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03 Aug. 2024

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Rules for leaving Ukraine for citizens in 2024: what you need to know, required documents and who may be refused

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Rules for leaving Ukraine for citizens in 2024: what you need to know, required documents and who may be refused

Due to the martial law and restrictions imposed in Ukraine as part of the general mobilization, certain categories of citizens are not allowed to travel outside Ukraine. Find out what rules for leaving Ukraine are relevant in 2024 and what documents you need to have to cross the state border

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Do you need legal advice? Order the "Private lawyer" service online — quickly and professionally
BUY

Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country has been under martial law, which provides for special rules for civilians to travel abroad. In particular, conscripted men aged 18 to 60 cannot cross the border. Also, after the approval of the new Law on Mobilization, they began to talk about introducing restrictions on traveling abroad for women who have a certain specialty and profession.

Which of these is true? What are the actual limitations? We will tell you about the current rules for crossing the border and the documents required for departure.


Find out all about the rules for obtaining a work visa, its types and the documents required here.


Find the answer to the question whether it is possible to cross the Ukrainian border without a foreign passport in 2024 in this article.


How to apply for a foreign passport outside of Ukraine in 2024, we have described here.


Rules for leaving Ukraine for men in 2024


IMPORTANT: From July 17, 2024, the presence of a military registration document is a mandatory condition for crossing the border by men aged 18 to 60. You can submit both a paper and an electronic version of the document. In the absence of a military registration document, crossing the border to leave Ukraine will be refused.


What categories of men can go abroad?


1. Men who are not subject to conscription:

The provisions of the law on mobilization do not change the border crossing rules for men aged 18 to 60, which are regulated by Resolution No. 57 of the CMU.

Men who are not subject to conscription are allowed to leave Ukraine - men over 60 years old, as well as young men who have not yet turned 18 years old, because in Ukraine the age of conscripts is from 18 to 60 years old.


2. Conscripts who have the right to a deferment:

- Men whose close relatives (wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brothers or sisters, etc.) died or went missing during the anti-terrorist operation or during the containment of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine during martial law.

- Men removed from military registration due to their health.

- Men with disabilities of I, II, III groups.

- Men accompanying a person with a disability of the I or II group or a sick relative.

- Men with many children, supporting three or more minor children. Arrears for payment of alimony for more than three months deprive the right to postponement and crossing the border.

- Men raising children on their own.

- Men with permanent residence abroad.

- Men (military servicemen) going for treatment, rehabilitation or training.

- Men of certain professions, the list of which we provided below in this article.


3. Representatives of certain professions:

- Members of the ship's crew going to work on seagoing vessels and inland waterway vessels.

- Aviation personnel going on a business trip or training.

- Employees of railway transport.

- Military personnel undergoing military training abroad.

- Military personnel going on vacation (with permission from the military unit).

- Employees of the diplomatic service who are sent on official or long-term business trips and members of their families.

- Drivers of vehicles licensed for international transportation of passengers and cargo.

- Coaches and athletes to participate in official competitions and training meetings.

- Volunteer drivers who transport humanitarian aid, cargo for the Armed Forces and medical cargo.

- Culture workers (hosts, artists, showmen) for charitable fundraising for the Armed Forces.


List of documents for men to travel abroad


1. Passport of a citizen of Ukraine.

2. Foreign passport.

3. Documents confirming the reason for and the possibility of going abroad: extract from the protocol of the TCC with the adopted decision on postponement, the conclusion of the MSEK on recognizing a person temporarily unfit for military service due to his health for a period of up to 6 months, military registration documents with a record of postponement - temporary license or military card, etc.


A detailed list of documents for traveling abroad for each category of men is in this article.


Comment Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko:


"For men who have the right to cross the border due to a postponement, this norm must be noted in their military registration documents. And also, if the border guards have any doubts or reservations, including the document in general, they can check this information through the "Oberig" system.

If we talk about drivers who transport goods or passengers who transport humanitarian aid, in addition to the military registration document, information in the "Slyah" system is required, as well as administrative documents and confirmation of the purpose of the trip."


Rules for women leaving Ukraine in 2024


Changes in border crossing rules following the approval of the new Mobilization Law apply only to men, and therefore no restrictions are foreseen for women in connection with the entry into force of the new Mobilization Law. Ukrainian women can freely cross the state border, both for exit and entry.


List of documents for women to travel abroad


1. Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure)
2. Insurance policy
3. Visa or confirmation documents for visa-free entry (depending on the country to which Ukrainian women are going), etc.


Comment Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko:


"Border restrictions apply only to male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 60. Therefore, Ukrainian women can freely travel outside the state."


Departure from Ukraine for students in 2024


On April 2, 2024, Resolution No. 366 On Amending the "Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine" was adopted, which allowed male students to leave:


- Whose age is from 18 to 22 years old, therefore they are not subject to conscription for military service during mobilization.

- Study full-time in higher education institutions of Ukraine of state or communal ownership and obtain a bachelor's degree (master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary field).

- They are participants in educational academic mobility.

- They go to study in foreign educational institutions for a period of 1 semester.


However, it is worth noting that this category of citizens must also update their data in the TCC and have military registration documents with the appropriate markings.


Comment Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko:


"Students are prohibited from leaving the borders of Ukraine during martial law. Apart from a small category of students between the ages of 18 and 22 who go abroad for the purpose of academic mobility.”




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Rules for leaving Ukraine with children in 2024


During martial law, numerous formalities regarding the departure of children abroad were simplified. According to the legislation of Ukraine, children under the age of 16 are allowed to travel outside of Ukraine only when accompanied by an adult. Depending on the degree of kinship, it is necessary to provide a certain list of documents.


Documents for traveling abroad with a child


1. One of the parents or guardians: the notarized consent of the other parent is not required, it is enough to have a birth certificate or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old.

