Ukraine: Temporary Suspension of Consular Services for Military-age Male Citizens
April 26, 2024
Country / Territory
Related content
Related content
Effective April 23, 2024, Ukraine has suspended all consular services to all military-age (18 to 60) male citizens living abroad. Affected individuals will no longer be able to apply for or renew passports or other travel documents, or obtain any other type of official Ukrainian document (including marriage certificates). To receive such services, affected individuals must now instead return to Ukraine and apply via the State Migration Authority. Previously, they could access such services through consular posts or authorized external providers (for instance, through the provider State Enterprise ‘Document’). The suspensions will be in effect until May 18, 2024. On this date, recently-approved updates to the country’s mobilization law will come into effect, requiring all military-age men to report to draft offices in Ukraine to update their papers. From this date, it is expected that individuals who have performed all necessary procedures related to reporting for military duty (for instance, conducting a personal information check with either Ukrainian military authorities or consular posts) will be able to again access consular services. Such renewal of services is also expected to apply to those individuals who can prove to authorities that they are unfit for military service or otherwise have a right for postponement of conscription (generally related to health or family reasons). However, as the mechanisms of implementing this policy remain under development, such details remain to be confirmed.
Certain exceptions apply. First, any still-pending consular service requests (including any passport services ordered with external providers) that were submitted prior to April 23, 2024 will still be processed (subject to all application documentation being in order), regardless whether the applicant has complied with the country’s military conscription requirements.
Additionally, affected individuals should be able to submit consular service requests on behalf of other individuals who are not subject to the conscription requirements (i.e. people who are not military-aged men). For instance, an affected individual may still be able to apply for a birth registration document or passport for their child. Upon return, affected individuals (being men between the ages of 18 to 60) would be subject to the country’s current exit ban for all military-aged men. Accordingly, affected individuals who return to Ukraine in order to access consular-related services are expected to be unable to subsequently leave. However, the mechanisms of implementing the new mobilization policy remain under development, and further exceptions may be developed, including with respect to individuals who can prove they earlier left Ukraine legally or are otherwise unfit for conscription. We will update this news brief when the government clarifies the related provisions.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Country / Territory
Related content
Related content
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
O diretor Gustavo Kanashiro compartilha como os cidadãos luso-brasileiros poderiam potencialmente solicitar o visto E-2 dos EUA para investidores.
Fragomen news
The AILA NJ Chapter presents Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho with the Pro Bono Champion Award.
Podcast
Members of Fragomen's Education Practice discuss the UK's digitisation of the immigration system and its impact on the UK education sector.
Blog post
Senior Manager Alfred Chong and Senior Business Immigration Consultant Jonathan Ying discuss the steady rise of Japan's tourism sector, applications for permanent residency and the overall appeal of Japan as a place to live.
Awards
Fragomen and TBB received the “Partnership with an International Charity” award at the 9th Annual Better Society Awards.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock shares how the UK’s salary threshold is impacting businesses.
Media mentions
Nomadic Director Kim Conway discusses technology’s impact on the business travel landscape at the 2024 GBTA Canada Conference.
Media mentions
In an interview, Partner David Grunblatt shares his thoughts on the challenges impacting the future of immigration law.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elisabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travelers should be aware of and how they can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
O diretor Gustavo Kanashiro compartilha como os cidadãos luso-brasileiros poderiam potencialmente solicitar o visto E-2 dos EUA para investidores.
Fragomen news
The AILA NJ Chapter presents Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho with the Pro Bono Champion Award.
Podcast
Members of Fragomen's Education Practice discuss the UK's digitisation of the immigration system and its impact on the UK education sector.
Blog post
Senior Manager Alfred Chong and Senior Business Immigration Consultant Jonathan Ying discuss the steady rise of Japan's tourism sector, applications for permanent residency and the overall appeal of Japan as a place to live.
Awards
Fragomen and TBB received the “Partnership with an International Charity” award at the 9th Annual Better Society Awards.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock shares how the UK’s salary threshold is impacting businesses.
Media mentions
Nomadic Director Kim Conway discusses technology’s impact on the business travel landscape at the 2024 GBTA Canada Conference.
Media mentions
In an interview, Partner David Grunblatt shares his thoughts on the challenges impacting the future of immigration law.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elisabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travelers should be aware of and how they can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.