On what grounds do men have the right to travel abroad in May 2024?

In 2025, the rules for travelling abroad for men remain a hot topic that requires a clear understanding of the legal grounds and requirements. Learn more about the grounds for travelling abroad in 2025

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Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the rules for travelling abroad for men of military age have undergone significant changes. In 2025, the legislation continues to regulate these issues, defining clear grounds and exceptions for travelling abroad. It is important to understand which categories of citizens have this right and what documents need to be prepared.

All the current conditions for men to travel abroad are described in the article below.

Who can cross the border?

According to 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;

4. Persons with disabilities or serious infectious diseases.

The Resolution also regulates some grounds for travelling abroad for men liable for military service:

1. State of health;

2. Obtaining higher education;

3. Military service;

4. Special family circumstances;

5. Profession;

6. Assistance from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

To find out which men have the right to travel abroad in 2025, please follow the link.

Can students travel abroad?

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 years who are not subject to military conscription and are studying full-time at foreign universities may travel abroad for 1 academic semester.

What documents do students need to cross the border?

1. A certificate from a Ukrainian university on referral to participate in academic mobility programmes 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.

Crossing the border with a child in 2025: updated rules and necessary documents are available here.

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Grounds for travelling abroad in 2025

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

1. If the husband has a wife with a disability and needs to travel abroad to accompany her outside Ukraine. It is necessary to provide documents and their notarised copies to confirm family ties and disability;

2. If one of your parents or the parents of your spouse has a disability of group I or II, you have travelled abroad to accompany them outside Ukraine. Documents confirming the diagnosis, custody, cohabitation, as well as relevant care certificates must be provided;

3. Providing permanent care for persons with disabilities of group I or II, travelling abroad to accompany them outside Ukraine. You must provide a certificate or certificate of receipt of compensation for care, documents confirming 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 relevant authority of the person must be provided;

5. Parents with a dependent adult child who is a person with a disability of group I or II. The birth certificate, documents confirming the disability and their notarised 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 kinship, 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 declared incapacitated by a court, who accompany such persons to travel outside Ukraine.

For health reasons, men with disabilities and relevant documents confirming this can travel abroad. Military personnel travelling to another country for rehabilitation or treatment can also cross the border.

To assist the Armed Forces, the following persons 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.

In our previous article, we wrote about the rules for men with disabilities travelling abroad in 2025.

What professions allow travelling abroad in 2025?

Another possible reason for travelling abroad is the profession. Military personnel going on leave have the right to cross the border, provided they have permission from their military unit, have available return dates and return tickets. Diplomats and their family members also have the same right.

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 the international carriage of goods and passengers.

If you have any questions about travelling abroad in 2025, it is important to get qualified assistance to avoid misunderstandings and unforeseen situations. Migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine will help you understand the current rules, prepare the necessary documents and find the best solutions for each case. Trust professionals who know all the nuances of the law and are ready to accompany you at every stage.

Book a consultation right now to be sure of your actions and plans for the future.

Just to remind you. All citizens liable for military service cannot cross the border without presenting a military registration document with an up-to-date VIN code and a corresponding record of deferment. Read more about the current rules and how to cross the border accompanied by persons with disabilities here.

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