Ask HN: Where and how can I get a citizenship if I'm stateless? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Where and how can I get a citizenship if I'm stateless?

11 pointsel420699 comments

I need your help. I have nobody, and basically nothing. I was taken away from my real parents as an infant and abandoned to live with some really awful family in a country that I absolutely don't find myself comfortable living in. My exit from this country was sabotaged last year, and I can't get my passport updated or apply for visa, because my national IDs have been invalidated. I need to start my life, with a fresh start. I have plans to make music, start DJing, launch startups, pursue research, and so much more. I'm unable to do anything because I don't even have a bank account or phone numbers. Please, I need some urgent help in reaching a country where I'd be safe and happy, preferably somewhere in Europe. I'd really appreciate any kind of advice or support. Thank you.

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In the Czech Republic (EU) it's possible to seek international protection / asylum as an undocumented or stateless person. Eventually if it's granted you will get an EU-recognized ID. It's necessary to come at least to the border, though - the police there will help you with your international protection request.

If you can in any way get to EU borders, you won't be turned back unless there's a very serious reason to do so (not having documents is not).

Your situation where it seems like your state is retaliating for your political opinion is one of the possible reasons to grant international protection. If it's Russia you're talking about, many people like you already went through the process in Czech Republic.

https://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/asylum.aspx

If you need help, contact me at throwawayasylum@email.cz

Without any further details it's difficult to offer advice. For example...from which country to which country? EU is vast and quite heterogeneous. What brought you from being an adopted child to being an adult without proper IDs? Please share more details if you can.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statelessness

I've already read through it before. Unfortunately, I don't know where or how to begin. All the countries expect me to be physically present before applying for citizenship, and I need a passport to leave the country I'm stuck in. Also, I don't have any documents. I'm wondering what are my options? It's certainly not the usual situation with me.

I considered this https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-stateless https://www.gov.uk/stay-in-uk-stateless

I'd apply for citizenship, but I am unable to. I already have a startup idea that can fund it, if only I could have the necessary resources to get started building it. I couldn't even apply to YC2023 batch, given my situation. I am unable to do anything, because I don't have any IDs, bank account, phone number... not even a home. I need a fresh start, a citizenship in a good country with new name.

Can your country of birth not provide consular assistance? Presumably you're still a citizen there, whether or not you have access to your passport.

I'm not sure where I was born. As I said, I was taken away from my real parents as an infant and abandoned to live with an awful family who adopted me without even telling me I'm adopted. I guess my parents are of European origin. I tried changing my legal name, dropped the last name and made some spelling correction to the first name. Legally, the procedure was complete. But when I went to have it updated on my national IDs, they sabotaged it three times. Made me go through the entire procedure of verification, generated acknowledgement receipts, and eventually gave me bullshit reasons like technical error. The employees at the office were confused as well, even they didn't have any idea why it wasn't updated. Perhaps I got the attention of the government when I spoke out against the war on public forums. And they're now sabotaging my life. So, I don't even have a name right now, which is good because I didn't like the name that was given to me. I wish I could find my real parents, I know they are out there somewhere. I don't know what to do.

I suggest you try to get in contact with charities specialising in human trafficking. They may be able to help you find your original identity and country of birth. If your parents were European it's likely your birth was registered

You can try having a DNA test to get some clues of your origin. Also, there should be a ton of paperwork done during adopting and it should be possible to find traces.

What country are you currently in?

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