Ukraine allows travel abroad for men under 22: Resolution revealed
Photo: The Cabinet of Ministers revealed a resolution on the travel of 18-22 year olds abroad (Getty Images)
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has issued a resolution allowing men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border freely during martial law.
The rules also apply to citizens who, for various reasons, find themselves abroad. The changes will take effect tomorrow (the day after the official publication of the resolution).
"In the event of martial law being imposed on the territory of Ukraine, restrictions on crossing the state border shall not apply to male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 22 (inclusive), except in cases specified in paragraph 2 of these Rules," the document states.
How it will work
Since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation in February 2022, martial law and general mobilization have been in effect in Ukraine. As a result, men between the ages of 18 and 60 were not allowed to leave the country, except for certain categories specified in a government resolution.
Now, the age range of citizens allowed to leave the country has been expanded: men aged 18 to 22 inclusive have been allowed to cross the border without hindrance.
At the same time, restrictions remain in place for certain categories. This applies to those who hold positions in state or local government bodies — they will still only be able to leave the country on business trips.
When crossing the border, men aged 18-22, like other categories of people allowed to leave the country, are required to have not only a foreign passport but also a military registration document (in either paper or electronic form). The documents must be presented at checkpoints at the request of a State Border Service of Ukraine employee.
Background
Previously, there had been discussions about the issue of young Ukrainians leaving the country. In July, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized that men aged 18-22 were not subject to mobilization but were restricted in their right to travel abroad.
On August 12, 2025, during the Ukrainian Youth Forum, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had instructed the government and the military to develop a simplified procedure for this age group.
He believes that this will allow young people to maintain ties with the state and provide more education opportunities.
As Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of parliament from the Servant of the People faction, explained in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, due to restrictions, young Ukrainians who wanted to study abroad did not have this opportunity and were forced to look for semi-legal ways to leave. According to him, the initiative was put forward precisely to remove these barriers.
Rada proposed separate law
The Verkhovna Rada registered bill No. 13685, which proposes to allow men under the age of 24 to leave the country. In the bill, parliamentarians propose to maintain restrictions on travel for those who turn 25 this year or next.
Among its initiators is MP Fedir Venislavskyi. He told the agency that the law does not provide for conscription until the age of 25, but young men remain restricted in their freedom of movement.
