The new rules for issuing passports to Ukrainian citizens abroad will come into effect on June 30, 2024. Find out what changes have been implemented and how they will affect the issuance of passports for Ukrainians outside the country

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Starting June 30, 2024, a new procedure for issuing passports for citizens abroad will come into effect in Ukraine. The relevant changes were introduced by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 648, which approves a pilot project to provide administrative services in the field of migration outside the country. This was reported by the "Sudovo-yurydychna hazeta".

The main changes in the rules for issuing a passport abroad concern men

The amendments will affect the procedure for issuing and exchanging passports of a citizen of Ukraine and a foreign passport, including the replacement of a lost or stolen passport, as well as the issuance of documents by a branch or representative office abroad of the State Enterprise “Document”. 

It is worth noting that there are currently 12 Passport Service centers abroad in Poland, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Italy, where you can get the necessary services.

For example, to obtain a Ukrainian passport or a foreign passport, men aged 18 to 60 need to have military registration documents. These can be a certificate of registration with a military enlistment office, a military ID card, or a temporary certificate of a person liable for military service.

Issuance of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine abroad: general provisions

Issuance and exchange of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine under the new procedure will be carried out in the following cases:

1. For the first time after reaching the age of 14

2. Upon acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by birth

3. For persons who have left Ukraine since February 24, 2022 and apply for a passport for the first time after reaching the age of 18

4. In case of loss or theft of a passport

5. In cases stipulated by the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 302 (for example, change of information in the passport, detection of an error, expiration of validity, etc.)

6. For persons permanently residing abroad

A foreign passport is issued in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 152, taking into account the requirements of the new Resolution No. 648. That is, for men between the ages of 18 and 60, it is mandatory to have military registration documents.

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Identification procedure

The identification procedure will be carried out via video conferencing with the participation of the applicant and his family members. The presence of the applicant in the separate unit during the identification procedure is mandatory. Before the videoconference, the SMS employee obtains the applicant's consent to the procedure, which is recorded in the video.

Exchange of a document instead of a lost passport abroad

In order to obtain a passport to replace a lost or stolen one, a person must provide a document confirming the fact of applying to the competent authorities of the state in which the theft occurred, with a translation into Ukrainian and certified in the prescribed manner.

We remind you! Ukraine has abolished the “residence abroad” exception, meaning that now men with a special stamp in their passports and permanent residence outside Ukraine have lost the right to cross the border freely. Read more about the new rules and changes in this article.

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

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.