Ukrainians abroad were given until June 1, 2025, to pick up their issued passports
For millions of Ukrainians who found temporary shelter in European countries after the start of the full-scale invasion, having a valid document is not just a formality. A passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a foreign passport is a key element that opens access to social benefits, medical assistance, work permit, education and free movement. Those who submitted documents for the production of a passport in foreign divisions of SE Dokument have a limited time to pick up the finished document. Otherwise, they risk being left without it in their host country.
By what time do you need to pick up your passport abroad
State enterprise “Dokument” warns: all passports issued abroad up to and including April 24, 2024 must be collected by June 1, 2025. We are talking about both ID cards and foreign passports produced in consular units and service centers for Ukrainians abroad.
After June 1, 2025, all unissued documents will be transferred to the Main Department of the State Migration Service of Ukraine in Zakarpattia Oblast. Since then, it will be impossible to collect your passport abroad – you will have to go to Ukraine.
What to do in order not to lose your passport
If you applied before April 24, 2024, you need to find out as soon as possible whether your document is ready. This can be done on the official website of SE “Dokument” or by contacting the selected unit directly.
Issuance of passports abroad is currently carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, i.e. no prior appointment or electronic queue is required. However, be sure to check your center’s current opening hours before your visit. Due to the large number of visitors, changes in reception times or temporary restrictions are possible.
In which countries do Dokument SE’s foreign centers work
Today, centers where you can not only submit an application, but also pick up a ready-made passport, operate in a number of European countries — in particular, in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Slovakia, Turkey, and Lithuania. However, please note: some of them may have changed their address or temporarily stopped accepting documents, so it is better to check this information in advance.
What will happen after June 1, 2025
If you do not have time to pick up your passport by this date, it will not be sent abroad. The document will be stored in Ukraine, and in order to receive it, you will have to personally contact the Migration Service in the territory of the country. In wartime conditions, when entry and exit from Ukraine can be difficult or restricted, this can cause significant difficulties.
So, don’t delay getting the documents. If you still haven’t received your issued passport, even if you don’t plan to return to Ukraine in the near future, allocating time to visit the foreign center of SE Dokument will help you avoid further difficulties. Without a valid document, it is impossible to fully legalize your stay, obtain social services, open accounts or cross borders in the EU. This is especially important for children, students and people who change their country of residence or plan to apply for temporary or permanent protection in a new state.
