During martial law and general mobilization, not all men have the right to travel abroad. On May 18, a new law on mobilization comes into force. Learn more about whether the rules for crossing the border will change in May 2024

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On April 16, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new law on mobilization, which will come into force on May 18. The draft law will amend the rules of military registration and the rules of conscription for other areas of military service. The rules for crossing the border for men liable for military service are regulated by CMU Resolution No. 57, so they will remain unchanged even after the new law comes into force.

Who can cross the border?

According to the Cabinet of Ministers' Resolution No. 57, men who meet the following requirements can travel abroad:

1. Age under 18 or over 60;

2. Excluded from military registration for health reasons;

3. Persons who have not committed serious crimes;

5. Persons with disabilities or serious infectious diseases.

The Resolution also regulates certain grounds for men liable for military service to travel abroad:

1. Health condition;

2. Obtaining higher education;

3. Military service;

4. Special family circumstances;

5. Profession;

6. Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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We remind you that according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, students also have the right to cross the border. Persons aged 18 to 22 who are not subject to military conscription and are studying full-time at foreign universities may travel abroad for 1 academic semester.

To cross the border, they should present the following documents:

1. A certificate from a Ukrainian university on referral to participate in academic mobility programs in foreign educational institutions with the specified terms of the academic semester and the grounds for cooperation;

2. No retakes of exams and negative grades during the last academic year;

3. A certificate confirming a sufficient level of proficiency in the relevant language for studying at a foreign university;

4. A copy of the academic mobility agreement;

5. Electronic student card on the Diia portal;

6. Military registration documents with the necessary marks.

If you have any difficulties with the preparation of the necessary documents or any other problems while crossing the border, please contact professional lawyers for advice. Our experts will help you find a solution using an individual approach to each situation. You can order a consultation by following the link.

Grounds for traveling abroad in May 2024

According to the Cabinet of Ministers, a man may cross the border for family reasons in the following cases:

1. Having a wife with a disability, traveling abroad to accompany her outside Ukraine. It is necessary to provide documents and their notarized copies to confirm family ties and disability;

2. If one of your parents or the parents of your wife has a disability of group I or II, you have traveled abroad to accompany them outside Ukraine. Documents confirming the diagnosis, custody, cohabitation, and relevant caregiving acts must be provided;

3. Providing permanent care for persons with disabilities of group I or II, traveling abroad to accompany them outside Ukraine. You must provide a certificate or certificate of receipt of compensation for care, documents confirming the disability and an act of establishing the fact of care;

4. Parents, guardians, trustees, foster parents, foster parents raising a child with a disability under the age of 18. The child's birth certificate or documents confirming the person's authority must be provided;

5. Parents who are dependent on an adult child who is a person with a disability of group I or II. A birth certificate, documents confirming the disability and their notarized copies must be provided;

6. Persons in need of constant care - accompanied by one of the family members of the first degree of kinship. Documents confirming family ties, as well as the conclusion of the medical advisory commission on the need for constant third-party care, must be provided;

7. Guardians of persons with disabilities recognized by the court as incapacitated, who accompany such persons to travel outside Ukraine.

8. Men with disabilities and relevant documents confirming this can travel for health reasons. Military personnel traveling to another country for rehabilitation or treatment can also cross the border.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

People who are helping the Armed Forces have the right to cross the border of Ukraine:

1. Volunteer drivers to transport goods for the army or humanitarian aid;

2. Cultural figures to hold charity events and represent Ukraine in the international arena;

3. Athletes and their coaches to participate in official competitions and training camps.

4. Another possible reason for traveling abroad is the profession. Military personnel going on vacation abroad have the right to cross the border, provided they have permission from their military unit, available return dates and return tickets. Diplomats and their family members also have a similar opportunity.

The following professions are allowed to cross the border during martial law:

1. Ship crew members;

2. Employees of railway transport;

3. Aviation personnel;

4. Drivers of vehicles of business entities licensed for international transportation of goods and passengers.

We remind you!  There are certain rules for men liable for military service for traveling within the country. Find out whether the rules have changed with the adoption of the new law on mobilization and what requirements men should be aware of.

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.