[ $davids.sh ] โ€” david shekunts blog

๐Ÿš˜ Dodo's Emigration ๐Ÿš˜

# [ $davids.sh ] ยท message #252

๐Ÿš˜ Dodo's Emigration ๐Ÿš˜

I'll share useful insights from my experience on migration, including banks, self-employment, military registration, marriage, citizenship, costs, driver's licenses, hair transplants, and more.

#petrthepig

  • @ [ $davids.sh ] ยท # 1557

    All links are at the end, and your questions are welcome

    Banks and Sole Proprietorships

    . I opened WireX and Bunk - I arrived in Europe on a Schengen visa, sent them my foreign passport, they made and sent me cards. They refused my friends, so it's a lottery, BUT I'm willing to bet that my chances were higher because I went through KYC in a bunch of different projects before, and most likely, these banks used the same KYC provider, which is why my application was approved.

    . I registered a sole proprietorship in Georgia and opened an account at TBS - everything was super fast and simple. The only thing is that TBS initially refused, but after I submitted a couple more documents, they confirmed it (the whole process took a month). Filing reports and paying taxes is also simple (link at the end).

    Driver's Licenses

    In Georgia, I studied theory with an instructor for 3 months, passed, practiced on the driving range about 7 times and in the city about 10 times, and passed both the city and range tests. I took all the tests in Rustavi; they say it's difficult there, but I can definitely say it's possible.

    In other countries, Russian citizens are not really given licenses.

    With these licenses, you can also legally open various Revoluts, Wise, and generally go through KYC.

    Where and How to Live

    From my experience:

    • I haven't rented a 2-3 bedroom apartment in a good area near the center for less than $1200 anywhere, BUT I've always met people who found super cool and cheap housing through Facebook (it depends on your effort and time).

    • Food costs $10 per person per meal (without alcohol).

    • On Facebook, you can find cooks who prepare food to your taste and deliver it every few days (it turns out cheaper than eating delivery, slightly more expensive than cooking yourself).

    Portugal โ€“ a calm, pleasant European village with rising costs.

    Serbia โ€“ dirty, a bit cold, but pleasant people and tasty food.

    Armenia โ€“ a large part of the housing market is a nightmare (in terms of design, location, and cost), but the food is very tasty, the people are good, and overall it's okay for living.

    Georgia โ€“ apartments are better, but much more expensive. Food and other things are more expensive, and only 50% of the food is tasty. I like Tbilisi very much. Georgians are often extremely passive-aggressive; if I need to communicate with Georgians, I prepare to argue every time. However, it was in Georgia that I managed to get married, have a hair transplant, get a driver's license, and open a sole proprietorship, so you could say it's a land of opportunities.

    Bali โ€“ if you're used to heat, rain, and motorcycles, it's an excellent option for temporary stays (from a couple of months to a couple of years).

    Spain โ€“ the place I'm aiming for: beautiful, optimal economic situation, cheaper than many European countries despite its development, Spanish is an awesome language, and there are many simplified ways to legalize yourself.

    Residency Permits

    I myself wanted to get the Spanish digital nomad visa, but circumstances arose that postponed everything for six months. For two people, you need to earn 3500 euros per month (sole proprietorship or employer). It's 100% worth doing from within Spain (by arriving on a Schengen visa). The conditions are the simplest among other countries I considered (for the contact of an agent who can help with the residency permit, write to me in DMs).

    Also, in Spain and Portugal, you can apply for a startup visa, for which you only need an idea and a presentation (this 100% works).

    There are successful experiences from acquaintances in both directions, links at the end.

    Armenian Citizenship

    โ€“ I submitted documents in Georgia based on my Armenian father. I needed: translations of my foreign passport, parents' passports, birth certificate, and proof of paternity (if born before marriage) into Armenian. I waited 5 months, then went to Armenia, visited a couple of places, and received my passport. The conscription age was up to 27; I can't say for sure now.

    โ€“ An Armenian passport doesn't offer a lot, but you can handle all daily matters without going through Russia. There's an option to get a long-term Schengen visa (you need to have an Armenian card with transactions for at least 3 months, which can be opened after obtaining citizenship), and overall, there's a positive-neutral attitude towards Armenians.