2. Close relatives: grandmother, grandfather, stepmother, stepfather, adult brothers and sisters. You must have a birth certificate or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old, as well as documents confirming family ties. Notarized parental permission is not required. However, it is necessary to submit a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority.

3. Third parties: you must have a birth certificate or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old, as well as relevant documents confirming the identity of an adult. In addition, the written consent of one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority, is required to cross the border. A notarized permission for the child to travel abroad is also suitable. The notarized consent requires the original passports of both parents, their RNOKPP, as well as the child's birth certificate.


Read how to apply for a passport for a child and how much it costs in 2024 here.


Traveling abroad with pets


Traveling abroad with your pet will be easy if you prepare the necessary documents in advance and provide your furry friend with comfortable conditions.

To travel to Europe, your pet must have a number of vaccinations and supporting documents:

1. Preparation should start with chipping (identification of the pet with a microchip).
2. Rabies vaccination - vaccination should be carried out only in a veterinary clinic.
3. Rabies titer test - a laboratory test that allows you to determine the degree of antibodies against rabies, that is, to find out if your pet is protected after vaccination.
4. European passport issued by state veterinary institutions. The document is filled out in English and Ukrainian and is valid for the rest of the animal's life.

Read more about the documents, vaccinations, and transportation requirements here. You can also read the rules for returning Ukrainian citizens with pets to their homeland.

What checkpoints are there on the border of Ukraine?


First, it should be noted that currently, border crossing is possible only through land checkpoints on the western border of our country - with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

Checkpoints Ukraine - Poland


Border crossing points between Ukraine and Poland operate around the clock. As a rule, the longest queues are at the checkpoints: Ustyluh, Shehyni, Uhryniv, Rava-Ruska, Krakivets.


● Yahodyn – Dorohusk: only trucks and buses are allowed to cross, cars are temporarily not allowed;

 Ustyluh – Zosyn: vehicle crossing point;

● Uhryniv – Dolobychiv: vehicle crossing point;

● Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne: vehicle crossing point;

 Hrushev – Budomyr: vehicle checkpoint;

● Krakivets – Korczowa: vehicle pass;

● Shehyni – Medyka: a pass for vehicles and those planning to cross the border on foot;

● Smiltsi – Korostenka: vehicle crossing point;

 Nyzhankovychi – Malhowice: only for trucks with a permissible maximum weight of more than 7.5 tons, without cargo (except for tanks, for dangerous goods, including fuels and lubricants).


Check the queues at the border crossing points with Poland


▶︎ to enter Ukraine;

▶︎ to leave Ukraine.


Checkpoints Ukraine - Slovakia


All but one checkpoint (Mali Selmentsi: from 09:00 to 21:00) is open around the clock. The longest queues are usually at the Uzhhorod checkpoint.


● Maly Berezny – Ubl'a: vehicle and pedestrian crossing point;

● Uzhhorod – Vysne Nemecke: vehicle crossing point;

● Mali Selmentsi – Velke Slemence: pass for pedestrians and cyclists.


Check the queues at the checkpoints with Slovakia


▶︎ to enter Ukraine;

▶︎ to leave Ukraine.


Checkpoints Ukraine - Hungary


Checkpoints on the border with Hungary have different opening hours. The longest queues are usually at the Tisa checkpoint.


● Tisa (Chop) – Záhony: vehicle crossing point / open around the clock;

● Dzvinkove – Lonya: vehicle and pedestrian crossing point / open from 08:00 to 19:00;

● Kosyno – Barabash: pass for cars and pedestrians / open from 08:00 to 20:00;

● Luzhanka – Beregsurany: vehicle and pedestrian crossing / open around the clock;

● Vylok – Tisabeč: vehicle and pedestrian crossing / open around the clock.


Check the queues at the checkpoints with Hungary


▶︎ to enter Ukraine;

▶︎ to leave Ukraine.


Checkpoints Ukraine - Romania


All checkpoints are open around the clock. The longest queues are usually at the Dyakove checkpoint.


● Dyakove – Halmeu: vehicle checkpoint;

● Solotvyno – Sighetu Marmatiei: vehicles and pedestrians crossing;

 Krasnoilsk – Vicova de Sousa: vehicle and pedestrian crossing;

 Porubne – Siret: vehicular and pedestrian traffic;

● Dyakivtsi – Rakovets: vehicles (except for trucks) and pedestrians.


Check the queues at the checkpoints with Romania


▶︎ to enter Ukraine;

▶︎ to leave Ukraine.


Checkpoints Ukraine - Moldova


All checkpoints operate around the clock. The longest queues are usually at the Rososhany checkpoint.


 Rososhany – Briceni: vehicles and pedestrians are allowed to cross;

● Mamalyha – Kryva: vehicles and pedestrians crossing;

● Kelmentsi – Larga: vehicular and pedestrian traffic;

● Sokyryany – Oknytsia: vehicles and pedestrians crossing.

● Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach: vehicles are allowed to cross;

● Bronnytsia – Ungur: vehicle crossing.


Check the queues at the checkpoints with Moldova


▶︎ to enter Ukraine;

▶︎ to leave Ukraine.


We remind you! The health insurance policy is not only a mandatory document when traveling abroad, it also serves as a reliable shield in case of unforeseen situations outside of Ukraine. Therefore, when planning a trip abroad, make sure you have a policy from a reliable insurance agent. You can order via the link.


It is worth noting that the rules for crossing the border and the list of documents for departure change quite dynamically. Always read up-to-date information on the Visit Ukraine portal in the "News" section.






Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine


To get comprehensive information on the current rules for crossing the state border, use the legal support on our service. Our lawyers will answer all your questions and help you solve your urgent issues.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).




Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 


Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.




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