Location: Vietnam
M23, Russian, trying to avoid returning to Russia due to my opposition to the war and a draft-related warrant from the Russian Ministry of Defense, caused by paperwork issues while I was a university student in China. I completed my degree requirements by July 2025, but I didn’t get my diploma because I failed a required language exam (HSK5). My university only issues diplomas in December or January, delaying my plans. Unable to extend my Chinese study visa, I’m now in Hanoi, Vietnam, on a 90-day e-visa (issued July, 2025, expiring around mid-October). I’m scheduled to retake the HSK5 on August 17 in Hanoi. I have a job offer in China (teaching English) that includes a work visa, but it requires my diploma. Returning to Russia is unsafe due to tightened draft laws and the risk of arrest or conscription, especially given my anti-war stance.
My goal is to pass the HSK5, get my diploma, and return to China with the work visa, while legally staying in Vietnam or another safe country until the diploma is issued (December/January).
The questions:
- What legal options do I have to extend my stay in Vietnam past mid-October while waiting for my diploma?
- Can I legally apply for a Chinese work visa from Vietnam or another nearby country, given I can’t return to Russia?
- Are there organizations or legal resources that can help with visa extensions or diploma-related delays for someone in my situation?
- What nearby countries (besides Russia) offer safe, legal options for a Russian citizen to stay temporarily until I secure my Chinese work visa?
- Any legal advice for staying safe and anonymous while navigating these issues abroad?
I’m specifically seeking legal advice or experiences from others who’ve dealt with similar visa or relocation challenges. Thank you!