Which men will be allowed to travel abroad in 2026: list of categories and documents required for travel

In 2026, separate border crossing rules apply to men. Find out which categories of men can leave Ukraine without hindrance and what documents are required for this

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The law on mobilisation in Ukraine provides for certain peculiarities in the system of registration of persons liable for military service, the procedure for undergoing a military medical examination, and the rules for crossing the border. Here's a look at which men are eligible to travel abroad in 2026 and what documents are required.

Border crossing rules for men in 2026

Border crossing by men is regulated by the Law on Mobilisation. Employees of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine check the availability of military registration documents for all persons who have the right to leave in accordance with paragraphs 2-6 of the Rules for Crossing the State Border of Ukraine.

This means that when planning to leave Ukraine, most categories of men must first check their data with the MCC and the SP and enter information about the deferment in their military registration document.

For which citizens the availability of military registration documents is mandatory when crossing the border and what are the exceptions, please read here.

Please note! According to the law, the military registration document must have a VIN code. It is this code that must be presented at the request of representatives of the TCC, police and border guards. Therefore, persons liable for military service who have the right to travel abroad must come to the CCC and receive a military registration document with a VIN code, which is then read by border guards with special devices and thus gain access to the personal file of the person liable for military service in electronic form. The VIN code can also be pasted into an old-style military ID card - the law does not prohibit this.

Men aged 18 to 22

On August 12, 2025, during the Youth Forum “Youth is Here!” in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an initiative to raise the age limit from 18 to 22 for men who have the right to travel outside Ukraine. According to him, this decision is aimed at maintaining close ties between young people and their homeland and creating conditions for their development and fulfillment in Ukraine. The president instructed the Cabinet of Ministers and the military command to work out a mechanism that would simplify border crossing for young citizens.

On August 18, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in a comment to Suspilne that the government could adopt a corresponding resolution by the end of the week. According to her, the decision will be made at the level of the Cabinet of Ministers and does not require changes to the legislation, as it is a government resolution.

On August 28, 2025, new rules for crossing the border for men aged 18 to 22 came into force. According to the government's resolution, they now have the right to cross the border without hindrance during martial law. To do so, they must have a passport and military registration document (in paper and electronic form). Restrictions remain only for government officials of the specified age (they have the right to leave Ukraine only on business trips).

Which men of conscription age have the right to travel abroad

The provisions of the mobilization law do not change the rules for crossing the border for men, which are regulated by Resolution No. 57 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Thus, men who are not subject to conscription or are entitled to deferment are allowed to leave Ukraine. Of course, they must be able to prove this with the relevant documents.

First of all, men under the age of 23 and over the age of 60 have the right to leave Ukraine.

Other categories of men who are entitled to deferment and travel abroad during martial law:

Men whose close relatives died or went missing in the war

List of documents for traveling abroad for men whose relatives died or went missing in the war

- Documents confirming family ties;

- Documented fact of death or missing close relatives;

Men excluded from military registration

List of documents for traveling abroad for men excluded from the register

Men with disabilities of group I, II, III

List of documents for traveling abroad for men with disabilities

- Certificate of Form No. 157-1/o;

- A certificate confirming the status of a disabled person/pension certificate/document confirming the appointment of social assistance.

Men who accompany a person with disability group I or II

List of documents for traveling abroad for men who care for a disabled person

- Conclusion of the MSEC or medical advisory commission on granting a disability group to the person who is accompanying;

- ID card of a disabled person/pension card of the person being accompanied;

- Documents confirming family ties between the man and the person he is accompanying;

- Proof that the husband has received social compensation from the state for care, if such compensation is provided by law;

- A military registration document with an up-to-date VIN and a note of deferment under the relevant article;

Men with many children who have three or more minor children

List of documents for traveling abroad for men with many children

- Birth certificates of all children;

- Marriage certificate/dissolution of marriage;

- Decision of the guardianship authority or a certificate of the father of a large family.

Men who are raising children on their own

List of documents for departure of men who raise children independently

- Birth certificate of the child;

Men accompanying sick children

Documents for crossing the border by men accompanying sick children

- Certificates of receipt of state aid for a child who is ill with serious illnesses;

- Document issued by the medical advisory commission with the diagnosis of the child;

- Documents confirming family ties with the child (birth certificate);

- If the child is accompanied by a guardian, custodian, foster parents, or foster parents, documents confirming the authority of the person accompanying the child are required;

Military personnel traveling abroad for medical treatment, rehabilitation or training

List of documents for traveling abroad for military personnel who are going for treatment/rehabilitation/training

- Referral for treatment abroad;

- A letter from the Ministry of Health that the foreign health care institution accepts him for treatment;

Male drivers

From September 10, 2025, Ukraine has simplified the rules for crossing the border for male drivers aged 18–60 who perform commercial transportation. From now on, drivers of licensed carriers do not need to submit an application in the “Shlyakh” system (module 18–60) - to leave, it is enough to register only in the “eCherga” system. Border guards automatically check the right to cross the border based on data from the Unified State Electronic Information System of Ukrtransbezpeka, provided that the driver is officially entered into the carrier’s electronic account.

