Foreign citizens or stateless persons can now join the National Guard of Ukraine. Find out more about the conditions of service and what is required to join

Legal advice on entry and stay in Ukraine

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree allowing foreigners and stateless persons to serve in the National Guard of Ukraine. We tell you who may not be recruited and what you need to do to join this branch of the armed forces.

Which foreigners can serve in the National Guard?

The presidential decree states that foreigners who are legally on the territory of Ukraine, have not been convicted before and meet the requirements for military service set out in the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service" will be able to join this branch of the armed forces.

It also states that such persons may be recruited for service on a voluntary basis, i.e. under a contract.

Foreign nationals can serve in the National Guard under contract both as privates and as sergeants and officers.

How can foreigners join the National Guard of Ukraine?

To join the National Guard, foreigners should contact the territorial recruitment and social support centre at their place of residence or directly the military unit where they wish to perform military service under the contract.

Foreign women can be enlisted for military service under a contract in case of vacant military positions that can be filled by female servicewomen.

The list of military positions that can be filled by female servicewomen is determined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

After the medical examination, foreign nationals are required to pass physical training standards. A probationary period of two months is established for foreigners recruited for military service.

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What is the pay in the National Guard of Ukraine?

It is worth knowing that servicemen, unlike employees, do not receive a salary, but a financial allowance, which is not considered a salary.

The amount of financial support depends on:

• position

• military rank;

• duration, intensity and conditions of military service;

• qualifications.

It should also be noted that Ukrainian National Guardsmen also take part in hostilities during martial law. These soldiers, of course, receive a much higher salary.

Here is how soldiers on the front line are paid:

In 2024, the minimum salary of a mobilised soldier will be UAH 33,000 (over $860). This includes the minimum salary of an enlisted soldier (UAH 20,000 or over $520) and the minimum salary for a military rank (UAH 13,000 or $340).

Additional payments may also be added to this amount:

• 30,000 UAH ($860) for those who perform combat (special) tasks during the period of ensuring the defence of Ukraine, protection of the security of the population and the interests of the state in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation;

• UAH 50,000 (USD 1,300) for military personnel performing combat (special) tasks as part of military command and control bodies, headquarters and commanders who carry out operational management of units;

• UAH 100,000 (over USD 2,600) for servicemen who are in the area of active hostilities or undergoing treatment or rehabilitation as a result of concussion, trauma or injury. There is also a supplement for those who have been taken prisoner.

All these allowances are paid in proportion to the time spent on such tasks. That is, one day in a combat zone will cost a little over UAH 3,000 or more than $80.

Help on these issues

If you need legal assistance or full support on entering Ukraine, the rules for crossing the border and the documents required for this, and the rules for staying in the country, you can order a consultation with a qualified lawyer on migration issues on the Visit Ukraine website. Our experienced specialists can help you with any questions regarding entry and stay in Ukraine, as well as with collecting the necessary documents.

If you still have any questions about the rules of entry to Ukraine or the documents required to cross the Ukrainian border, please contact our hotline from 08:00 to 02:00 (Kyiv time).

We remind you! In Ukraine, there are currently three ways to choose a military unit, subdivision and speciality for military service. Read here to find out how to join a particular branch of the armed forces and what documents are required.

Photo: National Guard of Ukraine / flickr

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