Starting March 1, 2015, Russian nationals will only be able to enter Ukraine with international passports, according to a resolution signed by the Ukrainian Prime Minister. Previously, an agreement between the two countries allowed entry with internal identification documents such as birth certificates and domestic passports. Although the resolution may take time to be fully implemented into law, border agents may have already started denying entry to Russian nationals with domestic passports.
Russian nationals who have already entered Ukraine with a domestic passport and are still in Ukraine after March 1, 2015 may be fined, expelled, or banned from future entry.
Russian nationals will still be able to use diplomatic and service passports to enter Ukraine.
The measure is meant to strengthen Ukraine’s border control in the interest of national security.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Russian nationals seeking to enter Ukraine should contact their immigration professional to discuss international passport options.
Russian nationals who have already entered Ukraine with a domestic passport should leave before March 1, 2015 to avoid fines or other penalties. Such Russian nationals can re-enter Ukraine with an international passport per the resolution.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
© 2015 Fragomen
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