Government simplifies Combat Veteran Status procedure for foreign defenders
The procedure for obtaining Combat Veteran Status has been significantly simplified for foreigners and stateless persons serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In particular, foreign service members no longer need to submit a criminal record extract.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted the relevant decision at the initiative of the Ministry of Defence.
Previous Combat Veteran Status procedure for foreigners
Under the procedure for granting Combat Veteran Status to foreign nationals and stateless persons, military unit commanders were required to submit the following documents to the Interagency Commission for consideration:
- a copy of the passport accompanied by a Ukrainian translation;
- a copy of the document confirming registration in the State Register of Individual Taxpayers;
- a Form No. 6 certificate (on the person’s direct participation in the relevant activities) under the Procedure approved by Resolution No. 413;
- a full extract confirming that the applicant has no criminal record, generated via the Unified State Web Portal of Electronic Services or obtained through a service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or an Administrative Service Center.
Commanders were required to submit this package of documents within five days of the start of execution of a combat order (directive).
What changes in the Combat Veteran Status procedure
Obtaining a criminal record extract requires the service member to take action personally. However, service members may not always be able to apply for the document in person while carrying out their duties.
This complicated the process of obtaining Combat Veteran Status for foreign service members, so the requirement to submit a criminal record extract has been removed from the mandatory document package.
This eliminates the legal inequality between Ukrainian citizens and foreign service members and simplifies interaction between military unit commanders and the Interagency Commission in the process of granting Combat Veteran Status.
The Ministry of Defence values the dedication of foreign service members who directly defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in combat areas. The decision ensures proper social protection and respect for their rights.
The Ministry of Defence previously explained in detail the changes to the procedure for obtaining temporary residence permits for foreigners serving in the Defence Forces of Ukraine.
