According to what documents can foreigners stay on the territory of Ukraine during the war?

The rules for foreigners to stay in Ukraine are governed by migration law. Find out what documents confirm the right to legal stay in Ukraine and how to obtain them

Take care of insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Foreigners and stateless persons staying in Ukraine must comply with Ukrainian migration legislation, contact the state authorities in advance, and submit documents either to extend their stay or to apply for a residence permit.

If you are in an unusual situation or are unsure how to extend your stay or apply for a residence permit, please contact Visit Ukraine for legal advice. Our specialists will explain the current rules and suggest possible options.

What documents are required to enter Ukraine?

The introduction of martial law in Ukraine does not entail any changes or restrictions on border crossing rules for foreigners (except for citizens of the aggressor country). Therefore, to cross the border, a foreigner must have:

– a valid foreign passport (except for citizens of Turkey and Georgia, who can enter on the basis of an ID card);

– a visa (unless otherwise provided by law or a visa-free regime has been established with the country);

– confirmation of the purpose of the trip (invitation from a Ukrainian citizen or to participate in events/conferences, tourist voucher, hotel reservation, etc.);

– confirmation of sufficient funds for the entire duration of stay in Ukraine and for return to the country of origin;

– insurance policy.

Please note! Due to the introduction of martial law, any foreign insurance automatically ceases to be valid after crossing the Ukrainian border. Therefore, you must take out an insurance policy through a Ukrainian insurance company or a foreign insurance company that has a representative office in Ukraine. We recommend purchasing insurance covering war risks, which will cover not only standard medical care/treatment/diagnostics, etc., but also accidents and injuries caused by passive or direct risks of war.

You can take out such insurance on the Visit Ukraine website online by selecting the coverage and amount of compensation for the required period.

How to check what documents are required to cross the border?

The Visit Ukraine website has a special form that allows citizens of any country to check the current entry rules and find out what documents are required to cross the border. To use it, follow this link and select your citizenship from the drop-down list.

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What documents are required for legal stay in Ukraine?

If a foreigner plans to stay in Ukraine longer than allowed by the visa-free regime or visa, or if the purpose of their stay is related to employment, volunteering, or other circumstances specified by law, then in order to legally reside in Ukraine, such a person must obtain a permit or other relevant documents.

If you need advice on obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit in Ukraine, please contact Visit Ukraine lawyers. Our specialists will answer your questions and, if necessary, help you collect and submit the necessary documents.

At the same time, in the context of the war, it is particularly important to focus on two categories of foreigners:

– foreign military personnel who have joined the International Legion of Ukraine;

– foreign volunteers who have come to help.

In accordance with Part 18 of Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons,” foreigners and stateless persons who have signed a contract for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine are considered to be legally residing in Ukraine for the duration of the contract. Foreign military personnel do not need a visa to enter Ukraine. It is also not necessary to contact the migration service to obtain any additional documents for temporary residence in Ukraine. For more information on the procedure for foreigners to join the military and enter Ukraine, as well as residence and acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by foreigners serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, please follow the links.

In accordance with Part 10 of the above-mentioned Law, foreigners and stateless persons who have arrived in Ukraine for the purpose of participating in international and regional volunteer programs or participating in the activities of organizations and institutions that involve volunteers in their activities may legally stay in Ukraine on the basis of a temporary residence permit and registration of residence in Ukraine.

If your situation differs from standard cases, or you need additional clarification regarding the legal grounds for staying in Ukraine, Visit Ukraine lawyers will provide personal consultation and advise you on how to properly prepare your documents.

We remind you! The issue of employment in Ukraine is quite common among foreigners, but finding a job is not the only step you need to take to legally stay in the country. Read what you need to obtain a residence permit on the basis of employment in Ukraine and how to obtain it in our previous article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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