How many refugees and persons in need of complementary protection are there in Ukraine?

Hundreds of people in need of protection apply to Ukraine for refugee status or complementary protection. Recent years have shown changes in the number of asylum seekers. Find out more about the process of obtaining status, common mistakes and how migration lawyers can help with these issues

Legal assistance on migration issues for foreigners

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The issue of refugees and persons in need of complementary protection in Ukraine remains important even in times of instability. The topic remains relevant in the context of humanitarian crises in other parts of the world and reflects Ukraine's role as an important transit and host country for people in need of protection.

The number of refugees in Ukraine, as well as persons in need of complementary protection and how lawyers can help in obtaining this status, are described in the article below.

Rules of entry to Ukraine for foreigners in 2025: everything you need to know is available here.

Official refugee statistics in Ukraine: the number of asylum seekers in Ukraine in 2024

Every year, the Migration Service of Ukraine publishes data on refugees and asylum seekers in Ukraine, which demonstrates the exact number of foreigners who have been granted asylum in Ukraine.

According to official statistics, the number of refugees and persons in need of complementary protection varies from year to year. As of 31 December 2024, 1,301 refugees were registered, including 341 women and 960 men. In addition, there were 1,095 persons registered as being in need of complementary protection, including 288 women and 807 men.

In 2023, 1,464 refugees were registered, including 422 women and 1,042 men. There were 1,056 persons in need of complementary protection, including 275 women and 781 men.

In 2022, the number of refugees was the highest - 1,510, including 430 women and 1,080 men. The number of persons in need of complementary protection was 1,013, including 257 women and 756 men.

There is a downward trend in the number of refugees in Ukraine from 2022 to 2024. While in 2022 there were 1,510 refugees registered, in 2024 this number dropped to 1,301. The number of persons in need of complementary protection shows a slight increase from 1,013 in 2022 to 1,095 in 2024. These changes may be the result of various factors, including changes in the international political situation or in Ukraine's migration policy.

To find out how many foreigners visited Ukraine in 2024 and from which countries they came most often, please follow the link.

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How to obtain refugee status and complementary protection in Ukraine?

Refugee status or complementary protection can be granted to persons who are on the territory of Ukraine and need protection.

- Who is granted refugee status? Refugee status can be granted to a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, citizenship or political opinion, cannot return to his or her home country. Additional protection is granted to persons who do not meet the refugee definition but whose lives are in danger due to international or internal conflict or other serious human rights violations.

- Procedure for obtaining refugee status and complementary protection in Ukraine. An application for recognition as a refugee or a person in need of complementary protection is submitted to the territorial office of the State Migration Service. The application must be submitted in person or through a legal representative at the place of temporary stay. Documents must be submitted no later than five working days after entering Ukraine. The application process takes time and includes an interview, consideration of evidence and circumstances of the case.

- Differences between statuses. Refugee status is granted to persons who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted, while complementary protection is granted to persons who do not fall under the refugee definition but face a serious threat to their life or freedom in their country of origin.

When applying for refugee status or subsidiary protection, it is important to take into account all the nuances of the legislation and procedure. If you face any difficulties or have doubts about the correctness of the paperwork, qualified migration lawyers can become your reliable assistants. They will ensure that the applications are filled out correctly, help you collect the necessary evidence and guide you at all stages of the procedure.

Common mistakes and problems when trying to obtain refugee status or complementary protection in Ukraine

There are several common mistakes in the process of legalising refugees and persons in need of complementary protection:

- Incorrectly completed documents or insufficient evidence of persecution.

- Missing the application deadlines, which can lead to rejection.

- Refusal of refugee status due to lack of sufficient grounds for recognition as a refugee or a person in need of complementary protection.

- Lack of knowledge of changes in the legislation, which leads to problems in the application process.

Answers to frequently asked questions about Ukraine are available here.

When should I contact a migration lawyer?

If a person has a difficult situation, is not sure whether the documents are filled out correctly, or is afraid of making mistakes when submitting an application, it is advisable to contact a migration lawyer for foreigners in Ukraine. This will ensure the correctness of the procedure, help with the preparation of evidence and make it possible to avoid rejection due to incompetence or formal errors.

By contacting migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine, you get professional assistance in applying for refugee status or complementary protection in Ukraine.

Experts in migration law will find an individual approach to each client and provide the fastest and most effective solution to the situation. The lawyers of Visit Ukraine have experience in dealing with the most difficult cases, so you can be sure that your rights will be protected.

Request a consultation and get high-quality assistance in resolving migration issues!

Just to remind you. Thousands of foreigners come to Ukraine every month. A health insurance policy is mandatory for crossing the border. Read more about health insurance for foreigners in Ukraine, as well as prices, features and legislative regulation here.

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