Ukraine Support for Ukraine
Volunteering in Ukraine
International Legion. How to fight on the side of Ukraine: step by step instructions
Entry of foreign journalists to Ukraine
How to enter Ukraine for a volunteer
Today dozens and hundreds of volunteers come to Ukraine, and some of them plan to stay here after the war. Ukrainians are very grateful for all the efforts made by the international community for Ukraine.
In addition, work in a volunteer organization is a direct basis for obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine.
Who can become a volunteer in Ukraine?
Any foreigner, stateless person who wishes to engage in volunteer activities can become a volunteer (prerequisites for such activities: voluntariness, social orientation, non-profitability).
Volunteer visa to Ukraine
You can engage in volunteer activities in Ukraine in any possible way, including by donating or joining non-governmental and international organizations in Ukraine.
To do this, if you are a citizen of a country that has a visa-free regime with Ukraine, you can volunteer in Ukraine for up to 90 days without special permission. If you decide to stay longer, you will need to obtain a long-term visa type D-10 for volunteer activities with further obtaining a temporary residence permit.
However, if you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa, you will first need to obtain a Ukrainian volunteer visa (D-10) and then apply for a temporary residence permit to stay in Ukraine for longer than 90 days.
Stages of obtaining volunteer status for a foreigner
As a standard, the following stages can be distinguished:
- obtaining membership in a public organization or charitable foundation;
- preparation and submission of documents for obtaining a D visa;
- preparation of documents for entry into Ukraine and presentation to the border guards;
- preparation and submission of documents to the migration service for obtaining a temporary residence permit;
- registration of place of residence in Ukraine;
- notification to the National Social Service of Ukraine;
- in case of termination of volunteer activity, notification of the State Migration Service and return of the certificate.
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An important step is to obtain a D-10 visa at the Consulate of Ukraine.
To do this, it is necessary to receive an invitation to volunteer in Ukraine from state or local authorities or from a non-governmental organization that has the right to involve foreign volunteers in its activities, is registered with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and has no problems with tax withholding.
It is very important that such an NGO (non-governmental organization) meets the established requirements, otherwise Ukrainian missions abroad will not issue a D-10 visa.
Next, make sure that the NGO is really engaged in charity, as the state authorities are aware of dubious organizations, pursue them and prevent illegal migration. Applying to a fake NGO will lead to very negative consequences: either you will be refused a visa or, if you are compromised, you will be subsequently deported, your visa and residence permit will be revoked, and you will be banned from further travel to Ukraine for at least 3 years.
Once you have found the right NGO that has agreed to invite you to work as a volunteer in Ukraine, you must obtain the original invitation letter and apply for a visa at the diplomatic mission of Ukraine to obtain a D-10 visa.
when it is confirmed that the NGO has the right to engage you, they should send a corresponding invitation letter with attachments confirming your purpose of visit, etc;
- you will need to take the original invitation letter with attachments and leave Ukraine (or get the original documents if you are outside of Ukraine), it is worth noting that you must comply with your migration status in Ukraine (no previous overstay, fines, deportation, entry ban, etc;)
- you will need to apply for a long-term visa type D-10 (voluntarily) to the nearest embassy or consulate of Ukraine (EU, US and Canadian citizens can apply for a visa in any EU country, for example, in Poland or Romania) with a standard visa application package (valid passport, 35x45 mm photo, medical insurance, bank account statement, invitation with annexes, receipt of visa fee payment).
- The term of obtaining a D visa is from several days to a month. The terms depend on the speed of checks during martial law.
The process of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Ukraine for a volunteer
After you receive a visa, it will be valid for 90 days, you will need to come to Ukraine and apply for a temporary residence permit at the local department of the State Migration Service of Ukraine, where you will reside (the NGO should prepare another document for you to apply for a residence permit and it will need to be submitted together with the standard package of documents);
Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine through volunteering:
- passport with translation into Ukrainian;
- documents on payment of administrative services and state duty;
- health insurance policy for a foreigner for a period of 1 year;
- submission of the organization for participation in the volunteer program, to which the foreigner arrived;
- certificate of state registration of the organization.
Does a volunteer need a residence registration in Ukraine to obtain a residence permit?
To apply for a residence permit, you need a permanent residence address - that is, where you will be physically located for the entire period while the checks are being carried out and the permit is being issued.
After obtaining a residence permit, you must register your place of residence within 30 calendar days. For residence without registration, a fine may be imposed on both the foreigner and the public organization or charitable foundation, respectively.
Terms of obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine through volunteering
The term of obtaining a temporary residence permit is from 15 working days to two months. The terms depend on the speed of inspections during martial law.
The main problems or factors that can refuse to grant a residence permit in Ukraine to a volunteer
- belonging of a foreigner to the citizens of the so-called "risky migration" countries;
- previous refusal to issue a visa or residence permit;
- lack of understanding by a foreigner of the activities that he will carry out in Ukraine, including the inability to explain it at the interview;
- incorrect execution of documents (invitations, letters of guarantee, health insurance policy, translations), failure to take into account the requirements of martial law in Ukraine;
- the presence of unpaid fines or other closed enforcement proceedings in Ukraine;
- foreign volunteer does not live at the address indicated when applying for a visa or residence permit;
- lack of sufficient financial security.
