The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.

General information on border crossing?

For detailed information on the documents required to cross the border, the procedure for crossing, checkpoints and the categories of citizens who are allowed to travel outside Ukraine, please see the link ofย the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

You can get help through theย chatbot here.

- In addition to the chatbot, citizens can also contact the call centre at +38 (044) 224-57-20.

- The SBGS hotline is 1598.

What documents are required to cross the border with animals?

According to the rules that apply to dogs, cats, ferrets and others, it is necessary to have a numbered veterinary passport of an international standard, which must contain

  • a mark on comprehensive vaccination against viral diseases: the last vaccination must be carried out no later than 30 days and no earlier than 12 months before the date of departure
  • a photo of the animal before it reaches the age of 12 months
  • a chipping mark indicating the date of chipping and the location of the microchip
  • a mark of vaccination against rabies (name of the vaccine, signature, seal, date)
  • information on treatment against ecto- and endoparasites (fleas and worms)

Also:

  • chipping or titration prior to rabies vaccination and obtaining a certificate; the microchip implanted under the animal's skin must comply with ISO 11784, ISO 11785 standards
  • an international veterinary certificate for an animal transported through the EU for non-commercial purposes
  • a certificate stating that the animal is not of breeding value

If you have any additional questions, we recommend that you contact the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine:

- dovira@dpsu.gov.ua

- +38 044 527 63 63 (for calls from abroad), 1598 (for calls within Ukraine)

Detailed information on the rules for crossing the border with animals by country

How long can I stay?

Ukrainian citizens who have a biometric passport do not need a visa for the first 90 days. Residents without a biometric passport will be issued a visa free of charge. You have the right to apply for a long-term visa with the right to employment, or apply for asylum in Latvia. A long-term visa will be issued for a one year term. The possibility of renewing the visa will depend on the further development of the situation in Ukraine

You can apply for a visa:

  • In the Central Support Center for the Residents of Ukraine, Kalku Street 1, Riga
  • OCMA territorial offices mceclip0.png outside Riga
  • by post or courier, sending documents to: OCMA Migration Division in Riga, ฤŒiekurkalna 1.lฤซnija 1, k-3, LV-1026 or any territorial division outside Riga.

Documents required when applying for a visa:

  • Copy of your passport (data section and pages with visas and / or border crossing marks).
  • When sending documents by mail a 35mm x 45mm photo is required. No photo is required when submitting documents in person.
  • Long-term visa application form mceclip0.png.

The visa will be issued in the same place where it was requested. Visa is free of charge.

On-site state and municipal services are available at 138 State-Municipal Customer Service Centers (VPVKAC mceclip0.png). They provide assistance to Ukrainian civilians in applying for visas, residence permits and registration of natural persons. The centers also provide advice and help to apply for e-services electronically.

If a Ukrainian citizen has exceeded or is nearing the end of his or her stay in Latvia, no administrative penalty will be imposed, but Ukrainian citizens who have exceeded their length of stay must apply to the Office of Citizenship and Migration for a visa to stay legally in Latvia.

The EU migration calculator mceclip0.png helps to calculate the number of days of stay in EU countries for those who do not apply for temporary protection.

Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?

If an unaccompanied minor is arriving has some sort of identification documents (passport, birth certificate, student certificate or any other document evidencing the childโ€˜s identity) border check and identification will be performed.

A new institution is established under the law โ€” emergency guardianship. The emergency guardianship is introduced for children who have arrived to Latvia from Ukraine without their parents. The law provides that a person to whom an unaccompanied child arrives may become an extraordinary guardian, as well as a person who has been granted the status of guardian or in Latvia, the status of foster family or host family, as well as a person with whom an unaccompanied child has arrived together in Latvia.

To obtain protection, you must contact the border guards or the police of Latvia.

Where do I register for temporary protection?

You can apply for a long-term visa here mceclip0.png:

  • In person in Riga, at the Central Support Centre for the Residents of Ukraine (one stop service point), Kalku Street 1, Riga. The centre is open on weekdays from 9.00 to 18.00. More information is available at riga.lv or by phone +371 80000800
  • At all branches of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), information available here mceclip0.png. For more information, call: +371 67209400 (Monday to Thursday 8.30 to 16.00, and Friday 9.00 to 15.00)
  • By post or courier, sending documents to: OCMA Migration Division in Riga, ฤŒiekurkalna 1.lฤซnija 1, k-3, LV-1026 or any territorial division outside Riga.
How to extend the status of temporary protection?

Ukrainian nationals who received Temporary Protection Status in Latvia in 2022 will have their long-term visas and Temporary Residence Permits extended until March 4, 2024, regardless of the documentโ€™s specified validity period. Temporary Protection Status visas and Temporary Residence Permits already issued will continue to be valid in Latvia, but Ukrainian nationals can request a new Temporary Residence Permit.

The documents will continue to be valid in the territory of the Republic of Latvia, but the Ukrainian resident will have the opportunity to request a new temporary residence permit in the following cases:

  • the person needs to travel outside the territory of the Republic of Latvia (in cases where the person renounces the temporary protection status in the Republic of Latvia and leaves for another country or returns to Ukraine, a new temporary residence permit will not be issued);
  • the visa or residence permit issued to the person has been lost or has become invalid due to damage or changes to the data specified in it;
  • the person has previously been issued a visa, but the person needs to obtain a residence permit in order to use the electronic signature options, or the person's previously issued residence permit has expired, but the person wants to continue using the electronic signature options. long-term visa will be issued for a one year term. The possibility of renewing the visa will depend on the further development of the situation in Ukraine. Source mceclip0.png.
How to issue a foreign passport while abroad?

