Ukrainian Parliament votes for legal status of foreign volunteers defending Ukraine
Photo: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has supported a draft law on the legal status of foreign volunteers (illustrative photo by GettyImages)
The Verkhovna Rada supported a draft law on the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons participating in the defense of the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian MP Oleksii Honcharenko.
In particular, it is envisaged to allow foreigners and stateless persons who are defending Ukraine to obtain temporary residence permits or immigrate, even if their documents are expired.
The Verkhovna Rada also supports granting family members of the military the right to temporary residence.
Draft law No. 9585
The draft law provides for:
- Possibility of obtaining immigration permits or acquiring Ukrainian citizenship based on expired passport documents, as well as the possibility of obtaining temporary residence permits for foreigners and stateless persons involved in the defense of Ukraine as part of the territorial defense forces or volunteer formations of the territorial community to regulate their legal status of stay in Ukraine
- Family members of persons who have signed a contract for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine will be eligible for a temporary residence permit;
- Citizens of Russia and Belarus who acquired Ukrainian citizenship following the Law of Ukraine "On Citizenship of Ukraine" and submitted an obligation to terminate their foreign citizenship from February 24, 2020, will be required to submit a document on the termination of foreign citizenship within one year from the date of termination or cancellation of martial law if the term for fulfilling such an obligation has already expired;
- Individuals who acquired Ukrainian citizenship during martial law and submitted an obligation to pass exams on the fundamentals of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine, and the level of proficiency in the state language and who are performing military service under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service or the National Guard of Ukraine will have the right to fulfill their obligation within two years from the date of termination or cancellation of martial law.
Background
In August 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers registered Draft Law No. 9585, which proposes to amend the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons participating in the defense of the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine.
In May, the Verkhovna Rada passed the draft law in the first reading.
