Men with many children travelling abroad: rules in 2025

In 2025, the rules for travelling abroad for men with many children remain regulated by the current legislation, which provides for a number of requirements for obtaining a permit. Having three or more children is an important condition, but not sufficient without the relevant documents. Learn more about the current rules for crossing the border for men with many children and the procedure for legal departure

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4 paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Mobilisation Training and Mobilisation’ clearly states that men who have three or more dependent children under the age of 18 are not subject to call-up for military service during mobilisation. Accordingly, a father with many children cannot be mobilised, and he has the right to leave Ukraine freely. This is true, but with certain procedural nuances.

To find out which men have the right to travel abroad in 2025, please follow the link.

How does a man with many children get the right to cross the border?

The main criterion that will allow a father with many children to obtain a deferral and the right to cross the border is not the presence of three or more children under the age of 18, but the documented fact that the father is raising and/or supporting minor children. It does not matter whether the man's children are from the same marriage or different marriages. The right to deferment also applies to guardians and adoptive parents who are able to certify the fact of supporting three or more children under the age of 18. This is stated in paragraph 26 of the Border Crossing Rules.

How can a father with many children prove the fact of child support?

If a man does not live with his children for some legitimate reason, he must prove to the TCC that he supports each of his minor children in order to defer the stay. This can be a court decision on child support and a certificate from the executive service on the current status of payment if the man is officially divorced from the child's mother. If a man is in arrears on alimony for more than 3 months, he loses the right to deferment.

Therefore, according to the current legislation, a father with many children must first of all apply to the TCC to prove his right to deferral.

Can a man with many children go abroad without children?

Yes, fathers with many children who have three or more dependent children under the age of 18 may travel abroad unaccompanied by their children.

To do so, they must provide documents at the border confirming the children's support, such as the children's birth certificates or notarised copies thereof. If the father does not live with the children, additional documents confirming their support are required, such as a court decision on the award of alimony and a certificate from the executive service confirming that there are no arrears in the payment of alimony.

You can lose your mobilisation deferment for non-payment of alimony. Can it be renewed?

According to the law on mobilisation, there are sanctions for parents with many children who evade child support payments. Such persons lose the right to deferment and, therefore, to cross the border.

TCCs submit inquiries to the State Register of Debtors and Enforcement Proceedings, after which they will receive a relevant certificate for each person.

Persons who have an alimony debt of more than 3 months may be mobilised, as the right to deferral is considered lost. If the right to deferral is lost, it can be restored after the debt is paid in full.

Crossing the border with a child in 2025: updated rules and necessary documents are available here.

Deferred action for parents with many children: what documents are required for TCC and JV?

Men who are entitled to a deferment of mobilisation due to the presence of 3 or more children must provide the relevant package of documents to the MCC and JCC:

1. Birth certificates of three or more minor children with indication of paternity of the person liable for military service in each of them and one of the following documents

- a certificate of registration of marriage with the mother/father of three or more children under the age of 18;

- or a court decision on divorce and determination of the place of residence of children with their father/mother;

- or a decision of the guardianship and custody authority to determine the place of residence with the parent who is liable for military service;

- or a written agreement between the parents on who the children will live with and the participation of the other parent in their upbringing and maintenance;

- or a court decision establishing the fact that a child is dependent on a person liable for military service in accordance with the provisions of

Article 315 of the Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Remote deferment through Reserve+ for parents with many children

Please note that fathers with many children are included in the list of categories of men who can obtain a deferment online through the Reserve+ application. However, this option is currently available only to men who have three minor children in a joint marriage.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine notes that it plans to expand the functionality for other categories of large families after integration with the Unified Register of Debtors. To obtain a deferment, you need to install or update the Reserve+ application, log in and submit an application.

After the data is verified, the deferment status will be displayed in the user's electronic military record.

At present, automatic deferment (not to be confused with booking) is available for the following categories:

- Full-time students;

- Parents with many children raising/supporting three or more children.

