Hi,
I have a friend who is a Russian citizen.
They are stuck in the EU. They arrived on a tourist visa, lost the passport, but continued their stay in the EU.
They managed to renew their passport, and now have the passport back. However, the passport, as it's new, doesn't have their tourist visa or entry stamp.
They would like to legalize their stay in the EU without being deported or getting an entry ban.
Is there any way to solve this? Is there somehow a way to use the passport to get a visa, a residence or something? Or somehow to go back to Russia without an entry ban, and then apply for a new visa?
I don't want to get into details, but they are in a pretty bad situation.
Why did they continue their stay in the EU while they knew it will make troubles for them. They should go to the Russian embassy in the country where they are now and get stuff sorted out. If the story is like you say they have not made anything wrong.
burden said:Why did they continue their stay in the EU while they knew it will make troubles for them. They should go to the Russian embassy in the country where they are now and get stuff sorted out. If the story is like you say they have not made anything wrong.
This was two years ago, before I knew them. I guess it was either a rash decision, as this person is prone to paranoia and is otherwise low functioning. Or they may have already overstayed their tourist visa, and trying to go back to Russia would have resulted in an entry ban when they are at passport control.
Though I agree with you! Going back immediately after losing the passport and being truthful would result in fewer issues.
The Russian embassy can't help in regards to their lack of visa or regulation of stay in the EU, they've been there. The embassy can only issue Russian documents, such as (I forget the name) a certificate that allows one-way travel back to Russia without a passport. It's something like an emergency passport.
As I said, what they need, is to either apply for an EU visa/residency while being in the EU (so some type of intra-EU visa application?). Or a legal way to get back to Russia without getting an entry ban due to overstaying the tourist visa.
There best bet should be to go to the immigration department of the country they are in and if their visa is still valid they should just ask it to be re-issued on their new passport. If it has expired they should see if they can get a new one. A local immigration lawyer would also be able to advice appropriately.
CyprusLawyer101 said:There best bet should be to go to the immigration department of the country they are in and if their visa is still valid they should just ask it to be re-issued on their new passport. If it has expired they should see if they can get a new one. A local immigration lawyer would also be able to advice appropriately.
Thanks for the advice!
Their visa is expired.
I will tell them about talking to a local lawyer.
Btw, do you think a digital nomad visa would work in their situation? Since some of those visas can be remotely issued or picked up at an embassy where the person has a "habitual residence", i.e., outside of Russia?
Scratch said:Btw, do you think a digital nomad visa would work in their situation? Since some of those visas can be remotely issued or picked up at an embassy where the person has a "habitual residence", i.e., outside of Russia?
No. They are illegals. No different to someone entering EU from Africa and overstaying their visa unlawfully. They will likely be fined, deported or banned from entering for a period of time. As they are Russian a ban is almost certain course of action.
If they want to stay in EU they can claim asylum and hang around lawfully until their asylum claim is processed. The claim will off course be rejected as they did not claim asylum on first entry. They are out of luck.
Scratch said:Hi,
I have a friend who is a Russian citizen.
They are stuck in the EU. They arrived on a tourist visa, lost the passport, but continued their stay in the EU.
They managed to renew their passport, and now have the passport back. However, the passport, as it's new, doesn't have their tourist visa or entry stamp.
They would like to legalize their stay in the EU without being deported or getting an entry ban.
Is there any way to solve this? Is there somehow a way to use the passport to get a visa, a residence or something? Or somehow to go back to Russia without an entry ban, and then apply for a new visa?
I don't want to get into details, but they are in a pretty bad situation.
Probably the only way is to leave EU in Estonia by raft or through Finland forests directly into Russia
I was going to answer this, but it facilitates a (potential?) crime, so it's better that your friend hire a lawyer and follow the "law."
Scratch said:Thanks for the advice!
Their visa is expired.
I will tell them about talking to a local lawyer.
Btw, do you think a digital nomad visa would work in their situation? Since some of those visas can be remotely issued or picked up at an embassy where the person has a "habitual residence", i.e., outside of Russia?
It really depends on the jurisdiction and how long ago their visa has expired. If they are under an illegal status, then most probsbly they will be sent out of the country.
They should try Spain maybe? The best place for anybody without documents and money. Being without visa is a small offense which does not get you deported (yeah...). Also there is a program (search for "Arraigo") for "undocumented migrants", idea is that if somebody lives 3 years in Spain they have right to continue to live in Spain and get some documentation. Good luck.
Scratch said:Hi,
I have a friend who is a Russian citizen.
They are stuck in the EU. They arrived on a tourist visa, lost the passport, but continued their stay in the EU.
They managed to renew their passport, and now have the passport back. However, the passport, as it's new, doesn't have their tourist visa or entry stamp.
They would like to legalize their stay in the EU without being deported or getting an entry ban.
Is there any way to solve this? Is there somehow a way to use the passport to get a visa, a residence or something? Or somehow to go back to Russia without an entry ban, and then apply for a new visa?
I don't want to get into details, but they are in a pretty bad situation.
If the aim is to leave EU there may be a gray area solution - in the interest of the EU and Schengen area security and regulatory framework and your friends. I assume that they run from the military draft and war which is ethicaly and legaly acceptable. The situation is as bad as it can get for everybody, so we should offer an understanding at least.
The Montenegro isn't EEA/EU member nor is a Schengen area participant. Your friends may charter and board a private vessel in Italy or Croatia and head to Montenegro or do the same from Greece to Turkey where after entry visa they can head towards either Belgrade or Istanbul and board a flight to Moscow.
They may try to establish their residence in EU countries thru business entity set-up thus requesting a new Schengen visa or via digital nomad visas.
Last edited: Aug 18, 2024
Stafford · 12 replies · last 10 Sep 2025
JohnnySilverhand · 22 replies · last 24 Aug 2025
argo · 3 replies · last 19 Aug 2025
movin3wheeler · 11 replies · last 18 Aug 2025
True power moves in silence.
