Giedrius Savickas wants to run his own fitness centre in Dublin, but he's not allowed to.
The 29-year-old Lithuanian asylum-seeker was so keen to start his own business that he even drew up a financial plan and presented it to the Department of Justice.
But while he is eligible to work for someone else under a Government scheme brought in last July, Giedrius, like all asylum-seekers, he cannot become self-employed.
If the father of three were granted asylum tomorrow, he would then be able to set up his own business.
Giedrius, who speaks good English and has lived in Dublin since 1997, says he fears that if he began work, and the job ended after six months, he could find himself without another job for months.
He said his family currently receives about £300 a week from the State, half for rent on their house and the other half in allowances.
"I just want to live like anyone, to make money, to work, to pay for myself for everything. I prefer to pay for myself. I feel bad, but I have no other way," he said.
Giedrius emerged from the Refugee Applications Centre in Lower Mount Street in Dublin yesterday, neatly dressed and clutching a brief-case. He produced a recently-dated typed letter which he had sent to the immigration section of the Department of Justice, inquiring about the status of his asylum application which he made two years ago.
Giedrius, who lives in Palmerston, Co Dublin, says he has a degree in electrical engineering and is computer-literate. He and his wife used to run an aerobics and martial arts club in the Baltic state of Lithuania before coming to Ireland.
"It's very difficult to start something," he said. "Nothing is moving. I can't do anything until I hear about my green card."
Meanwhile, the Public Service Executive Union called on the Government to provide additional staff and proper security for workers at the Lower Mount Street premises.
Its deputy general secretary, Mr Tom McKevitt, said his members were working under severe difficulties, including constant physical threat.
He said recent criticism of his union's members was uninformed and staff were appointed to deal with a much lower number of asylum-seekers than they are currently handling.