Is it possible to go abroad with a deferral?

In wartime, men's travel abroad is severely restricted, but certain categories of people can still do so. These categories include men who have a deferment and can prove it. Find out when you can travel abroad with a deferment and how to do it

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The issue of crossing the border with a deferral is regulated by Article 2⁶ of the CMU

Resolution No. 57 of 27 January 1997 ‘Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine’. According to this article, the following documents may be used as proof of deferred entry

- a certificate of study in the prescribed form;

- a note in the military registration document on the existence of a deferment.

If a person has such confirmation, he or she can cross the border. In this article, we have collected information on who is eligible for the deferment, which authorities establish it, and how to prepare for crossing the border.

Are you planning to cross the border with a delay? Visit Ukraine lawyers will advise you at every step of the way.

Who is eligible for a deferral?

The list of persons who may be granted a deferral is set out in Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Mobilisation Preparation and Mobilisation:

- Employees;

- Persons with disabilities or persons temporarily unfit for military service;

- persons with 3 or more dependent children under the age of 18;

- a person raising a child under 18 years of age on his/her own;

- a person raising a child with a disability under the age of 18;

- persons raising children with serious illnesses (including nervous system disorders, developmental disabilities, etc;)

- adopters of orphans and children deprived of parental care;

- dependents of an adult child with a disability of group I or II;

- persons engaged in caring for a sick family member;

- guardians of an incapacitated person;

- persons caring for the other spouse who has a disability of group I or II;

- persons caring for the other spouse with a disability of group III (under certain conditions);

- persons who care for parents or other family members with disabilities of group I or II (provided that there is no other person who could care for them);

- persons who have a child under the age of 18 and the other spouse serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;

- teachers and employees of scientific institutions;

- persons whose close relatives were killed during the ATO or war (a detailed list is provided in the relevant law;

- Heads of ministries and their deputies, heads of state bodies, public administration bodies with jurisdiction over the entire territory of Ukraine;

- Members of Parliament of Ukraine, members of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;

- judges, judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, members of the High Council of Justice, members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, the Head of the Service of Disciplinary Inspectors of the High Council of Justice, his/her deputy, disciplinary inspectors of the High Council of Justice;

- The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;

- the Chairman and other members of the Accounting Chamber;

- employees of military administration bodies;

- diplomatic officers;

- civil servants preparing opinions on draft legal acts.

For a detailed list of categories of persons who may cross the border in 2025, please follow the link.

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How is the postponement of conscription for mobilisation formalised?

The postponement of a call-up for military service during mobilisation is issued through the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service and Reservists on the basis of data obtained from other state registers or databases confirming that a person liable for military service is entitled to one of the above postponements.

How do I prepare for crossing the border with a deferral?

1. If you are a student, contact the dean's office to obtain a certificate of study. Check the certificate in detail to ensure that it matches the form (link at the beginning of the article).

2. If you belong to any other category eligible for deferment, make sure that the relevant note is in your military registration document and that the validity period allows you to cross the border.

3. Make sure you have documents confirming your right to deferment.

4. In case of doubt or if you are crossing the border with a deferred entry for the first time, contact a lawyer - this way you will be sure of the success of your trip.

Just a reminder! Earlier, we told you whether the military is obliged to take out MTPL in 2025.

Photo: Freepik

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