New rules for obtaining passports for Ukrainians in the USA, Canada and the UK: how to get a document without a second visit to the consulate?

Ukrainians abroad will receive a new convenient way to obtain passports without repeated trips to consulates. Find out how the service will work through VFS Global, in which countries it is available and what will change for citizens

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ukrainians abroad will soon receive another important step towards simplifying bureaucratic procedures.

In the near future, the mechanism for obtaining foreign passports through the network of VFS Global service centers will be launched in the UK, Canada and the USA. From now on, citizens will not have to go to embassies or consulates again to pick up the finished document.

The service will become much more convenient, faster and more accessible - especially for those who live far from diplomatic institutions.

Unsure what to do in your situation? Contact Visit Ukraine's lawyers and get answers to all your questions.

How can a Ukrainian obtain a passport in the USA, Canada and the UK?

The initiator of the changes was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, which completed preparations for the launch of a pilot project together with VFS Global. This involves the possibility of address delivery or obtaining passports in specialized centers.

As part of the pilot launch, Ukrainians will be able to choose an alternative way to obtain a document – ​​not at a diplomatic institution, but at one of 35 VFS Global service centers. This will significantly reduce the number of trips, queues and time spent.

This innovation is of strategic importance in the context of a full-scale war. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, millions of Ukrainians found themselves abroad and forced to regularly visit consular offices.

This is especially relevant for large countries such as the USA or Canada, where the distance to the nearest consulate can be measured in hundreds of kilometers.

Read here whether it is possible for a Ukrainian abroad to obtain a passport without “Reserve+” and what nuances are important to consider.

What is known about VFS Global?

VFS Global is an international company specializing in outsourcing visa, passport and consular services. It cooperates with governments of more than 60 countries around the world and has an extensive network of service centers.

The company accepts documents, collects biometric data and issues ready-made passports, acting as an intermediary between the applicant and government agencies.

Is it safe to obtain a passport through VFS Global?

Despite the simplification of the procedure, the key security requirements remain unchanged. Obtaining a passport will be possible only after a mandatory identity verification procedure, which guarantees:

- protection of personal data,

- correct identification of the recipient,

- minimization of the risks of abuse.

Thus, the new service combines convenience and high security standards.

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When will obtaining documents through VFS Global become available?

The pilot launch of the project will start next week. Ukrainians who will apply for a passport at diplomatic institutions in the UK, Canada and the USA will be able to choose the option of obtaining a document through VFS Global centers.

Details on the procedure, addresses of centers and conditions for obtaining will be published on the official pages of embassies and consulates in the near future.

The UK government has released details of the second extension of visas for Ukrainians under the Ukrainian Permission Extension program. We have already told you who will be able to get an additional 24 months of stay and what conditions will apply.

Cooperation with VFS Global is part of the digitalization of services

The project is part of a broader strategy for the digitalization of consular services. In particular, it integrates with the e-Consul system, which aims to make government services more accessible to citizens abroad.

In the future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to expand similar initiatives to further simplify the interaction of Ukrainians with diplomatic institutions.

The launch of obtaining passports through VFS Global is a practical step towards simplifying the lives of Ukrainians abroad. Less bureaucracy, fewer trips and more flexibility are exactly what is needed in today's conditions. The project shows that even in difficult conditions, the state continues to adapt its services to the real needs of citizens.

Moving abroad and document processing are often accompanied by complex rules and changes in legislation. A migration lawyer helps to avoid mistakes, properly prepare documents and go through all stages - from planning a move to obtaining permits or visas.

Visit Ukraine specialists provide Ukrainians with comprehensive support: consultations, support and turnkey solutions for various migration situations.

Contact a Visit Ukraine migration lawyer to quickly and safely resolve all issues related to moving abroad!

Let us remind you! The procedure for issuing or renewing Ukrainian passports in France remains complicated, slow and often turns into a bureaucratic ordeal, which forces people to look for alternative ways. That is why more and more Ukrainians are choosing the so-called "passport tourism", when people go to a neighboring country to issue a document, where the system is more well-established, we told how it works in the previous material.

Photo – Freepik.com

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