The new law on mobilization has changed the rules for crossing the border for men. Find out which categories of men can leave Ukraine without hindrance and what documents they need to have

Legal advice for Ukrainians

Get

The new law on mobilization in Ukraine came into force on May 18, 2024. It introduced certain changes to the system of registration of persons liable for military service, the procedure for passing the VVK, as well as the rules for crossing the border. We tell you which men have the right to travel abroad in 2024 and what documents are needed for this?

New rules for men crossing the border: what has changed for the summer of 2024?

Crossing the border by men from May 18, 2024 is regulated by the new rules of the law “On mobilization”. Now employees of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine check the availability of military registration documents of all persons who have the right to leave according to paragraph 2-6 of the Rules of crossing the state border of Ukraine.

That is, when planning to leave Ukraine from now on, most categories of men need to clarify their data in advance in the TCC and SP and enter information about deferment in their military registration document.

For which citizens the presence of military registration documents when crossing the border is mandatory and what are the exceptions read the link.

Pay attention! According to the new law, the military registration document must have a VIN-code. It is it that must be presented at the request of representatives of the TCC, police and border guards. Therefore, persons liable for military duty who have the right to travel abroad must come to the TCC and receive a military registration document with a VIN-code, which is then read with special devices by border guards and thus get access to the personal file of the person liable for military duty in electronic form. The VIN-code can also be pasted into an old-style military ticket - the legislation does not prohibit this.

Which men of conscription age have the right to travel abroad

The provisions of the law on mobilization do not change the rules for crossing the border for men from 18 to 60 years old, which are regulated by the CMU Decree № 57. And so, to travel outside of Ukraine is allowed to men who are not subject to conscription or have the right to deferment. Of course, if they can prove it with appropriate documents.

First of all, men over 60 years old have the right to travel outside of Ukraine, because in Ukraine the age of persons liable for military service is from 18 to 60 years old.

Interesting! Conscription age in Ukraine is planned to be reduced to 50 years.

Men whose close relatives died or went missing in the war

This can be a wife, son, daughter, father, mother, siblings, if such were killed or missing in action during the ATO or during the containment of armed aggression against Ukraine during martial law.

List of documents for traveling abroad for men whose relatives died or went missing in the war

- Documents confirming family ties;

- Documented fact of death or missing close relatives;

- A certificate of deferment from military service (corresponding mark in military registration documents), which is issued by the TCC or SP.

Men excluded from military registration

List of documents for departure: men of this category, in addition to the standard set of documents, certificate from the TCC and military registration document, must have a certificate of disability or a decision of the medical commission on unfitness for military service. At the same time, men with limited fitness for service cannot leave Ukraine during martial law.

List of documents for traveling abroad for men excluded from the register

- certificate of disability or conclusion of the military medical commission (VMC), confirming the status of unsuitability for military service for up to 6 months.

Men with disabilities of group I, II, III

Disability of men is the basis for exclusion from military registration and gives the right to travel abroad if the necessary documents are available.

List of documents for traveling abroad for men with disabilities

- Certificate of Form No. 157-1/o;

- A certificate confirming the status of a disabled person/pension certificate/document confirming the appointment of social assistance.

Please note. The disability document must be obtained in Ukraine. If the disability group was assigned abroad - a person will not be able to leave Ukraine.

Men who accompany a person with disability group I or II

This category of men has the right to travel abroad as an accompanying person when traveling abroad with a disabled person. If such a person tries to cross the border on his own, even with all the necessary documents, the departure will be denied. These rules also apply to those who leave Ukraine to care for sick parents, wife or children.

List of documents for traveling abroad for men who care for a disabled person

- Conclusion of the MSEC or medical advisory commission on granting a disability group to the person who is accompanying;

- ID card of a disabled person/pension card of the person being accompanied;

- Documents confirming family ties between the man and the person he is accompanying;

- Proof that the husband has received social compensation from the state for care, if such compensation is provided by law;

- A military registration document with an up-to-date VIN and a note of deferment under the relevant article;

- Certificate of deferment (valid only in the presence of VOD)

Men with many children who have three or more minor children

A man who has three or more children can cross the border without children if he has the relevant documents or their notarized copies.

If a man does not live with his children, he must provide evidence that he has them: a court decision on alimony and a certificate from the executive service, which confirms the state of payment of alimony.

Arrears in payment of alimony for more than three months deprive the rights to deferment and border crossing.

Given that all men should have updated personal data in the TCK and SP, so this category of citizens also needs to pass the VVK and get the appropriate mark in their document.

List of documents for traveling abroad for men with many children

- Birth certificates of all children;

- Marriage certificate/dissolution of marriage;

- Decision of the guardianship authority or a certificate of the father of a large family.

Pay attention! The list of required documents to confirm the right to deferment on the basis of guardianship over three or more children has expanded. The new resolution additionally requires an agreement between the man and his former spouses that he participates in the maintenance of his minor children. Details at the link.

