Draft bill #9585 of August 7, 2023 

Sponsor: the Cabinet 

Status: signed by the President 

Who is affected: foreigners and stateless persons who have served or are serving in the Defense Forces of Ukraine 

Summary: 

  • the bill adds a new ground confirming the right to reside in Ukraine: if a person’s stay in the country has officially been extended, it also confirms their right to reside here 
  • foreigners and stateless persons who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as their spouses and children, will be allowed to submit a declaration of renunciation of their foreign citizenship instead of being required to terminate their foreign citizenship when applying for Ukrainian citizenship 
  • prohibits granting citizenship to those who have posed a threat to national security or territorial integrity of Ukraine 
  • during martial law and for six months after its termination, immigration outside the quota will be allowed for a spouse if the other spouse was killed (died) being a service member or law enforcement officer at the time of death 
  • allows foreigners and stateless persons who have served in the armed forces to legally temporarily stay in Ukraine. If they submit an immigration application within six months of being discharged from military service — they may remain legally in Ukraine until they obtain a permanent residence permit 
  • foreigners and stateless persons who have served in the Armed Forces and received a permanent residence permit may legally remain in Ukraine even if their passport has expired 
  • permanent residence permits for foreigners and stateless persons who served in the Defense Forces will be issued based on the request from the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the conclusion by the Ministry of Defense issued based on data from other ministries confirming that individuals applying for a permit provided rifle, tactical, medical, radio technical, explosive, or other assistance to Defense Forces units and participated in combat or service missions with such units for at least six months 
  • citizenship cannot be denied to a foreigner serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine if they have been unfairly convicted of genocide or another grave crime in an aggressor state or in a state that does not recognize the territorial integrity of Ukraine. 

What is right: 

  • the bill will ensure better legal protection for foreigners and stateless persons fighting for Ukraine 
  • the bill facilitates better conditions for these individuals to permanently reside in Ukraine and obtain Ukrainian citizenship for them and their family members. Ultimately, it encourages foreigners and stateless persons to enlist in the Armed Forces. 

Additional information: 

Points Considered podcast: (Un)protected defenders: how does the state care for the military, and what is wrong with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs?