Passport issuance for Ukrainian citizens – changes after August 16, 2024

New rules for issuing passports for Ukrainian male citizens, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in Resolution No. 932, introduce mandatory verification of military registration documents (MRD) for men aged 18 to 60. Depending on whether the citizens submit documents within Ukraine or abroad, different procedures and requirements are set. Special attention is given to men aged 18 to 25, who may face specific conditions for obtaining passports if they are not listed in the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Military Obligees, and Reservists.

Passport issuance for citizens abroad – submission procedure:

• Verification of the Military Registration Document (MRD): Ukrainian male citizens aged 18 to 60, residing abroad and applying for a Ukrainian passport or travel document, must have their MRD verified. This verification is carried out by employees of the overseas division of the State Migration Service (SMS) or consulate through an electronic system interaction, which includes the Unified State Demographic Register, the SMS’s internal information system, and the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Military Obligees, and Reservists. This system ensures automatic data verification using the “Trembita” electronic interaction platform.
• Denial of passport issuance: If, during verification, it is determined that the MRD is invalid, the citizen will be denied passport issuance. The refusal may be communicated through available communication channels (phone, email) or by mail.
• Passport issuance for men who applied between April 25, 2024, and May 18, 2024: Ukrainian male citizens aged 18 to 60, who applied for a passport between April 25 and May 18, 2024, must meet specific conditions to receive their passport:
  • Presenting the Military Registration Document (MRD): To receive the issued passport, a valid MRD must be presented.
  • Passports will be issued in the same division where the application was submitted.
• Invalid MRD: If data from the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Military Obligees, and Reservists indicates the MRD is invalid, passport issuance can only occur at a territorial division of the SMS in Ukraine. The passport will not be forwarded to overseas divisions or diplomatic missions for issuance.
• Passport issuance for citizens aged 18-25, with no entry in the Unified State Register of Conscripts: Ukrainian male citizens aged 18 to 25, not listed in the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Military Obligees, and Reservists, may face specific conditions when applying for a passport depending on their location (abroad or in Ukraine).
  • Issuing passport abroad:
    If a citizen submits a passport application abroad, and they are not listed in the Unified State Register, they can apply without presenting the MRD. After submitting the documents, their data will automatically be added to the Unified State Register. However, the citizen can only receive the passport after presenting a valid MRD. If the MRD is invalid, passport issuance can only occur at a territorial division of the SMS in Ukraine. Passport forwarding to overseas divisions for issuance is not foreseen.
  • Issuing passport in Ukraine:
    If the citizen applies for a passport in Ukraine and is not listed in the Unified State Register, the passport will be issued without the MRD. However, their data will be added to the Unified State Register after the passport is issued.
• Conclusion:
  Therefore, citizens aged 18 to 25 who are abroad will be able to receive a passport only with a valid MRD. In contrast, those in Ukraine can receive the passport without an MRD, but their data will be subsequently added to the register.

How long will it take to process all data?

• SMS: 10 working days (approximately 14 calendar days, considering a 5-day workweek).
• State Border Guard Service Administration: 10 calendar days.
• Ministry of Defense: 7 calendar days.

From August 16, 2024, to the completion of the final stage, 31 days will pass, and the final stage should be completed by September 16, 2024.