On August 20, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons Participating in the Defense of Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity and Inviolability No. 9585. This law will simplify the process of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreign military personnel, as well as for their family members. Additionally, the procedure for obtaining temporary residence permits and immigration permits to Ukraine has been simplified.
Key changes in the process of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreign military personnel:
- The possibility of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship in a simplified manner for persons who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, or the National Guard of Ukraine, as well as for persons involved in the defense of Ukraine as part of territorial defense forces or volunteer formations of territorial communities.
- Foreign military personnel, as well as their spouses and children, will be able to submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship. This removes the need to renounce previous citizenship, which is often problematic for foreigners serving in other countries.
- The list of grounds for denying citizenship to foreign military personnel has been expanded (e.g., posing a threat to Ukraine’s national security).
- Foreign military personnel, their spouses, and children will be able to submit an expired passport to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. This is relevant for citizens of countries where a passport exchange requires returning to their home country and exposing themselves to danger.
- Foreigners who are active military personnel will be granted a deferral for passing exams on the history, Constitution of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian language during martial law and for two years after its cancellation.
The date of the new law’s enactment will be announced later. We will provide a more detailed review of its provisions in future publications once the final text is released.
The adoption of this law and the simplification of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreign military personnel will contribute to ensuring the principle of fairness in the implementation of migration policy towards those who defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. This will provide proper recognition and support for those fighting for the freedom of the state, offering them additional opportunities for integration into Ukrainian society. Moreover, the law will be an important step in strengthening the state’s social responsibility towards those who have taken up the defense of national interests. Such an approach will also increase citizens’ trust in Ukraine’s migration policy.
More information about the immigration programs of Ukraine you can read here.
If you are interested in the service of obtaining citizenship for foreign military personnel, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you!
