The government has simplified the procedure for obtaining a passport abroad: what men aged 18 to 60 should know
The issue of issuing passports for Ukrainians abroad, especially for men of military age, remained difficult and unresolved almost from the beginning of the full-scale war. Many faced the fact that they could not renew the document or get a new one if they did not have a military registration document or were not registered at all. This put people in a difficult position – without a passport, they lost access to basic services: employment, medical care, education, banking operations, and in some countries even legal residence.
Changes from April 1
On April 1, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine finally changed the rules. A new edition of the Procedure for the implementation of the experimental project on automatic verification and verification of information on conscripts, conscripts and reservists was approved. These changes directly concern the procedure for issuing passports to citizens abroad, in particular to men aged 18 to 60.
The Minister of National Unity of Ukraine, Oleksiy Chernyshov, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, announced the innovation.
“According to the President’s instructions, we continue to improve the provision of services to Ukrainians living abroad.
The government has approved changes to the Procedure for the implementation of the experimental project on automatic verification and verification of information about conscripts, conscripts and reservists, which, in particular, concern the rules for issuing passport documents.
Employees of foreign divisions of Dokument State Enterprise will check the status of military registration in the register. If there are no data, they will be entered automatically and, accordingly, the men will be registered with the formation of a military registration document in electronic form. And what is important: without passing a medical board. After that, the Ukrainian will receive the ordered document within the specified time.” – wrote Klymenko.
What exactly has changed
Previously, in order to issue a passport abroad, men of conscription age had to personally present a military registration document. For most, this meant one thing: you need to go to Ukraine, register with the TCC, pass a medical examination, get a military ID or a military ID, and only then submit documents. Obviously, this was unrealistic for many. People left without documents, did not have a place to live, and were in legal uncertainty.
After the approved changes, everything looks different. From now on:
– It is not necessary to physically present a military registration document.
– The status of a conscript or conscript will be checked in the register.
– If there are no data in the register, they will be entered automatically.
– A person will be registered for military registration remotely.
– The military registration document will be created in electronic form.
– It is not necessary to pass the medical commission.
In other words, the man no longer needs to prove that he is registered. The state itself will take it into account in the process of issuing a passport.
Who falls under the new rules
According to Chernyshov, these changes concern Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 who are outside Ukraine. Their status will be checked through the electronic registry and, if necessary, created automatically.
The foreign divisions of SE “Dokument” are engaged in the implementation of changes. It is to them that you can now apply for the issuance or renewal of a passport without certificates from the TCC and without personally returning to Ukraine.
The changes allow tens of thousands of men who ended up in other countries because of the war to regain access to their rights. This applies not only to the ability to legally stay in the EU or work. It is about a real return to normal life: opening bank accounts, concluding employment contracts, applying for a residence permit or citizenship, obtaining medical services, traveling within Schengen.
Previously, many men of draft age found themselves in complete isolation — without a document and without the possibility of legalizing their stay. Often they applied to the consulates, but received refusals or a hint that nothing could be done without military registration. Now the situation is changing. And for the first time since the beginning of the war, the state actually officially recognizes the right of such citizens to a document, even if they were not registered and did not pass a medical examination.
