Ukrainian legislation allows foreigners to have their entry ban lifted through a court or administrative appeal. Learn more about the reasons for the restrictions and the procedure for appealing them

Legal assistance on entry, stay and legalization of foreigners in Ukraine

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Ukrainian migration legislation is generally open to foreigners who come for various purposes, whether it is to work, meet with relatives or tourism. However, the introduction of martial law has significantly increased checks and controls at border crossings, due to the need to protect the security of the state, its citizens and public order.

Being denied entry or banned can be an unexpected obstacle, but there are legal ways to overcome it. The main reasons that can lead to an entry ban, as well as the procedure for appealing against it, are described in the article below.

Requirements for foreigners to enter Ukraine

The rules for entry of foreigners into Ukraine are set out in resolutions of the Verkhovna Rada and laws, in particular, the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons”. These acts define the grounds and rules of stay, terms, required documents and possible restrictions that may be applied in case of violations.

When planning a trip to Ukraine, it is important to prepare all the necessary documents in advance. If you have any questions regarding the collection of documents, Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers are ready to provide advice and assistance in legal support, including in the event of litigation.

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Threat to national security and other reasons for refusal to enter Ukraine

Obtaining a visa does not guarantee automatic entry into Ukraine, as the final decision on entry is made by the border guard service at the border crossing. The main reasons for refusal of entry include:

● the possibility of a threat to national security

● invalidity of documents

● the existence of a previous decision to deny entry

● incomplete package of documents or lack of adequate financial security.

At the same time, the Border Guard Service has the right to refuse entry in case of suspicion of a security threat, even if it is only assumed, which sometimes leads to subjective and unmotivated decisions.

A decision to deny entry may result in:

● visa revocation

● inability to cross the border of Ukraine

● establishing a period of entry ban during which a person cannot return to Ukraine.

Information about such a decision is immediately recorded in the relevant registers.

How to cancel a ban on entry to Ukraine?

There are two ways to appeal against an entry ban:

1. Pre-trial appeal - an appeal to the authority that issued the ban within 30 days from the date of the decision.

2. Judicial appeal - if the pre-trial appeal is unsuccessful, the decision may be appealed to the administrative court at the place of decision-making.

For a more detailed algorithm of actions on how to act if you have received an entry ban, please follow the link.

It is important to remember that the decision on the ban is valid throughout the appeal process, so it remains impossible to enter Ukraine. If you have been denied or banned entry, Visit Ukraine's lawyers are ready to help at every stage, from filing complaints to representation in court, to effectively defend your rights and restore your ability to enter Ukraine. Follow the link to sign up for a consultation via WhatsApp and Telegram or the form on the website.

We remind you! The imposed martial law on the territory of Ukraine does not prohibit the entry of foreigners, but it does impose some other restrictions. Read what you need for a safe trip and what nuances you should consider when planning a trip to Ukraine during the war in our previous article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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