It is also worth remembering that from 17 July 2024, this category of men will also be required to have a military registration document. It can be either in paper or electronic form.

Attention! If the driver does not have a military registration document, border guards will refuse to cross the state border to leave Ukraine, even if all other documents are available.

Another reason for refusal is the presence in the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service and Reservists of information about the filing of a wanted list by the National Police.

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Male volunteers

From February 25, 2025, the rules for traveling abroad for male volunteers in Ukraine have changed. According to Cabinet Resolution No. 213, men aged 18–60 who are transporting humanitarian or medical cargo can no longer cross the border using a special procedure. The decision to travel is no longer made by either the Ministry of Development or military administrations, and the “Shlyakh” system for volunteers is no longer used. Currently, travel is possible only on general grounds — in particular, for men over 60, people with disabilities, or those who have legal grounds for a postponement.

Male railroad workers and sailors

Male athletes and coaches

This category of men has the right to cross the border only upon the decision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports on inclusion in the composition of participants of a sporting event or competition. Or by the letter of the Minister about participation of these persons in competitions.

Men working in the media, strategic and information communications sector

From January 1, 2026, men aged 23 to 60 who work in the media, strategic and information communications sector will be able to obtain permission to temporarily travel abroad for up to 60 days.

The basis for crossing the border is an official letter from the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, which indicates the purpose of the trip, dates of departure and return, as well as the checkpoint.

What documents are needed for departure?

To cross the border, you must have:

- International passport;

- Military registration document (in paper or electronic form).

- Additionally, for representatives of the media and strategic communications, you need: a letter from the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting, an invitation from a foreign organization with a translation into Ukrainian.

Important! The lack of necessary documents or inconsistency of data in military records may be grounds for refusal to travel abroad.

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Travel abroad for students in 2026

To travel abroad in 2026, students must:

- Study full-time in institutions of higher education of Ukraine state or communal forms of ownership and receive a bachelor's degree (master's degree of medical, pharmaceutical or veterinary direction).

- Be participants of educational academic mobility.

- To go to study in foreign educational institutions for a period of 1 semester.

Note! This category of citizens must also update their data in the TCC and have military registration documents with appropriate marks.

Answers to frequently asked questions about crossing the border by men

What laws regulate men traveling abroad during martial law in Ukraine?

1. “Rules for crossing the state border by citizens of Ukraine”, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 27.01.1995 No. 57
2. Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 64/2022 dated February 24, 2022 “On Introduction of Martial Law in Ukraine”
3. Presidential Decree No. 65/2022 of 24 February 2022 on general mobilization
4. Law of Ukraine “On the Procedure for the Departure from and Entry into Ukraine of Citizens of Ukraine”.
5. Law of Ukraine “On mobilization preparation and mobilization”.
6. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1031 of August 26, 2025, “On Amendments to the Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine”

Military ticket: how does it differ from the old military ID and is it the only valid one?

Can those “excluded from military registration” travel abroad?

Can a man who does not live with his children in the same family go abroad?

Can men who permanently reside abroad and decided to come to Ukraine cross the border without hindrance?

Effective June 1, 2024, Ukraine abolished the “residence abroad” exemption for men aged 18 to 60. This applies to those who permanently reside outside of Ukraine and have the appropriate marks in their documents on leaving for permanent residence. Such persons can no longer leave Ukraine, even if they have other citizenship. This information was confirmed by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Can men who have a work visa of an EU country leave Ukraine?

What to do if a man with the right to exit is refused to cross the border?

Once again we remind you that since July 17, 2024, the presence of a military registration document is a

a mandatory condition for crossing the border for men between the ages of 18 and 60. It is possible to present both paper and electronic versions of the document. In the absence of a military registration document, crossing the border to leave Ukraine will be denied.

- The decision must be justified and contain clear reasons for refusal;

- The decision on refusal to cross the state border must be made in writing and accordingly executed in two copies - for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and for the person who was denied exit.

- If the person refuses to sign the decision on refusal to cross the border, an act is drawn up;

A person who has been refused to cross the state border has the right to appeal against this decision, according to part 1 of article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Border Control”. To do this, you can appeal to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Appeals of Citizens”, or to the court.

Hotline and other contacts of the State Tax Service of Ukraine

1) 1598 is a multi-channel number of the STSU for free calls from Ukraine;

2) 38 (044) 527-63-63 - city number

3) dovira@dpsu.gov.ua - to receive consultations using e-mail in online mode (response within three working days).

4) 0 800 505 063 - a special line for relatives of servicemen who do not contact for a long time

Recall! Before leaving Ukraine, it is necessary to carefully study the rules for crossing the border. Read more about the rules for leaving Ukraine in 2025, the package of documents required, the specifics of crossing the border for persons liable for military service and who is eligible to leave, as well as the nuances of crossing the border by car and customs control rules here.

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