Ukraine has lifted restrictions on international travel for all female civil servants: what has changed?

The Cabinet of Ministers has lifted restrictions on crossing the border for all women without exception, regardless of their position in government. Find out who was previously excluded from earlier relaxations and what has changed following the government’s new decision on May 15

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The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has lifted border crossing restrictions for all women without exception — regardless of their positions in government agencies, local government bodies, state-owned enterprises, and courts. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced this on May 15.

Read also: New rules for international travel — eCherga cancels appointments for those without a Green Card.

What preceded this decision: previous easing measures and their limitations

This decision was a logical continuation of the government’s previous steps. Earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers had already lifted restrictions on traveling abroad for female employees of state authorities, local self-government bodies, and state-owned enterprises — however, those changes had significant exceptions.

In particular, the previous easing of restrictions did not apply to:

● female government officials, including heads of ministries and central executive bodies;

● female employees of the Office of the President, the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat, the National Security and Defense Council, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the National Bank;

● female members of parliament;

● judges of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court;

● female prosecutors in the Office of the Prosecutor General;

● heads of state-owned enterprises and state agencies whose jurisdiction extends across the entire territory of Ukraine.

In other words, despite this initial step forward, a significant category of women in leadership positions remained subject to restrictions. The new decision closes this gap and extends the easing of restrictions to everyone without exception.

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New decision: no exceptions based on position

From now on, border crossing restrictions have been lifted for all women, regardless of the level or nature of their position within state structures. The decision covers the entire list of categories previously subject to the ban — from judges of the highest courts to heads of central executive bodies and law enforcement agencies.

If you plan to travel abroad after the restrictions are lifted, you should also take care of medical insurance in advance—you can purchase a policy for travel abroad quickly and online via the Visit Ukraine platform.

We remind you! When crossing the border, customs officers inspect the personal belongings and luggage of Ukrainians traveling abroad. Read more about what you cannot carry if you plan to leave Ukraine.

Photo: dpsu.gov.ua

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