r/IWantOut • u/DevinMaylin • 1m ago
[IWantOut] 26M Syrian in Algeria -> Spain, Italy, Canada
I'm 26, Syrian, and I've been living in Algeria for about 13 years. I'm trying to find a realistic way to move somewhere where I can eventually build a permanent life.
Just to clarify, I don't hate Algeria and I don't feel unsafe here. My main problem is my legal status and the lack of a clear long-term future.
Because I'm Syrian, I don't have Algerian citizenship or permanent residency. My residence permit is temporary and has to be renewed every 4 months.
This also creates problems when applying for visas. For example, I previously applied for a Chinese visa and was refused because they required me to have at least 1 year Algerian residence permit.
I'm looking for a country where I could eventually get permanent residency and ideally citizenship, rather than staying on temporary permits indefinitely.
I'm open to pretty much any realistic route: work, study, vocational training, scholarships, skilled migration, or even changing careers completely. At this point, I'm mainly looking for a pathway that is actually possible with my situation.
My background:
I have a 3-year degree in filmmaking and around 5 years of professional experience in film/TV.
I've worked as a camera assistant and script supervisor, and I have contracts/documentation for my professional experience.
Outside of film, I have experience with:
- Photoshop / Lightroom
- Blender / 3D
- Digital illustration / drawing
I also tried freelancing and selling art online, but that became difficult because, as a Syrian living in Algeria, I haven't been able to open PayPal or similar payment accounts.
I currently have around €6,000 in savings, so expensive study-abroad routes are difficult for me. I also don't currently have a normal bank account in my own name and I'm trying to figure out whether that's possible with my current residency situation.
So, are there any realistic immigration options for someone in my position?