These categories of persons liable for military service can get a deferment in the Reserve+ programme, as state registers already contain all the necessary data proving the right to deferment. Thus, a birth certificate, civil status, information on family ties, and a student ID card can be pulled up in Diia and Reserve+ through state registers.

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What documents do men with many children need to cross the border?

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

2. A certificate (valid if you have a military ID) of deferral with the reasons and terms specified;

3. Birth certificates of all three children and more children under the age of 18;

Also, under certain circumstances, border guards will ask you to present:

1. Certificate of marriage registration with the mother of the children (three or more children under 18);

2. A court decision on divorce and determination of the children's place of residence with the father;

3. A court decision on divorce and a decision of the guardianship and custody authority on determining the place of residence of the children with the father;

4. Certificate of the father of a large family;

5. Court decision on deprivation of parental rights of one of the parents;

6. Death certificate of the child's mother;

7. A court decision to take the child from the mother without depriving her of parental rights;

8. A court decision declaring the mother missing;

9. Certificate from the executive service on payment of alimony

A man of military age who has three or more minor children in his care may travel abroad even without the physical presence of the children. He just needs to present the relevant documents or their notarised copies at the border.

If the man does not live with his children, the border may also ask for proof of their support, including a notarised statement from the mother that she does not owe child support.

In our previous article, we wrote about the rules for men with disabilities travelling abroad in 2025.

Border crossing rules for parents with many children: important nuances

The rules for crossing the border for fathers with many children are regulated by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 57, which defines the basic requirements during martial law and general mobilisation. To travel abroad, men between the ages of 18 and 60 must present a military registration document with an up-to-date VIN number and a record of deferment to border guards. The mere fact of having three or more children is not a sufficient reason for crossing the border without a relevant document.

Persons entitled to deferment are required to apply to the territorial centre for recruitment and social support to obtain a military registration document, which is read at the border using a special device for checking the electronic personal file.

It should also be borne in mind that men who have two children under the age of 18 and a wife pregnant with a third child cannot receive a deferral from mobilisation until the birth of the third child.

When considering applications for deferment from parents with many children, territorial recruitment and social support centres do not refer such persons for a medical examination by a military medical commission (MMC). A referral can be issued only after a decision on deferment or after a reasoned refusal.

Where to go if you are not allowed to cross the border?

If a man with many children has the necessary documents, but representatives of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine refused to let him cross the border, he has the right to appeal the refusal of the border guards. There are two ways to do so:

1. To file a complaint with the main body of the State Border Guard Service that issued the decision to refuse to cross the border (within 30 days after the refusal - free of charge, after a month - with payment of a fee for consideration of the case).

2. File a lawsuit with the district administrative court to declare the actions of the Border Guard Service unlawful in refusing to allow you to cross the border (can be filed within 6 months of the refusal).

How to file a complaint with the main body of the State Border Guard Service?

The complaint shall be submitted in writing, stating:

1. Contact details;

2. The border crossing point at which you were refused to cross the border;

3. The grounds on which the refusal was received.

The application must be accompanied by documents confirming the right to leave Ukraine.

How do I file a lawsuit in court if I am refused permission to cross the border?

A lawsuit is filed under Article 160 of the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine to the administrative court at the place of residence of the plaintiff or defendant. The complaint must include:

1. Documents confirming the right to leave during martial law;

2. A copy of the refusal to grant permission to cross the border;

3. Receipt of payment of the court fee.

Visit Ukraine's lawyers remind that during martial law, mobilisation and military registration are obligatory, while postponement and border crossing are a right that every citizen liable for military service can exercise under certain conditions. To avoid legal misunderstandings and get clear answers to all questions, it is important to have reliable legal support. Migration lawyers of Visit Ukraine are ready to provide professional advice on travelling abroad and other important issues.

Book a consultation with leading experts on the Visit Ukraine portal right now!

Just a reminder! All citizens liable for military service cannot cross the border without presenting a military registration document with an up-to-date VIN code and a corresponding record of deferment. Read more about the current rules and how to cross the border accompanied by persons with disabilities here.

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