My name is Olga, and I am an artist from Belarus.
In 2021 I was forced to leave Belarus, and relocated to the UK on a student visa and a graduate visa after. However, this visa is set to expire soon, and I am applying for a Global Talent visa, which will allow me to stay in the UK and work freely as an independent artist.
I am raising funds to cover the costs of the application, including the endorsement fee, visa application fee, and NHS surcharge.
The breakdown is:
£524 for the endorsement
£192 for the visa itself
£1,035 per year for the healthcare surcharge (5 years is a set amount on this route which equals £5,175)
As someone who has always prided herself on self-sufficiency, asking for help with something so personal is incredibly difficult. However, without this visa, I face an uncertain future as a refugee having nowhere to go.
The situation in Belarus remains dangerous. Returning home is not an option due to the severe risk of persecution and imprisonment. Therefore, I am committed to staying in the UK, where I can safely develop art projects on topics close to my heart, such as democracy, human rights, mental health, cultural heritage, and diversity.
Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference in helping me remain in a place that I can call my second home.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can offer.
With sincere gratitude,
Olga