The State Migration Service of Ukraine has announced a change in the rules regarding international passports, the validity of which was previously extended due to martial law. From now on, such documents are no longer considered valid.
The department emphasizes that the decision to temporarily extend the validity of passports was an exception during the war, but these rules have now been canceled. Starting from 2026, citizens with such documents may face problems when traveling.
In particular, airlines have the right to deny passengers boarding a flight, and border guards have the right to deny crossing the state border if the passport does not meet the current requirements.
Passports that have expired, documents with officially extended validity, as well as those containing outdated data, including information about children, are subject to mandatory replacement.
These rules apply to both adults and children.
You can apply for a new passport in Ukraine at the State Migration Service units or through administrative service centers. Citizens who are abroad can contact the diplomatic institutions of Ukraine - embassies, consulates or specialized centers.
In case of urgent need, Ukrainians may be issued a temporary identity card that allows them to return to Ukraine.
Thus, citizens are recommended to check their documents in advance and, if necessary, obtain new ones to avoid problems while traveling.
