Non-Ukrainian students will now be given authorization to depart Ukraine
Ukrainian students at foreign universities can leave the country during wartime, but only under strict conditions laid out by martial law and government regulations.
Full-time students aged 18 to 22, enrolled in Ukrainian state or communal universities pursuing bachelor's or certain master's degrees, are allowed to travel abroad for up to one semester as part of educational academic mobility programs. However, they must pass a competition or selection process [1][5].
Men of conscription age (18-60) face additional restrictions. Those with military registration cards stating "unfit for military service in peacetime, limited fit in wartime" cannot travel abroad under martial law. All men subject to military duty must update their military registration documents and be subject to decision by border guards, who evaluate travel eligibility case-by-case at the border based on military and academic documents [1].
Despite plans announced by President Zelensky in August 2025 to consider easing border-crossing restrictions for Ukrainians under 22 to prevent brain drain and the declining student population, as of now these restrictions largely remain in effect, especially for men 18 and above, who are mostly barred from leaving except under specific regulated cases like academic mobility [2].
Yesterday, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian authorities may allow young people under the age of 22 to leave the country. He has given a corresponding instruction to the government for this initiative [6]. However, it remains unclear whether this rule applies to all students of foreign universities or only those within Ukraine.
The report does not specify whether the deferment from conscription or permission to leave is temporary or permanent. Nor does it provide details on the process for obtaining the deferment or permission to leave [3].
Additional protections and support for Ukrainian students in foreign countries, such as free public university tuition in some EU states and temporary protection status, facilitate education abroad but do not directly affect wartime exit restrictions from Ukraine itself [3][4].
In summary, Ukrainian students can leave for foreign study during wartime only if they meet strict conditions, participate in official academic mobility programs, have proper documentation, and pass border control scrutiny. Relaxation proposals are under consideration, but current rules remain largely restrictive [1][2][5].
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