  • @ [ $davids.sh ] ยท # 1558

    Hair Transplant

    **Had a hair transplant in Georgia at Tsilosani clinic. The cost ranges from $2500 to $7000, depending on the technique and who performs it (in general, you can choose any doctor, they are all professionals). If you want it cheaper, you can find it for $1200. It's been 3-4 months, and the hair has started to grow actively (it's amazing), but I'm still walking around bald because it's fucking awesome.

    The only painful part was the anesthetic injections, but it was bearable. The procedure lasted 6 hours straight, and I decided not to take breaks. For the next 3 days, I slept sitting up, but with painkillers, it wasn't a problem.**

    Wedding

    Got married in Georgia ๐Ÿฅฐ Instead of a regular registration, we had a full ceremony (also done at the House of Justice when you file). The main thing is to have 2 witnesses who sign with you, and translations.

    Don't forget to get an apostille on your certificates and have them notarized and translated into Russian and English.

    Money

    . Crypto is everything, specifically I use WireX, Trustwallet, and Tangem.

    . If you're paying more than 1.5% for cash withdrawal anywhere, you're being ripped off.

    . For long-term "investments" / savings, I use Bitcoin and Ethereum (for example, in the last six months, it's already tripled). It's the dumbest, laziest, and simplest method, yet quite reliable.

    Visas

    Remember, each consul has the right to set any conditions for issuing visas in their country of residence. So, even if you don't have a residence permit, go to the consulate of the country, explain your situation, and if you need a NON-Schengen visa, there's a good chance they'll accept you.

    Second Passport

    Russians are allowed to have 2 passports. You can also get a passport outside of Russia (e.g., in Armenia or Kazakhstan), it's just a matter of time.

    A second passport is convenient because you can send it to Russia without yourself to, for example, get a visa stamped in it (if, of course, fresh biometrics are not required).

    Military Commissariat

    I sent my military ID, notarized copies of my passport by a Georgian notary, my foreign passport + pages with the last exit stamp, and my Armenian passport. I wrote a statement to be deregistered from the military commissariat due to my absence from the country. These documents were handed over through a person with a general power of attorney, and a week later, I was deregistered.

    The Lamp (Balinese Burning Man)

    It was boring sober. If I hadn't created the most amazing camp at the event (personalized AI audio meditation with molecular cuisine and cocktails), but under mushrooms/acid, people had a blast.

    If I come again, I'll create a camp for sober people.

    Useful Links

    . Georgian Driver's License โ€“ Nukri +995 568 640 707 (you can mention I sent you) . Translations and Notary in Georgia - Goroda Perevodov . Address to open an Individual Entrepreneur - Ina @inaklimovich (you can mention I sent you) . Georgian Bath Ceremonies - Yura @chikhalov (you can mention I sent you) . Hair Transplant โ€“ inst tsilosani.dr_rus

  • @ Arsen IT-K Arakelyan ยท # 1559

    Question regarding Armenian citizenship: is dual citizenship allowed in Russia, or did you have to renounce your Russian citizenship? And regarding military service, is it safe there, given the constant conflicts?

    I was also interested in understanding why Armenian citizenship might be appealing, but generally, I don't need it.

    I agree about Spain, I'm also thinking of moving there after Germany, or to Bali later ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ

  • @ [ $davids.sh ] ยท # 1560

    Double allowed

    Dangerous, conflicts are constant

  • @ Arsen IT-K Arakelyan ยท # 1561

    Why did you get it? It seems to me that it's not harder to get documents in Georgia? If it's important to have any documents other than Russian ones

  • @ [ $davids.sh ] ยท # 1562

    I wanted citizenship, not a residence permit, to resolve the issue once and for all

    • after all, I know the language, I have many relatives, I travel every year, so it's a second home
  • @ Arsen IT-K Arakelyan ยท # 1563

    By the way, how else do you invest your finances?

    Is there anything besides cash/crypto?

    Do you use staking/trading to multiply crypto?

    If so, maybe do you have any active algo bots? Your own custom/bought/public ones?

    What are your thoughts on NFTs?

  • @ [ $davids.sh ] ยท # 1564

    I'm bad at finance, so for now, only crypto.

    NFTs are just crypto commodities; if they have worthy backing, then they can be bought.