Departure of 17-year-olds abroad during the war: features and possible restrictions
After the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, restrictions on crossing the border for men of draft age increased. The situation for young citizens who have not yet reached the age of 18 is somewhat different: they have more opportunities to leave the country. However, even 17-year-olds can face difficulties when trying to cross the border. Let’s consider this issue in more detail.
Ukrainian legislation allows minors who have already reached the age of 16 to leave the country unaccompanied by their parents. Children who have not yet reached this age can cross the border only accompanied by one parent, while the consent of the other parent is not required. There are special rules for 17-year-old boys, which can cause misunderstandings and even refusals when trying to leave Ukraine.
Peculiarities of crossing the border for 17-year-olds during martial law
According to current regulations, teenagers who have reached the age of 17 can leave the country without the need to obtain additional permission from their parents. However, during martial law, there are certain restrictions on the departure of citizens, which apply to men aged 18 to 60. Taking this into account, some border guards may apply increased vigilance to youths who have already reached the age of 17.
It is worth noting that even if there are only a few days left before coming of age, a 17-year-old boy has the right to leave the country if he has all the necessary documents. In particular, this is a passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a biometric international passport. If the border guards unreasonably refused to leave, this decision can be appealed by submitting a corresponding complaint to the head of the state border protection body, whose name and address are indicated in the decision on refusal. It is also possible to contact the border service hotline at number 1598.
Cases when 17-year-olds may be refused entry
There are specific situations when a 17-year-old citizen cannot leave Ukraine on legal grounds. One of these reasons is the absence of a certificate of attribution. According to Ukrainian legislation, from the age of 16, men must register for military service at territorial recruiting centers (former military commissars). If a 17-year-old boy is not registered or does not have a registration certificate, he may be refused entry to the country.
However, the presence of the registration certificate itself is also not always a sufficient condition for departure. The document must contain up-to-date information about the person’s accounting status, in particular records that he is not subject to the draft. In the absence of such data, border guards may limit the possibility of crossing the border.
What to do in case of problems with crossing the border?
If you encountered difficulties while trying to travel abroad, you should first of all keep calm and carefully read the decision of the border guards. In case of unjustified refusal, you have the right to appeal this decision. To do this, you should contact the management of the relevant border unit or use the hotline.
In difficult situations, it is advisable to seek help from specialists in the field of migration law. They will be able to provide advice on the rules of departure, help with the preparation of the necessary documents and support you in solving any problems related to crossing the border. Remember that each case is unique, and professional help can be decisive for a successful departure from Ukraine.
Thus, while 17-year-old citizens have more opportunities to travel abroad than male adults of draft age, there are certain risks and limitations to be aware of. It is important to prepare all the necessary documents in advance and to be aware of your rights in order to avoid unpleasant situations at the border.
