The Ukrainian border for entry from Europe remains open, despite martial law. And among those entering, there are many Ukrainians who left the country in a hurry, with the documents they had at the time. Learn how to return to Ukraine safely, quickly and legally

Legal assistance on returning to Ukraine

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When planning to return to Ukraine, either permanently or for a certain period of time, you should keep in mind certain legal nuances, because just like when you leave for Europe, you cannot enter with any document.

What documents can be used to enter Ukraine?

1) Passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad;

2) Diplomatic passport of Ukraine;

3) Service passport of Ukraine;

4) Child's travel document (valid for the period for which it is issued);

5) Seafarer's identity card;

6) Crew member's identity card.

In this case, the main document for returning to Ukraine is a foreign passport. And if your passport is about to expire or has already expired, you should take care of this relevant document in advance.

How to get a passport abroad?

Due to the new law on mobilization in Ukraine, many men are now unable to obtain a passport in another country without updated military registration data. Neither through Ukrainian consulates, nor through the "Document" service.

At the same time, women and children can still apply for a new passport without any additional restrictions.

Earlier we wrote that you can still update your data in the Reserve+ app and avoid a fine. But this option is only available if you use Reserve+ for the first time.

It's also worth noting that even with updated data, obtaining a passport in another country may be difficult. After all, not all diplomatic missions abroad have resumed the logistics of documents produced in Ukraine. Detailed instructions on how to do this can be found here. However, even if someone has difficulties with obtaining a new passport, there is a way out - it is to extend the validity of the passport.

How to extend the validity of a passport in another country?

According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 28, 2022, for the period of martial law and within one year from the date of its termination or cancellation

- citizens of Ukraine may cross the state border at state border crossing points and control points on the basis of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad, the validity of which has been extended, as well as children on the basis of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad, their legal representatives, which contains information about the child.

Thus, for the duration of martial law, foreign diplomatic missions (embassies/consulates) have the opportunity to extend a passport for 5 years, as well as to enter the child's data in the parent's passport if the child's passport is also expired. After the passport is extended, it will be considered valid.

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How do I return to Ukraine if I left with an internal passport?

Leaving Ukraine with an internal passport/ID card/other document/or no document at all is also a common story. In this case, you can still return to Ukraine, but you will also need to contact the Ukrainian embassy/consulate abroad. In such a situation, diplomatic missions may issue an identity card for returning to Ukraine, and by law, it is an identity document that confirms Ukrainian citizenship and gives the right to enter Ukraine.

An example of how to apply for an identity card for returning to Ukraine or extending the validity of foreign passports can be found in the explanation of the Embassy of Ukraine in France.

It should be noted that during the period of martial law in Ukraine, no consular fee is charged, and extended passports and certificates are issued on the day of application to the diplomatic mission. If a citizen does not have any valid passport documents, a request for identity verification will be sent to the applicant's place of registration in Ukraine, which may take some time.

Requirements for men of conscription age to receive consular services

The Ministry ofForeign Affairs of Ukraine reported that starting from May 18, 2024, men aged 18 to 60 years old, in order to receive any documents and services at Ukrainian consulates abroad, along with other documents, are required to present a military ID card with updated data. Such a military ID card can be obtained through the Reserve+ application, but not in all cases.

Thus, it is impossible to obtain a passport for traveling abroad without an updated military document. However, it is worth remembering that a military ID card is not required to obtain a temporary certificate of return home.

How can men enter Ukraine after July 17?

Despite the difficult conditions for men to leave Ukraine, a certain number of men liable for military service cross the border into Ukraine for various reasons. And despite the fact that there are many myths surrounding updated data and fines, no one will be fined or detained at the border for not updating their data. However, the border guards will pass the information to the National Police of Ukraine if certain violations in the documents are found in a man of military age.

Returning to Ukraine for a short period of time

If you have a temporary protection status in a European country but want to enter Ukraine for a short period of time and then return to Europe, you should also follow certain rules that will help you not to lose your asylum and other rights in Europe.

There is an EU Directive 2001/55/ on temporary protection in the EU, which allows you to return to Ukraine on a voluntary basis without losing your status. According to this directive, no short-term trip to Ukraine should be considered by European countries as a reason for termination of temporary protection status. However, the key concept at this point is a short period, and each EU country can interpret it in its own way, although the directive defines such a period as 30 days. In addition, some European countries have strict penalty systems, and there are cases when a person returned to Ukraine from Europe and found out that he or she had to pay a fine for something. Such cases are not uncommon, but each case is different. Therefore, it is better to turn to lawyers to help you check whether a person has any fines or other debts using the available methods.

Returning to Ukraine for permanent residence and refusing temporary protection in Europe: how to avoid harm

If a person intends to return to Ukraine for permanent residence, the best option on this path is to withdraw the status of temporary protection in a particular country. Such a procedure should not be long, and temporary protection can be renewed if you return to Europe.

In case a person returns to Ukraine for permanent residence and does not withdraw the temporary protection status, the directive states that "each country has its own specifics of providing temporary protection and refugee status...", while the general rules for granting, terminating and monitoring by asylum states are almost the same.

It should be remembered that some European countries have strict penalty systems, and there are cases when a person returned to Ukraine from Europe and found out that he or she had to pay a fine for something. Such cases are not uncommon, but each case is individual. Therefore, it is better to turn to lawyers to help you check whether a person has any fines or other debts using the available methods.

Please note that the relevance of legal services on issues of not only leaving but also returning to Ukraine is growing almost every day, while it is sometimes difficult to find really qualified and experienced specialists in this matter. Experienced migration lawyers of Visit Ukraine know in advance the answers to the most common questions about crossing the border, obtaining the necessary documents for entry and exit, and are well aware that each case is individual. This is especially true for men of military age. Seek advice from trusted migration lawyers and cross the border safely and calmly.

To remind you. Earlier, we wrote about how to return to Ukraine for good and avoid unnecessary problems in Europe.

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Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can get legal advice on migration law. Our lawyers will answer all your questions and, if necessary, help you collect, submit and receive the documents you need. You can order a specialist consultation or full legal support by following this link.