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Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

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81–90 of 228 posts

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#82
Don't waste any time, get out of the country asap on regular touristic visa. Usually it means you can stay "on a vacation" for up to 30 days at once and 3 months in total (you just cross the border and return), which should be enough to see what's going on with Syria. Legally you can't work, but if you already have an online job no one will stop you to continue working. If the war starts you can then obtain the refugee status in that country on the basis that you can't return to your homeland. The refugee status doesn't mean that you have to stay in that country, as an educated refugee you can apply for a work visa in other countries through their embassies.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#83
post #26

Skip Germany and go to Sweden or England, where people are more than happy to speak English, and there is already many Syrians in Sweden, especially in Sodertalje. Sweden will accept you based on your skills far more easily than Germany, all you need is to find a job, and right now the market is open for a guy of your skills - programmers are in high demand. Look around on various Sweden/Stockholm job posting sites,…

Another thing:

i dont know if this is true or not, but i heard you should avoid passing through Greece. Best option is to make your way to Turkey, and from there straight to Western Europe. And if possible, do not attempt to go alone, but travel with a group of people. You'll encounter a lot of people who will try to take advantage of you.

Another option, if you belong to a minority: Stick with your people, seek their centers and get their advise. (This may sound kind of racist. But Syria has a lot of minorities, each with a different approach to this situation. Don't be fooled, it is War, so everybody will rather help their people first. I don't make the rules...)

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#84
post #26

Skip Germany and go to Sweden or England, where people are more than happy to speak English, and there is already many Syrians in Sweden, especially in Sodertalje. Sweden will accept you based on your skills far more easily than Germany, all you need is to find a job, and right now the market is open for a guy of your skills - programmers are in high demand. Look around on various Sweden/Stockholm job posting sites,…

I approve this too. Don't go to Germany. As a German citizen I really hate to say this, but recently there has been a hitch in the media where there were protests by neonazi groups in front of asylum homes. Sadly, there are still people who see asylum seekers as potential job-stealers, showing them nothing but hate and would like to throw them all out, regardless of their skills. This is absolutely not the general op…

You'll find such people in every country, I don't think it proves anything about the general sentiment of the population.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#85
An intermediate option might be moving to Lebanon temporarily. It is still relatively (to syria) safe. As a Syrian, you dont need visa or residency permit. You can continue your work from here and figure out your next move; namely apply for immigration visas here-and-there.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#86
post #77
post #46

I'm a Syrian hacker myself, and I can suggest you a better option. Go to Dubai, it is easy to get a visit visa first, if you are in damascus you can go through Beirut Airport as the path is still safe between the cities (got many friends coming through that route). then you can try to find a job in Dubai (should be easier as the economy is growing and since you speak the language), I myself know many startups and com…

This of course is assuming the poster isn't female. Do not go to Dubai if you are a woman.

Not really, if you are a woman that would triple your chances of finding Jobs and great life.

The amount of respect and importance women get in Dubai is incomparable to any other country.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#87
post #38
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is going to Turkey from Syria safe? Maybe it makes sense to go to Iran first.

He should know that better than us, we are further away from the war. Possibly even going to Iraq first would be an option. However, now I am reminded that Syria has banned all males 18-42 from leaving the country. So, it isnt easy, you basically have to escape through smuggle-lines/unguarded border. EDIT: If I may speculate, the safest option would be to get to the coast and take a ship to anywhere that isnt Syria.…

Couldn't you dress yourself as a highly religious woman (using a burka)? You wear an attire covering your entire body, right? Not sure what rights religious people enjoy, but maybe you could pass as a woman.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#88
post #46

I'm a Syrian hacker myself, and I can suggest you a better option. Go to Dubai, it is easy to get a visit visa first, if you are in damascus you can go through Beirut Airport as the path is still safe between the cities (got many friends coming through that route). then you can try to find a job in Dubai (should be easier as the economy is growing and since you speak the language), I myself know many startups and com…

I strongly support level09's comment. It's wiser than going to Europe for instance. Safer and with better perspective. Why would you want to go to Europe anyway? Compared to Dubai (especially since you speak the language) it provides harder living conditions and the whole process of getting and staying there is a pain. Also, sad but true: some European societies are plagued with either latent, or even blatant racism.

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#89
post #26

Skip Germany and go to Sweden or England, where people are more than happy to speak English, and there is already many Syrians in Sweden, especially in Sodertalje. Sweden will accept you based on your skills far more easily than Germany, all you need is to find a job, and right now the market is open for a guy of your skills - programmers are in high demand. Look around on various Sweden/Stockholm job posting sites,…

Finland is also an option and the market for good developers is hot right now. Drop me a line via Twitter - my username is in my profile - and I can do some intros if you decide to come here.

Edit: more info: http://www.migri.fi/asylum_in_finland

Re: Ask HN: How Can I leave Syria now and get asylum in Europe (Germany)

#90
post #52
post #26

Skip Germany and go to Sweden or England, where people are more than happy to speak English, and there is already many Syrians in Sweden, especially in Sodertalje. Sweden will accept you based on your skills far more easily than Germany, all you need is to find a job, and right now the market is open for a guy of your skills - programmers are in high demand. Look around on various Sweden/Stockholm job posting sites,…

> Not Germany, France, Italy, USA, Turkey they all suck As a German, I really have to agree. Don't get trapped here. It's not a very friendly country, especially compared to the scandinavian ones. Xenophobia is also an issue. If I was seeking asylum in order to start a new life somewhere, I'd much rather try for London or Stockholm. Asylum in Germany is more like being in protective custody. Do not do this.

Berlin is way friendlier than Stockholm IME. London and Stockholm are also some of the most expensivie cities in Europe whereas Berlin is cheap.
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