Russian citizen in Finland left without passport, residence permit, or bank access – “It feels like discrimination”

A Russian national living in Finland has been left without a valid passport, residence permit, or access to online banking after her documents expired, making daily life increasingly difficult, Yle reports.

Ana Eva Devdariani, who moved to Finland from Russia in 2019, has been unable to renew her residence permit because she cannot obtain a new Russian passport. The embassy in Helsinki refused her application, citing an unresolved legal case in Russia over an alleged debt—one Devdariani claims she knows nothing about.

Without valid identification, she cannot access essential services, including online banking, government benefits, or even basic tasks like booking a laundry room in her apartment building. “Routine errands turn into an ordeal,” she told Yle, describing how she must buy paper tickets and use a limited-function payment card issued by Finland’s social security agency, Kela.

Devdariani fears returning to Russia due to her opposition activism, including support for the late Alexei Navalny and public criticism of the Kremlin’s policies. “I know for sure I could be arrested,” she said, noting that even minor dissent has led to detentions. In Finland, her 2023 application to extend her residence permit based on employment was denied solely because her passport had expired. She is now appealing the decision in court.

Finnish banks, including OP, acknowledge that sanctions against Russia may affect services for some customers, though they decline to comment on individual cases. Devdariani’s situation is not unique—others in Finland face similar struggles with expired Russian passports—but her case highlights the growing challenges for those caught between bureaucratic hurdles and geopolitical tensions.