant state registers them as a person to be refused entry for security, public order or public health reasons.

## How do I ask for Schengen visa?

General information: [www.schengenvisainfo.com/](www.schengenvisainfo.com/)

Prices of visas: [www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-fee/](www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-fee/) (the official price was 35EUR for a russian citizen - this may have changed)

You may need to provide:

- proof of accommodation for your stay: [www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-application-requirements/proof-accommodation/](www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-application-requirements/proof-accommodation/)
- your flight tickets: [www.schengenvisainfo.com/flight-itinerary-visa-application](www.schengenvisainfo.com/flight-itinerary-visa-application)

## Can I stay in Czech Republic for 90 days if I have Schengen visa?

In general, a Schengen visa entitles a foreigner to stay in the territory of the Schengen States for the period indicated in it, for a maximum of 90 days

However, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that he had ordered the revision of the residence permits of Russian citizens in the Czech Republic, which may also affect persons who already have a Schengen visa.


Entering EU


## Did Czech republic stop issuing visa for russian citizens?

🚫 **No, but it is severely restricted**. Czech republic no longer accepts visa and permit requests on its embassies abroad. The only two exceptions are:

1. Request for short term visa given on behalf of a **family relative** who is a citizen of Czech republic or other EU country
2. visa that is granted for the reasons that **politically benefit** Czech republic; this request is granted personally by the Minister of Foreign affairs

The only place in Russia that issues those requests at the moment is the Czech embassy in Moscow.

The Schengen visas for russian citizens are currently not issued for Russian citizens. You need to request the Schengen visa some other EU state than Czech republic.

Source (CZ): [https://apps.odok.cz/attachment/-/down/IHOACC3J66OE](https://apps.odok.cz/attachment/-/down/IHOACC3J66OE)

## What are the other options?

The other options are:

- permanent residence permit for humanitarian reasons
- humanitarian asylum

## Permanent residence permit for humanitarian reasons

Person does not need to meet conditions of previous continuous residence in the territory.

The permanent residence permit is granted for humanitarian reasons, in particular:

- if he is the asylum seeker's husband and the marriage was entered into before the asylum seeker entered the territory
- if he is an asylum seeker's child or a child who is dependent on the asylum seeker's care, unless he / she applies for asylum, or
- if he was a citizen of the Czech Republic in the past

### How long can I stay?

The foreigner's residence permit is issued for a period of 10 years.

### Can I work?

Foreigner can work, here are options: https://www.cicops.cz/en/social-counselling/36-infoservis/job-counseling/losing-a-job/80-what-to-do-when-you-lose-your-job

### Can I travel?

A valid permanent residence permit allows you to stay both in the Czech Republic and in other countries of the Schengen area. The maximum period of stay in the Schengen area outside the Czech Republic is limited to ninety days in any six-month period.

## Humanitarian asylum

You can only ask for asylum on the territory of Czech republic.

The asylum is granted for humanitarian reasons, in particular:

- persons fulfilling the condition of humanitarian reason - especially with regard to high age;
- also persons particularly severely handicapped or ill,
- from areas affected by a humanitarian disaster, whether caused by human or natural factors, etc.

You can also ask for international protection. Those are valid reasons:

- persecution for exercising political rights and freedoms
- legitimate fear of being persecuted on the grounds of race, sex, religion, nationality, belonging to a particular social group or for holding certain political opinion.
- real risk of suffering serious harm in your country of origin

Asylum may also be granted to selected family members of the asylum seeker.

Source: https://www.mvcr.cz/migrace/soubor/informace-pro-zadatele-o-mezinarodni-ochranu-anglicky.aspx

### How long can I stay?

Asylum is granted for an indefinite period.

### Can I work?

Asylum seeker can work after 6 months of requesting the asylum, but they need a work permit.

### What is the process?

As an applicant, the person is first accommodated in a “reception center”, which they may not leave without permission.

During the application procedure, the person may subsequently reside in a residential center which they may leave. They can also find other accommodation at their own expense.

If a person has been granted asylum, they may move freely within the territory of the Schengen States if they fulfill the conditions for entry and are not on the national list of undesirable persons of the State to which they are traveling.

If a person travels to their country of nationality or origin, this may be a reason to initiate the procedure for withdrawing the granted asylum.

More information: https://www.mvcr.cz/migrace/soubor/informace-pro-zadatele-o-mezinarodni-ochranu-anglicky.aspx

### What are the children rights? Do they receive education in the asylum process?

All children can attend primary school in the Czech Republic, even those who are staying in the Czech Republic illegally.

Children who are staying in the Czech Republic legally can attend secondary schools and Universities.

### Are families of asylum seekers separated?

No, if a person was granted asylum, his or her family members (spouse, minor child or, in the case of a minor child, parent) can apply for asylum as well on the ground of reunification with a family member.

## I have a family connection to Ukraine - does it help?

### What if the russian citizen lives in Ukraine?

This depends on their residence status. The Council of European Union adopted an implementing decision introducing temporary protection. The temporary protection will be granted also to nationals of third countries, who were in Ukraine under international protection or equivalent national protection, and also those who can prove that they lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit and who are unable to return in safe and durable conditions to their country.

### The russian citizen is married to an ukrainian person. Does it make a difference?

Yes, the temporary protection is provided also to family members of Ukrainian nationals residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.

## Illegal stay

In theory you can get the Schengen visa from another EU state, travel with it to Czech republic - and not leave after 90 days. This is illegal.

### What are the dangers?

The person may be fined and an administrative expulsion will be ordered.

### Can the person be returned to Russia if they choose this route?

In case of illegal stay in the Czech Republic, a decision will be made on administrative expulsion. This decision will terminate the foreigner's stay on the territory and set a period of time when the foreigner has to leave the territory and a period of time during which the foreigner cannot be allowed to enter the territory of the EU Member States.
If a person is an asylum seeker, he or she cannot be returned to a country in which they would be in likely danger of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion (please review the specific rules as excemptions may apply).

## Who can I contact for help with the visa request?

We are building a list of contacts. Right now those agencies are offering help:

### BROŽ BROŽ VALA advokátní kancelář s.r.o

- contact person: Karla Kratochvílová
- email: karla.kratochvilova@bbv-ak.cz

## Is it easier to stay in other EU countries?

It may be easier. [Check the 4th article](/info/other-countries) in our info section.


Stay in Czech republic


It may be easier to emmigrate to other EU countries at the moment. We will try our best to gather some information about that.

## General information

👉 [https://equanity.notion.site/equanity/6bb0d8655cf44d25993fb11d14456d5e](https://equanity.notion.site/equanity/6bb0d8655cf44d25993fb11d14456d5e).

## 🇪🇸 Spain

👉 [https://necessary-philosophy-a01.notion.site/a7a133d815e9461eb60290fc646a7e39](https://necessary-philosophy-a01.notion.site/a7a133d815e9461eb60290fc646a7e39)
