Yana’s story shows how thin the line can sometimes be between successfully completing university studies and unexpected residency complications. Yana came to the Czech Republic from Transnistria in search of a better life and higher education. Although she settled down in the Czech Republic and managed her studies without any issues, a missing document in her visa extension application suddenly put her plans at risk. In this interview, she describes her journey to obtaining her degree and how our legal counseling helped her in a critical moment.
What is your story?
I come from Transnistria, a small region right next to Moldova. The main goal of moving here was to get a quality university education and overall have a better life. That came true for me – life is much better here. My mother is here, I met my boyfriend, with whom I’ve been together for almost four and a half years and live in a shared household. And recently, I successfully completed my bachelor’s degree.
However, that almost didn’t happen, because this winter I received a decision on the discontinuation of the proceedings regarding the extension of my student visa.
I submitted the extension application in mid-August, and in October I sent the remaining required documents by post (just as I had done for several years). The proceedings were discontinued because my health insurance was missing among the documents (even though it was purchased a month before sending those documents and, as far as I remember, was attached to them), and I was given only 15 days to file an appeal.
Which ICP service did you use? What was the experience like?
That’s when I remembered that ICP exists, and I started checking their official website to see if they also help with legal matters. I found the necessary information, wrote an email, and soon received a call to arrange a consultation. They offered me a Russian-speaking lawyer as well as the option of an online consultation, which was the most convenient solution for me.
Mgr. Alisa Nechanská listened to me, paid great attention to details, asked follow-up questions, and quite quickly prepared an appeal in which she reflected all of my arguments.
After a few months of waiting, the response came from the Ministry of the Interior in my favor. I was able to stop worrying about my stay in the Czech Republic and focus on my final state exams.
In my situation, I am extremely grateful to Alisa for her help and professionalism, as well as to the entire ICP organization for helping foreigners in various situations and doing so free of charge, which is also very important.
I will definitely be recommending them to my friends and acquaintances. 🙂