Born between two cultures, I've often felt like an outsider in both. As a child, I devoured sci-fi books and identified simply as a "human". After all, there are no countries or borders visible on the Pale Blue Dot photograph.
Last year I had to leave my home because a malevolent dictator lost his last marbles and decided to wage war on the rest of the world. I'm not a "life on the road" type of person, so before February 24, 2023, my brother and I had a plan - we took out mortgages to buy two houses next to each other. We thought it would be cool to live side by side after all the years spent apart.
Well, fuck our plans. Now, neither of us is in Russia anymore.
Fortunately, I've been working remotely since 2016 (thanks, Internet!), which allowed me to leave. But it's somewhat ironic (and painful!) to see remote workers boasting about their home office setups. Because, you see, I don’t have an office. Or a home, for that matter.
It’s even more ironic when remote folks start discussing digital “nomad” visas, with the idea that “you can live and work wherever you choose”! Well, no. The reality is that the process is far from simple, and the amount of hoops you have to jump through because of your passport is crazy.
Last year I had to leave my home because a malevolent dictator lost his last marbles and decided to wage war on the rest of the world. I'm not a "life on the road" type of person, so before February 24, 2023, my brother and I had a plan - we took out mortgages to buy two houses next to each other. We thought it would be cool to live side by side after all the years spent apart.
Well, fuck our plans. Now, neither of us is in Russia anymore.
Fortunately, I've been working remotely since 2016 (thanks, Internet!), which allowed me to leave. But it's somewhat ironic (and painful!) to see remote workers boasting about their home office setups. Because, you see, I don’t have an office. Or a home, for that matter.
It’s even more ironic when remote folks start discussing digital “nomad” visas, with the idea that “you can live and work wherever you choose”! Well, no. The reality is that the process is far from simple, and the amount of hoops you have to jump through because of your passport is crazy.
Those born in first-world countries may not realize this, but obtaining visas is a complicated and often daunting process for many of us. And it's not as simple as just applying for one. Here's the catch:
I can’t apply for a digital nomad visa without a residence permit in the country where I’m applying.
I can’t apply for such a visa here in Tbilisi, Georgia, or any other country that welcomes me, because I don’t have a residence permit. Getting a residence permit for a Russian national now is a whole other saga, but that’s not the main issue. The real problem is that they tell you to go back to Moscow and apply at the consulate there. What if you don’t want to get conscripted or end up in jail? Well, tough luck then.
In 1922, Fridtjof Nansen fought to issue refugee passports for Russian people fleeing war. In 2023, a full 101 years later, we’re erecting bureaucratic walls for people doing the same.
In 1922, Fridtjof Nansen fought to issue refugee passports for Russian people fleeing war. In 2023, a full 101 years later, we’re erecting bureaucratic walls for people doing the same.
I've gone to great lengths to be where I am now (not geographically speaking), but I didn’t choose where to be born. Nobody does, and nobody deserves to be punished for it.
The sci-fi loving child inside me still believes that we, as humans, can do better.
The sci-fi loving child inside me still believes that we, as humans, can do better.