Ukraine/Worldwide: Update on Situation in Ukraine
February 24, 2022
At a Glance
- Despite the escalating conflict in Ukraine, we hope you and everyone on your team is safe. Employers working to ensure the safety of their employees should be prepared for delays in immigration processes.
- All airports in Ukraine are closed and the land border with Belarus is closed.
- Several countries have closed their consular posts or are currently reducing posts’ operating hours or limiting services to citizens. Some countries have relocated consular services from Kyiv.
- Despite the current situation, Ukrainian government offices are functioning normally, although this may change at short notice.
- The situation is fluid and further closures should be expected.
The situation
- Airport and land border closures. All airports in Ukraine are closed to civilian traffic and the land border with Belarus is closed. Individuals seeking to leave Ukraine should contact their countries’ consular post, as reports indicate that some countries are organizing evacuations.
- Consular post closures. The declaration of the state of emergency in Ukraine is impacting consular posts. A list of examples follows, but reports indicate that other countries are similarly reducing consular services and/or closing consular posts. Contact your Fragomen immigration professional or consular post directly for specific information.
- The Australian Embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed, with operations re-located to Lviv.
- The Belgian embassy in Kyiv continues to operate.
- The Embassy of Canada in Kyiv has temporarily suspended its operations.
- The Czech Republic has temporarily closed both consular posts in Kyiv and Lviv. Authorities are exploring alternative immigration filing options. Ukrainian nationals legally staying in the Czech Republic can renew their status in country if required (e.g., for short-term visa renewals which must typically be renewed from abroad).
- Germany has temporarily closed its Embassy in Kyiv and German visa applications are not being accepted there at this time.
- The Netherlands has closed its embassy in Kyiv. There is an emergency location in Lviv, but it only services Dutch citizens and their family members. Affected applicants can request the Dutch Immigration Authority to file in-person visa applications at another consular post.
- The United Kingdom visa application centre in Kyiv is closed. 24-hour visa processing is available to foreign national family members of UK citizens in Ukraine. Detailed instructions and other concessions are listed here.
- As a reminder, Ukrainian nationals holding biometric passports do not require a short-term visa for the European Union.
- Consular services at the United States Embassy in Kyiv are suspended, including interview waiver services. Nonimmigrant visa applicants may try to obtain appointments in any country in which they are physically present, subject to appointment availability. Immigrant visa applicants with cases currently pending in Kyiv may be able to request a transfer of processing to another consular post, subject to the post’s eligibility requirements and agreement to accept the transfer.
- Government operations. Government offices in Ukraine are currently functioning normally, although this may change at short notice. Ukrainian visa applicants and those seeking other immigration services in Ukraine (including passport applicants) should contact their immigration professional for specific guidance.
- Special programs for individuals leaving Ukraine. There are currently no reports of countries introducing special immigration programs or concessions for individuals seeking to leave Ukraine. Fragomen is monitoring global responses to the situation in Ukraine and will provide additional updates as they become available.
Looking ahead
The situation is fluid. Further government office closures and impacts are expected. Affected travelers and individuals should contact their immigration professional for specific guidance.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