Men who are raising children on their own

Men who raise children on their own have the right to cross the border accompanied by such a child and without it, if there are the necessary documents for this.

List of documents for departure of men who raise children independently

- Birth certificate of the child;

- A death certificate of the mother, or a court decision to deprive the mother of parental rights, or a document declaring the mother missing or declaring the mother dead.

Men accompanying sick children

Such men may accompany children/children who have disabilities, as well as children/children who do not have disabilities but have severe illnesses, perinatal lesions of the nervous system, oncology, congenital malformations, rare orphan diseases, cerebral palsy, severe mental disorders, type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, acute or chronic kidney disease of the IV degree. Men may also accompany a child/children who has received a serious injury or who needs an organ transplant, which is confirmed by a document issued by a medical advisory commission in the order and form established by the Ministry of Health.

Documents for crossing the border by men accompanying sick children

- Certificates of receipt of state aid for a child who is ill with serious illnesses;

- Document issued by the medical advisory commission with the diagnosis of the child;

- Documents confirming family ties with the child (birth certificate);

- If the child is accompanied by a guardian, custodian, foster parents, or foster parents, documents confirming the authority of the person accompanying the child are required;

- A military registration document with an up-to-date VIN;

Military personnel traveling abroad for medical treatment, rehabilitation or training

If a serviceman is traveling for military exercises - the military unit that sends him abroad informs about the package of documents required for this purpose.

List of documents for traveling abroad for military personnel who are going for treatment/rehabilitation/training

- Referral for treatment abroad;

- A letter from the Ministry of Health that the foreign health care institution accepts him for treatment;

- Military ID card

Male drivers who travel under the “Shlyakh” system

Drivers who carry out international transportation or delivery of humanitarian goods can travel abroad under the Shlyakh system. The State Border Guard Service officers carry out checks on men aged 18-60 through this government service.

However, from July 17, 2024, a military registration document is also mandatory for this category of men. The document can be both paper and electronic.

Attention! If the driver does not have a military registration document, border guards will refuse to cross the state border to leave Ukraine even if all other documents are available.

Also the basis for refusal will be the presence in the Unified State Register of conscripts, persons liable for military duty and reservists of information on the submission of such a person in the search by the National Police.

List of documents for travel under the Shlyakh system

- License for international transportation of goods of the company where the driver works;

- Military registration document of the current sample;

- License of the appropriate category and sample

Information about the organization that sends the driver on a business trip must be obligatory entered into the information system of Ukrtransbezopasnost on the basis of the carrier's application.

Male volunteers

For men engaged in volunteer activities, travel abroad under the “Shlyakh” program is also provided. Volunteers can also submit documents for transportation of cargo for the AFU, medical cargo or humanitarian aid.

List of documents for volunteers to travel abroad

- Information about the volunteer's enrollment in the Shlyakh system;

- Military registration document of the current sample;

- License of the appropriate category and sample (if the volunteer drives a vehicle).

Male railroad workers and sailors

List of documents for departure: in order to cross the border, a person must work on international flights and provide, along with the standard package of documents: employment contract, a letter from the ship owner or operator on the intention to conclude a contract.

Male athletes and coaches

This category of men has the right to cross the border only upon the decision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports on inclusion in the composition of participants of a sporting event or competition. Or by the letter of the Minister about participation of these persons in competitions.

Men who work in the cultural sector

Men who work in the cultural sector are entitled to travel abroad only after receiving the appropriate permission from the Ministry of Culture and an official request for travel, as well as an invitation from the organizer of the event.

Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

Men restricted fit for military service: do they have the right to travel?

The wording “restricted fit” has not been excluded from the list of categories of men with the right to deferment from military service, but this wording alone does not give the right to cross the border.

Men of conscription age, who have in their military card have a record “unfit for military service in peacetime, limited fit in wartime” do not have the right to travel abroad during the martial law in Ukraine. After all, part 1 of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On mobilization preparation and mobilization” this category of men are subject to conscription for military service - rear, in supply depots and the like.

If a man has only a mark from TCC and SP “removed from military registration” - this is not a reason to cross the border without hindrance. Since it does not confirm the fact of disability or unsuitability for military service in the military service center for health reasons. Therefore, you should apply to TCC and SP for the relevant documents.

Travel abroad for students in 2024

According to the government decision of April 2, 2024, undergraduate students of Ukrainian universities aged 18 to 22 years will be able to go abroad for internships. We are talking about masters of medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary direction.

To travel abroad in 2024, students must:

- Study full-time in institutions of higher education of Ukraine state or communal forms of ownership and receive a bachelor's degree (master's degree of medical, pharmaceutical or veterinary direction).

- Be participants of educational academic mobility.

