Obtaining passports for men aged 18-60 abroad: the Ministry of Internal Affairs has provided an important clarification

Ukrainians abroad can apply for a passport without having a military record, but there is a nuance. Find out how the data is checked and why you may be denied a passport.

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Since April 2025, the procedure for issuing passports for Ukrainian men abroad has changed. From now on, a valid military registration document is required to obtain a passport, but it is not necessary to physically present it. To clarify the current rules, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has provided an official explanation that applies to all men aged 18 to 60.

What are the new rules for obtaining a passport for men abroad?

According to the updated rules published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on April 8, 2025, Ukrainian men who are temporarily or permanently outside Ukraine may apply to the foreign offices of the State Enterprise “Document” for issuance or extension of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine.

However, the main condition for this is the availability of an up-to-date military registration document, in particular, data in the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service and Reservists.

How exactly is the military status check carried out?

You do not need to present a paper military ID or a digital document in the Reserve+ application. The military registration status is checked by employees of the Document Center independently, online.

This means that when you apply to the center abroad, the employee checks for relevant records in the state register. If they are, the passport issuance procedure continues as usual.

What happens if there is no entry in the register?

If the person's data is not in the register, it will be entered automatically. This means that the citizen will be able to continue with the document without any additional actions.

However, if the military registration document turns out to be invalid, the employee will notify you of the refusal to issue a passport. In this case, the applicant will need to contact the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to resolve the issue of updating the credentials.

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Where can I get a passport abroad?

Today, separate subdivisions of the State Enterprise “Document” operate in several European countries where a large number of Ukrainians are concentrated. In particular, such centers are opened in:

● Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw (Poland)

● Milan (Italy)

● Berlin, Cologne and Munich (Germany)

● Prague (Czech Republic)

● Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona (Spain)

● Bratislava (Slovakia)

It is in these cities that you can apply for a passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a foreign passport.

By the way, you can read a detailed procedure and answers to frequently asked questions about the process of obtaining a passport abroad in our previous article.

What should I do if I have legal questions or need help with the passport application process?

For Ukrainians living abroad, issues related to documents, legalization of status, consular services, or military registration often become a source of stress and misunderstanding. To avoid refusals, delays, and difficulties with submitting documents, contact Visit Ukraine's professional migration lawyers for help.

The lawyers will help you:

● prepare applications and appeals to the competent authorities

● support the process of obtaining a passport or other documents

● provide advice on staying abroad, extending legal status, etc.

Get professional advice to avoid difficulties and get answers to all your questions.

We remind you! It is possible to get an appointment with a Ukrainian consul without a Diya and a Ukrainian bank. Read about the three available alternatives to registering in the electronic queue, even without an ID card, BankID or EDS in our previous article.

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