Departure of 17-year-old conscripts abroad: what you need to know during martial law
Many Ukrainian refugees are concerned about the issue of underage boys going abroad. Parents who ended up in other countries with their children are concerned about the fate of their sons, taking into account their age and legal status in the military registration system. This especially applies to families in which sons have reached the age of 17 and have officially registered as conscripts. Can such young men leave Ukraine, are they subject to martial law restrictions, and what documents do they need – these questions concern many citizens.
According to the current legislation of Ukraine, military registration begins with the year men reach 17 years of age. After that, they receive the status of conscript, which lasts until the age of 25, when they acquire the status of conscripts. Despite this, 17-year-old citizens who are on military registration have the right to travel abroad even during martial law. Importantly, this option disappears after reaching the age of 18, when men become subject to general restrictions on travel abroad due to mobilization.
In order to cross the border, a 17-year-old boy must have two main documents with him: a foreign passport and a registration card. The registration certificate is mandatory, as it confirms his status as a conscript and belonging to the military register. Without this document, border guards can refuse to leave, even if the young man has not yet reached the age of 18.
Despite the presence of clearly defined rules, difficulties may arise in practice. Some young men who have not yet had time to issue a registration certificate face problems when crossing the border. In addition, there are cases when border guards may misinterpret the rules, which creates additional obstacles for the departure of minor citizens. Therefore, parents should take care in advance to prepare all the necessary documents in order to avoid unpleasant situations.
The issue of the departure of 17-year-old boys is particularly relevant for families who have moved abroad in search of safety and a better future. On the one hand, the legislation gives them the opportunity to leave the country, on the other hand, the need to complete additional documents creates difficulties. It is important that the authorities take these nuances into account and provide the most understandable and transparent mechanism for the implementation of the right to leave for minor citizens, because this issue is critically important for many families.