In order to issue a foreign passport, you need to contact the Ukrainian Embassy mceclip0.png.

A foreign passport is issued to a person who has reached the age of 16 on the basis of an application-questionnaire submitted by him personally. At the same time, the issuance of a foreign passport to a person who has been recognized by the court as having limited legal capacity or incapacity is carried out on the basis of an application-questionnaire of the guardian or other legal representative.

The following are attached to the application:

  • previous passport to be exchanged (if the passport is not issued for the first time);
  • internal passport in the form of a booklet (if available);
  • or ID card (if available);
  • a document confirming permanent residence or temporary stay abroad (if available);
  • certificate of registration of the place of residence in Ukraine / certificate of registration of the place of residence of a temporarily displaced person (if available);
  • a certificate of assignment of the registration number of the taxpayer's registration card (RNOKPP; if available).

In case of loss or theft of the previous passport, a document (report, certificate, etc.) issued by the competent authority of the state in which the passport was lost or stolen is attached to the application, confirming the fact of the owner's application regarding its loss or theft. Such a document is submitted without legalization and translation into Ukrainian.

In the case of issuing a passport in connection with a change in personal data (surname and/or first name), a document confirming such a change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, court decision, etc.) is attached to the application. When issuing a foreign passport with a new surname and/or first name, the "domestic" passport (ID card) must be reissued.

In the event that the applicant has not previously been issued with an identity document, confirming Ukrainian citizenship and/or granting the right to leave Ukraine and enter Ukraine, a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine is provided (with the exception of cases when the person's parents at the time of his were citizens of Ukraine at birth).

How can a Ukrainian refugee register a newborn in this country?

You can register the birth of a child only at the consulate. There, the determination of his origin and the assignment of his surname, first name, and patronymic are carried out.

The application for registration must be submitted immediately, but no later than one month after the birth of the child, and in the case of a stillborn child - no later than three days.

The registration process takes place at the place of birth or at the place of residence of the child's parents or one of them (with a written application). At the same time, in case of illness, death of the parents or for other reasons it is impossible to register the birth - the application can be submitted by relatives or other persons authorized by the representative of the health care institution in which the child was born or is currently.

What is required for registration?

  • a document from a medical institution about the birth of a child, passports certifying the identity of the parents;
  • application (written or addressed orally) to enter information about the father.

Registration is free, and based on its results, parents are issued a birth certificate.

How to return to the homeland with a child born in the Latvia?

In order for Ukrainians to return home with a child born in the Latvia, they must have with them:

  • a document certifying his identity;
  • a child's birth certificate issued by a consular institution.

Is the status of a citizen of Ukraine preserved during the birth of a child in the Latvia?

A newborn Ukrainian in the Latvia retains the status of a citizen of Ukraine. Data on citizenship and nationality in the act record of birth and certificate are not filled in, which is why a corresponding entry is made in the column "For marks".

In addition, a person whose parents or one of his parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of his birth is a citizen of Ukraine. The place of birth of the baby does not affect the possibility of him acquiring Ukrainian citizenship.

Where to apply in case of death of a Ukrainian abroad? How to repatriate the deceased to their homeland?

There are several steps involved in the process of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine:

1. Notify the authorities.

The first step of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine is to contact the local authorities in Latvia, so you can register the death. Ukrainian embassy mceclip0.png should also be able to help you in the process of registering the death abroad.

2. Arrange the correct documents.

Youโ€™ll need to have all the right paperwork before you can repatriate your loved one home from abroad to Ukraine. If you are repatriating a body to Ukraine for burial or cremation, the documents you will need include:

  • Death Certificate.
  • Certificate or Affidavit from the local health authorities stating that the cause of death of the individual to be shipped to Ukraine was not a communicable disease or infections.
  • A Document about the absence of any excessive objects inside the casket or urn with the ashes.
  • The Certificate of Cremation issued be the Funeral home or Cremation office.

All the mentioned documents should be authenticated, legalized and translated into Ukrainian by the certified translator. The originals of abovementioned documents and notarized translations, must accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine.

The passport of the deceased person should be sent to the Embassy of Ukraine along with a notarized and authenticated copy of the Certificate of Death, and a translation from Latvian to Ukrainian. The Embassy is to make correspondent procedures with the passport and can forward it back if it is required to accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine.

The Embassy is to be informed of the date, time, and the place of delivery of the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. Only the next of kin relatives of the deceased, or persons correspondingly authorized by them, can receive the casket or urn.

3. Transport the deceased to Ukraine.

The casket containing the body, or urn with ashes, must be sealed by the Funeral Home. There are no strict requirements with respect to the urn with ashes; however, the body should be transported in a metal casket, made of zinc-plated steel or tinplate not more than 0,4 thick.

For the air cargo transportation, it is necessary to specify a cemetery in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Funeral Home which will take care of the casket, or the urn with ashes, in Ukraine. Both are a subject of private choice by the relatives or friends of the deceased person. Source mceclip0.png.

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