In the second reading, the Verkhovna Rada began considering amendments to the draft law on mobilization, which proposes changes to the rules for obtaining a passport abroad for men. Find out how the new rules will affect the process of obtaining consular services and whether men face deportation from abroad

Legal assistance for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

On April 10, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine began considering draft law No. 10449 on mobilization in the second reading. One of the updated provisions to be considered in the parliamentary hall concerns changes to the rules for men to obtain a new passport abroad. Thus, the lawmakers supported the provision that "a person who is abroad will have to provide a military registration document when applying for a new passport." 

At the same time, the issue of the possible deportation of men from abroad when they apply to consular offices, allegedly as part of mobilization measures, is being actively discussed online. However, according to Iryna Friz, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, these are just false rumors. She explained in detail why men abroad need military registration documents and whether they will be deported to Ukraine on the air of Radio Svoboda.

You can read what the draft law prepared by the Verkhovna Rada Committee for the second reading looks like here.

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

Applying to consular offices abroad and updating data: explanations from the authorities

According to Iryna Friz, the provision of consular services for persons liable for military service abroad will be carried out simultaneously with the updating of data and there is no question of deportation.

That is, the provision of consular services will indeed be subject to the availability of military registration documents, but this measure is necessary solely for military registration so that the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff have an understanding of how many citizens are currently abroad. Applicants will need to indicate their place of residence and contact details.

"The provision of consular services will take place within 60 days of the entry into force of this law with the simultaneous updating of data. That is, a man of military age can come to receive consular services within these 60 days and can update his data. They have to indicate their place of residence and contact details so that the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff have a clear understanding of how many citizens are abroad," explained Friz.

At the same time, the MP emphasized that there is no mechanism for deporting men during martial law.

"According to the current legislation, both Ukrainian and international, there is no mechanism for deporting people during martial law from other countries. No deportation will take place. It is only necessary for military registration for the Ministry of Defense," she assured.

As a reminder, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on the e-cabinet of persons liable for military service (draft law No. 10062). Read our previous article to find out what data will be collected and how the conscript's e-cabinet and the Army+ app will work.

Photo: Depositphotos