How to help Ukraine
Send humanitarian aid to Ukraine
- Send aid to Ukraine from Poland
NGOs and private citizens registered in Poland can submit an online request form on the PomagamUkrainie platform. After approval, the form should be printed out and placed on the windshield of the truck transporting the goods.
For the transportation of humanitarian goods from Poland to Ukraine there is a simplified customs procedure (only two checkpoints Korczowa and Dorohusk). To cross the border it is necessary to fill in the form for Dorohusk-Jagodzin (west of Lublin) or the form for Korczowa-Krakowiec (north of Przemyśl).
Currently, only Polish citizens have access to the platform and can submit a request form. We recommend international partners to contact Polish NGOs that can apply.
- Send aid to an international hub within the EU, USA, UK, Switzerland, Turkey
Choose a collection point for humanitarian aid - search by country (23 countries)
Select the recommended warehouse from the list given in question 6 on the official humanitarian aid portal https://help.gov.ua/ua. List of international hubs
Helping as a volunteer
If you want to help as a volunteer directly in Ukraine, leave your proposal on one of the platforms and let us know how you are ready to join and support Ukrainians
- Cooperation | Humanitarian, medical aid to the civilian population
- eHelp
- UkraineNow - Help Ukraine
- Ukrainian Volunteer Service
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State hotline for those who want to help
There is a state hotline for those who want to provide humanitarian aid to the population or support Ukrainian military and territorial defense soldiers.
For calls from Ukraine (free of charge):
0 800 202 600
For calls from other countries (the number can also be used for calls from Ukraine at the operator's tariffs):
+380 44 237 00 02
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We advise you to visit the official portal https://help.gov.ua/ for those who want to provide humanitarian or financial assistance to Ukraine to support the population, business and the state during the period of countering Russian aggression. Here everyone who wants to support Ukraine and Ukrainians can get instructions on how to do it.
After Russia carried out a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and from the first days began to strike at civilians and infrastructure, the Ukrainian state called on foreigners to join the fight for peace and democracy in Europe and around the world.
Ukraine created the International Legion (official website https://fightforua.org/) of territorial defense consisting of citizens of foreign countries who want to help Ukrainian soldiers in the fight against Russian occupiers.
On March 1, a visa-free regime was temporarily introduced for foreigners who want to join the defense of Ukraine (except for citizens of the aggressor state).
How to join the International Legion
- In particular, in order to join the ranks of the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine, you need to contact the Embassy of Ukraine (see the list of diplomatic missions of Ukraine in the world) in your country with the appropriate intention and clarify what documents and clothing (equipment) are required or recommended.
- Then you need to pass an interview at the Embassy with the Defense Attaché and apply for a visa with the Consul. Then an application for conscription to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for voluntary military service under the contract is submitted.
- After that, the legionnaire will receive instructions on traveling in Ukraine, the necessary documents and equipment. It is recommended, if available, to take a military kit, such as clothing or its elements, equipment, helmet, body armor, etc.
If necessary, representatives of the embassies and consulates of Ukraine will provide assistance on the way.
- Arriving at the assembly point in Ukraine, the legionnaire signs a contract and joins the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine. After that, he is ready to join the battle against the invaders together with fighters from all over the world and Ukrainian soldiers.
There are three ways to apply for membership in the International Legion:
1) come to the Embassy physically;
2) Call a special call center by phone (+380443395987; +380800507028);
3) Send an e-mail (tro.info@post.mil.gov.ua).
List of the main documents required to join the ranks of the International Legion:
- internal document;
- passport for traveling abroad;
- documents confirming military service (service in law enforcement agencies) and participation in hostilities.
In accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons", foreigners and stateless persons who arrived in Ukraine to work as correspondents or representatives of foreign mass media and received a temporary residence permit are considered to be legally staying in Ukraine for the period of work in Ukraine.
For the period of martial law and within 30 days after its cancellation or termination in Ukraine, foreign journalists accredited for the period of martial law will be able to work without extending the validity of a temporary residence permit in Ukraine after its expiration. Restrictions on the period of stay in Ukraine will not be applied to journalists.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine will inform the Administration of the State Border Guard Service and the State Migration Service about the accredited media representatives.
This decision was made due to the need to simplify the activities of foreign journalists to comprehensively cover the war in Ukraine.
Law on compulsory life and health insurance for foreign journalists
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a draft law on providing additional security guarantees for foreign journalists working in Ukraine in the areas of hostilities or in the temporarily occupied territories.
The draft law provides for mandatory insurance of life and health of foreign journalists and other media workers (e.g. cameramen, drivers, etc.) for the period of their work in the areas of military (combat) operations and/or in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.
Secondly, media workers who work in conditions hazardous to life and health must be provided by their employers with appropriate means of protection, namely: bulletproof vests, helmets that would protect them from firearms and shrapnel injuries, as well as medical kits.
It should be noted that prior to the adoption of this draft law, the media provided their employees only with relevant documents and signal identification means.
Thirdly, in case of injury (contusion, trauma or mutilation) caused to a journalist during the performance of his professional duties, he is paid from the state budget a one-time financial assistance of 50 subsistence minimums, which is 130 thousand hryvnias.