Photo: Ukraine has amended its border crossing rules (Getty Images) Author: Maria Kucheryavets
Ukraine has recently made a number of changes to its border crossing rules. The innovations concern certain categories, in particular carriers of medical supplies and humanitarian aid, as well as artists and media workers.
RBC-Ukraine in the article below tells what is known about the new rules for crossing the border.
What has changed for drivers of medical and humanitarian cargo
Men aged 18 to 60 who are engaged in the transportation of medical and humanitarian goods may cross the border only on a general basis.
Since the norm, according to which the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine or regional or city military administrations had the right to make a decision on the departure outside Ukraine of drivers carrying out transportation for the needs of the Armed Forces, other military formations formed in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, medical supplies, humanitarian aid supplies by road vehicles from February 27, 2025 is no longer in effect.
What does this mean? Previously, in order to leave Ukraine, such persons had to be entered into the “Shlyakh” system, and the decision on their departure was considered by the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine or regional military administrations.
Now, to cross the border, such carriers must meet general conditions. For example, these are those excluded from military registration or those who have 3 or more children to raise, and so on.
New rules for travel for artists and media professionals
Separate regulations that have come into force regulate the rules for crossing the border for categories of persons related to the sphere of culture, strategic communications, media and the information sphere.
Since March 3, the Ministry of Culture has temporarily suspended the issuance of so-called letters of assistance for military-liable artists and media workers to travel abroad. The department explained that this decision is temporary and will be in effect until the formal procedure is clarified. The purpose of such changes, as the Ministry of Culture says, is to prevent possible abuses in the sphere of cultural diplomacy.
The new amendments stipulate that the passage of male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 60 years, who are engaged in the sphere of culture and information, across the state border will be carried out by authorized officials of the State Border Service, subject to compliance with the rules for crossing the state border and the availability of supporting documents.
The supporting documents for crossing the state border for exit are:
- a letter from the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications or the Ministry of Digital Development to the State Border Service Administration regarding the participation of such persons in events, indicating the planned date of crossing the state border on exit, the estimated date of return to Ukraine, the name of the checkpoint through which the crossing of the state border on exit is planned, as well as the type of vehicle;
- invitation of a foreign organization for the participation of such persons in an event with translation into Ukrainian;
- military registration document with the corresponding marks of territorial recruitment and social support centers or a military registration document in electronic form.
In case of failure to confirm the purpose of the trip, authorized officials of the State Border Service refuse to allow such persons to cross the state border.
Let us recall that during martial law in Ukraine, men aged 18 to 60 are prohibited from traveling abroad. However, there are exceptions for certain categories of citizens who have the right to cross the border if they have the appropriate documents.
In particular, the right to travel abroad is granted to persons recognized by a military medical commission as unfit for military service due to health reasons; men who are supporting three or more minor children; single parents and other categories of citizens in cases provided for by law.
To travel outside the country, you need the appropriate documents confirming the grounds for travel (for example, a certificate of disability, birth certificates of children, documents on guardianship, a certificate of deferment from conscription, etc.).
Let us add that the government recently expanded the list of military personnel who can cross the state border.
This applies to persons whose close relatives (husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, full (half) brother or sister) were killed or went missing during military operations. Or family members (husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, full (half) brother or sister) who were posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine.
In preparing the material, the following were used: explanations from the State Tax Service of Ukraine, a statement from the Ministry of Culture, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated March 4, 2025 No. 244 and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 25, 2025 No. 213.
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