Ukraine wants to expand the list of citizens who are prohibited from travelling abroad

Ukraine is preparing for new changes in the rules for citizens travelling abroad: MPs have submitted a bill that could expand the grounds for temporary restrictions. Find out what is known about the bill and which groups of citizens may be subject to possible restrictions

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Ukraine is considering a new bill that could significantly change the rules for crossing the border for some citizens. Deputies are proposing to expand the list of grounds on which Ukrainians may be restricted from leaving the country during martial law.

If you live in one of the EU countries and are unsure how to extend your status, you can consult with migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. They will help you with paperwork, status verification, and preparation for transitioning to another type of permit after 2027.

Who may be prohibited from travelling abroad?

The document, registered in the Verkhovna Rada on 14 November, provides for amendments to Article 6 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Procedure for Departure from Ukraine and Entry into Ukraine of Citizens of Ukraine’. The parliament's website states that the bill has been submitted to the leadership for consideration, but the text of the initiative has not yet been published.

Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, is listed among the authors of the bill. According to MPs, the need to clarify and expand the grounds for restrictions is related to the conditions of wartime and the state's need to have clear mechanisms for regulating the departure of citizens.

At the same time, Oleksandr Fedienko stated that they want to ban citizens who have reservations for the period of mobilisation from leaving the country. However, according to him, this ban will not apply to everyone who has booked tickets.

‘This does not apply to everyone who has made a reservation, the restrictions only apply to those who have violated military registration,’ he clarified.

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Europe will forgive Ukraine for not letting young citizens leave

Against the backdrop of international discussions on the document, the debate over the departure of young Ukrainians has also intensified. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Ukrainian men, especially those aged 18 to 22, to remain in Ukraine and perform military service, noting that the mass exodus of young men to Europe is a cause for concern.

Ukrainians who plan to remain in the EU after 2027 should prepare their documents in advance and check their rights. This can be done conveniently with the support of legal experts at Visit Ukraine, who advise on legalization, work, study, and family reunification in Europe.

Reminder! New rules for contract service are being prepared in Ukraine — the Ministry of Defence is developing updated contracts with clearly defined terms of service, additional payments and extended social guarantees for military personnel. Find out what changes await military personnel and when the new contract system will start.

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