Amidst the ongoing martial law, the issue of crossing the state border remains one of the most pressing for millions of Ukrainians. Rumors and gossip that border guards might stop citizens due to debts or lack of documents often cause unnecessary panic. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Ukraine has taken on the task of clarifying the situation to debunk popular myths and clearly outline which circumstances can actually become an obstacle to leaving the country.
Myths about Debts and Sick Leaves
One of the most common fears among citizens is the belief that having credit obligations can become a reason for refusal to cross the border. According to MIA representatives, this is not true. Border guards do not check the credit history of citizens during passport control.
A similar situation exists with sick leave certificates. Many mistakenly believe that a person on sick leave does not have the right to leave the country. The ministry stated that obtaining a sick leave certificate is not grounds for a ban on exit. These documents are simply not checked at checkpoints.
Legal Grounds for Restrictions
Employees of the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) are guided exclusively by the letter of the law. The right of a citizen of Ukraine to leave the country can be temporarily restricted only in strictly defined cases provided for by legislation. Any other reasons not recorded in regulatory acts cannot be used by border guards to deny exit.
It is important to understand that the control system works according to a clear algorithm, and arbitrary decisions by service employees are excluded. If a citizen has no official restrictions imposed by the court or other authorized bodies, they can leave the territory of the country without hindrance.
What Must Be Carried
Despite the lifting of many restrictions, a number of requirements remain relevant. In particular, the MIA reminded of the importance of having military registration documents. During martial law, all men aged 18 to 60 are required to have a military registration document with them. This requirement is enshrined in paragraph 6 of Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization".
The document can be presented in both paper and electronic form. It is this document that the SBGS representative will check when crossing the border. The absence of a military ID card or the corresponding electronic certificate can create serious problems during control.
Changes in Rules for Women
It is also worth noting that the Government of Ukraine previously lifted restrictions on crossing the border for all women. This decision simplified the exit procedure for a significant part of the population, although men of conscription age remain in the focus of attention of border services.
The MIA clarifications, published within the framework of the "Ask the MIA" project, are designed to help citizens navigate the current situation and not succumb to the influence of unreliable information. Knowing the real rules for crossing the border helps avoid unnecessary stress and delays at checkpoints.