Men crossing the border during the war: what has changed?

Which men are allowed to leave Ukraine during the war is a question that remains relevant and complex. New document requirements, separate rules for certain professional categories, and the cancellation of privileges have complicated the departure procedure. Learn more about the current conditions for crossing the border for men aged 18–60.

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With the start of the full-scale invasion, the rules for men leaving Ukraine have changed significantly. Although the latest changes have not altered the list of categories of people allowed to leave the country, new requirements for documents and proof of legal status have been introduced.

We will tell you more about the changes in the border crossing procedure for men subject to military service in this article.

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Mandatory military registration document

From now on, men aged 18 to 60 must have a military registration document — a paper military ID or its digital equivalent in the Diia app — with them in order to pass border control. Without it, even those who are formally entitled to leave may be refused.

The document must contain up-to-date information about deferment, deregistration or other status that allows you to legally leave Ukraine.

Who has the right to leave Ukraine?

Only certain categories of people retain the right to leave, including:

– men with deferment from mobilisation;

– those unfit for military service for medical reasons;

– parents with many children (three or more minor children);

– men who are raising a child on their own;

– persons whose wives are serving in the military and have minor children in common;

– other grounds provided for by law (Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Mobilisation’).

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Special cases and additional conditions for crossing the border: latest changes

Some categories of citizens must have not only proof of their status, but also additional documents. For example, men who served under contract between the ages of 18 and 25 are only allowed to leave the country if they have a certificate from their military unit and the relevant marks in their military registration document.

Separate rules apply to representatives of culture, media, IT and strategic communications: departure is only possible with prior approval from the relevant ministries, an invitation from a foreign party and a full set of accompanying documents.

It should be noted that the simplified departure procedure for drivers of humanitarian and medical cargo is no longer in effect. Now, the general rules apply to this category, as to all other men, with no exceptions.

Given the complexity and variability of the rules, it is especially important not only to check your documents, but also to have an up-to-date legal assessment of your status. If you are unsure whether you can leave the country or have doubts about the required set of documents, we recommend that you contact the experienced migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. They will help you understand the nuances of crossing the border, prepare the necessary documents and reduce the risk of refusal.

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Reminder! In our previous article, we provided comprehensive information on which categories of men can leave Ukraine without restrictions and what documents are required for this. You can find it here.

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