Traveling Abroad During Mobilization: Rules and Restrictions for Individuals with Reservations
Amid ongoing military aggression and the declaration of martial law in Ukraine, the issue of traveling outside the country has become especially pressing.
Besides the general mobilization and conscription of eligible men, many questions arise concerning employees with reservation status who wish to leave the country for vacation or other personal reasons, and what documents are required for legal exit.
Lawyer Maria Hanina from the law firm ‘Romana Satsik’ explained to RBC Ukraine that individuals with reservation status—particularly those working in critically important sectors—may have the opportunity to travel abroad.
Such employees can plan trips not only for work-related purposes like business trips but also for personal reasons, such as vacations, provided they prepare a specific set of documents.
These include a Ukrainian passport, a permit signed and stamped by their employer, an official vacation order, a certificate from the place of employment, and an official document confirming the reservation.
It is also necessary to specify the destination country, travel dates, and expected return date.
Regarding possible restrictions, the expert emphasized that if all required documents are in order, a reserved person likely can pass the border without issues.
However, in practice, situations often occur where entry is denied at some border checkpoints but granted at others, sometimes due to errors or different interpretations of regulations.
Decisions about allowing passage depend on the specific border crossing, and even with the same set of documents, outcomes can vary.
Previously, legal experts warned that having a reservation does not exempt individuals from undergoing a military medical examination, and the necessity of such procedures depends on specific circumstances.