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

Note! This category of citizens must also update their data in the TCC and have military registration documents with appropriate marks.

Important! It is the border guards at the border crossing point who decide whether to let a person subject to military duty through or not based on the analysis of all the documents of the person.

Answers to frequently asked questions about crossing the border by men

What laws regulate men traveling abroad during martial law in Ukraine?

The rules of crossing the border by men of conscription age during martial law are regulated by the following legislative norms:

1. “Rules for crossing the state border by citizens of Ukraine”, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 27.01.1995 No. 57

2. Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 64/2022 dated February 24, 2022 “On Introduction of Martial Law in Ukraine”

3 Presidential Decree No. 65/2022 of 24 February 2022 on general mobilization

4 Law of Ukraine “On the Procedure for the Departure from and Entry into Ukraine of Citizens of Ukraine”.

5. Law of Ukraine “On mobilization preparation and mobilization”.

Also note that all questions that relate to military registration and obtaining other documents for traveling abroad should be solved here.

The new military ticket: how does it differ from the old military ID and is it the only valid one?

A new-style military ticket is executed and issued in two forms:

1) In paper form - on an A5 form, the form of which is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 559.

2) In electronic form - using Reserve + or the State Web Portal of electronic public services and on the portal “Dia”.

The new military ticket must necessarily have a VIN-code (a barcode on the military registration document, which leads to the data in the “Oberig” system). At the same time, the legislation of Ukraine does not directly oblige to have a military ticket of a new sample. Consequently, in the old-form VOD, the TCC employees can paste the current VIN-code, which will equate the military document to one that complies with the legal regulations of Ukraine. VIN-code can be pasted both in the military ticket “booklet” and in the so-called “certificate in lieu of a military ticket”, which were actively issued to persons liable for military duty until 2011.

Can those “excluded from military registration” travel abroad?

Yes, men who have a mark “Dismissed from the military registration” in their military registration document have the right to cross the border if they have the necessary documents.

Can a man who does not live with his children in the same family go abroad?

Yes, he can. To do this, it is necessary to provide first to the TCC, and then to the border guards, proof of child support. This can be a court decision on the appointment of alimony, a certificate from the executive service on the absence of arrears in the payment of alimony and the like.

Also parents of three or more children can cross the border without the children themselves, but in the presence of birth certificates of these children and provide notarized copies of the certificates.

Can men who permanently reside abroad and decided to come to Ukraine cross the border without hindrance?

Effective June 1, 2024, Ukraine abolished the “residence abroad” exemption for men aged 18 to 60. This applies to those who permanently reside outside of Ukraine and have the appropriate marks in their documents on leaving for permanent residence. Such persons can no longer leave Ukraine, even if they have other citizenship. This information was confirmed by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Can men who have a work visa of an EU country leave Ukraine?

Men who have an EU work visa cannot travel abroad, because the visa does not allow citizens of Ukraine who are liable for military service to travel.

Can men with dual citizenship travel abroad?

The law of Ukraine does not allow dual citizenship. Therefore, a person who has the citizenship of Ukraine and another state, is still considered a citizen of Ukraine and therefore the procedure for crossing the border should be decided in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.

What to do if a man with the right to exit is refused to cross the border?

Once again we remind you that since July 17, 2024, the presence of a military registration document is a

a mandatory condition for crossing the border for men between the ages of 18 and 60. It is possible to present both paper and electronic versions of the document. In the absence of a military registration document, crossing the border to leave Ukraine will be denied.

According to part 1 of article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Border Control” and the order of the State Border Guard Service Administration No. 967 of 14.12. 2010, the decision to refuse to cross the state border of Ukraine to a citizen of Ukraine has certain peculiarities, among which are as follows:

- The decision must be justified and contain clear reasons for refusal;

- The decision on refusal to cross the state border must be made in writing and accordingly executed in two copies - for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and for the person who was denied exit.

- If the person refuses to sign the decision on refusal to cross the border, an act is drawn up;

- The decision on refusal to cross the border must have the name and address of the state border protection body where the refusal was made.

A person who has been refused to cross the state border has the right to appeal against this decision, according to part 1 of article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Border Control”. To do this, you can appeal to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Appeals of Citizens”, or to the court.

At the same time, appealing against the decision does not stop its validity.

Hotline and other contacts of the State Tax Service of Ukraine

1) 1598 is a multi-channel number of the STSU for free calls from Ukraine;

2) 38 (044) 527-63-63 - city number

3) [email protected] - to receive consultations using e-mail in online mode (response within three working days).

4) 0 800 505 063 - a special line for relatives of servicemen who do not contact for a long time

5)Telegram bot of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine - .

Recall! The Ministry of Defense launched a new service that allows you to sign up for an electronic queue in the TCC. Read more, in which cities already works online enrollment, how to use it and what documents are required for a visit to the TCC.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world 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.

© 2018-2024, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.