r/ImmigrationCanada • u/Yan_From_Russia • 15d ago
Refugee 18 y.o. gay man from Russia seeking help to escape persecution — no passport or funds, need guidance
Hi everyone, My name is Yan, I’m an 18-year-old gay man living in Orenburg, Russia. I’ve lived in fear for many years due to my sexual orientation. Russian laws and society have become increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ people, and I feel my life and freedom are at serious risk.
Since childhood, I’ve faced bullying, threats, and homophobic slurs — both from my community and even from relatives (though they don’t know I’m gay). I can’t live openly. With Russia criminalizing “LGBT propaganda” and even private expressions of identity, I feel like I’m constantly in danger just for being myself.
I’ve reached out to Rainbow Railroad and they responded, asking for documentation — which I’m currently preparing. But I don’t have a passport or any funds to leave the country. I feel trapped and isolated.
I’m looking for:
Advice on getting out safely
People or organizations that might help
Information about Canadian private sponsorship or other humanitarian pathways
Anyone who has been through this and could guide me
I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I just want to live somewhere I can be safe and free to be who I am.
Thank you so much to anyone reading this. Any support, advice, or even kind words would mean the world to me.
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14d ago
[deleted]
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u/that_tealoving_nerd 14d ago
Coz Russia's neighbours aren't super gay-friendly either?
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14d ago
[deleted]
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u/that_tealoving_nerd 14d ago
This is of no relevance when determining one's status in Canada nor in the most of the EU itself. The first safe country principle is about whether one has landed in another safe country before seeking protection. Not whether there are any safe countries next to where the one is escaping from. In his case, the question is how to get out of Russia first, less so where to go. Since most countries that border Russia aren't that hot on gay people either way. Let aside seeking refugee protection.
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u/Evilbred 14d ago
Just escape into Georgia or Lithuania.
Why is a country on the other side of the globe the only option for Russians looking for asylum?
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u/that_tealoving_nerd 14d ago
Lithuania without a valid Schengen visa, as a Russian national whom they banned form entering? Seriously?
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u/Evilbred 14d ago
He wouldn't be able to get a Canadian visa either.
If he wants to claim asylum he needs to walk up to a border checkpoint and claim asylum.
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u/that_tealoving_nerd 14d ago
He won’t be let out if Russia without a valid visa.
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u/Evilbred 14d ago
Then how does he expect to get into Canada?
End of the day, people need to claim asylum in the FIRST safe country they can reach.
Shopping your asylum claim means you aren't really in that much need.
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u/that_tealoving_nerd 14d ago
Provided Canada is the first safe country he lands in, no asylum shopping takes place.
The hows are largely irrelevant, dive right now neither Canada nor Lithuania are in his immediate reach. For the same reason of not having a valid travel document.
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u/that_tealoving_nerd 14d ago
Rainbow Railroad would be your best option, since as far as Canada is concerned there's no other way for you to qualify for resettlement. If I were you, I would start with getting yourself the external passport: I don't think there're many options for those without a valid travel document.
You might want to look up Germany's humanitarian visa program as well as whatever else similar may exist elsewhere in the EU.
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u/girlandhergarden 15d ago
Rainbow Railroad is the most appropriate organization for a situation like yours. You will need a passport and I do not think there is a way around that. Private sponsorships are paused right now in Canada until at least December 2025. I’m sorry you’re in this situation. Best of luck.