Travelling abroad for 17-year-olds: what are the rules and who can be denied?
Ukrainian citizens under the age of majority can cross the border without restrictions, but there are cases when they may not be allowed to leave Ukraine. Find out what grounds give border guards the right to refuse to allow such persons to leave
Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, travel abroad has been restricted for men of mobilisation age. Citizens under the age of 18 can freely move across the border. However, even 17-year-old men may have problems travelling abroad. We'll tell you what we mean below.
According to Ukrainian law, teenagers who are already 16 years old can travel abroad unaccompanied by their parents. At the same time, children under the age of 16 may leave Ukraine accompanied by one of their parents, and the permission of the other parent is not required.
Rules for 17-year-olds travelling abroad
A person aged 17 does not need additional permission from their parents to cross the border. Such citizens are allowed to leave the country provided they have all the relevant documents.
It should be noted that during martial law, restrictions on leaving Ukraine will apply to citizens aged 18 to 60. However, according to the State Border Guard Service, 17-year-olds can leave Ukraine even if they are a few days away from coming of age.
If the border guards unreasonably refused to allow you to leave, you can appeal this decision. To do this, you need to file a complaint with the head of the state border guard agency whose name and address are indicated in the decision. You can also contact the Border Guard Service hotline at 1598.
At the same time, it should be understood that there are cases when 17-year-old citizens are not allowed to travel abroad legally.
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When can 17-year-olds be refused to leave Ukraine?
Travelling abroad at the age of 17 may be restricted if the child is not registered for military service. Registration for men begins at the age of 16, and if a 17-year-old boy does not have a military registration, border guards may refuse to allow him to travel.
However, it is not enough to have a registration certificate. This document must contain up-to-date records from the territorial recruitment centre.
If you face any difficulties in travelling abroad, we recommend that you seek professional assistance. Our migration lawyers will always be happy to help, even in the most complex matters. You can also get advice on collecting documents for migration.
We remind you! Children living abroad who want to study Ukrainian subjects in more depth will be able to do so with the help of a new project. Read here how it will work and what you need to do to transfer your child to a Ukrainian class.
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.
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;
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