How to obtain refugee status in Ukraine?

It is easy with Olson Law Firm in Lviv!

In Ukraine, refugee status is defined by the Law of Ukraine "On Refugees and Persons in Need of Additional or Temporary Protection". The law regulates social relations, as well as rights and obligations. Let us begin with the definition under the legislation:

A refugee is a person who, due to circumstances beyond his or her control, was forced to leave the country of his or her civil origin or residence. If there are well-founded fears of persecution, and the person cannot or does not want to use the protection of the state of his or her civil origin or residence, he or she may request asylum in another country. Essentially, a person lived an ordinary life, but circumstances arose that compelled him or her to request asylum elsewhere.

Grounds for obtaining refugee status in Ukraine

International law provides for the possibility of granting asylum by other countries, but it does not oblige them to do so. The factors that may justify such a decision are described in the Geneva Convention and the 1951 UN Protocol on the Status of Refugees. These include persecution on the grounds of nationality, race, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, and others. Persecution in this context refers not to isolated acts by fellow citizens but to systematic persecution by groups with authority (such as government officials or organized criminal groups). All acts of persecution must be documented, and the applicant may be required to provide evidence of repeated attempts to seek protection from state authorities.

Reasons for refusal

• The person committed a serious military, political crime, or crime against humanity.

• The application is motivated solely by financial interests.

• Insufficient evidence of a life-threatening situation.

Rights and obligations of a refugee in Ukraine

The host country guarantees non-discrimination, granting refugees equal rights and freedoms. In some aspects, their rights are similar to those of foreign nationals.

Advantages of obtaining refugee status:

• Preservation of family unity.

• The right to employment, education, and healthcare.

• The right to settle or freely choose a place of residence.

• Protection from forced expulsion.

• Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine (after more than 3 years of residence).

Obligations of a refugee:

• To register every movement with the central executive authority.

• To undergo annual re-registration.

• To comply with the laws and tax system of the host country.

Required documents

• An application for asylum.

• Information about minor children and an application for recognition of a child as a refugee.

• Identity documents.

• Documents proving persecution.

• Four photographs of each family member.

• Fingerprints.

Grounds for termination of status

• Voluntary acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship.

• Change of circumstances that caused the application.

• Absence of threats to life and the possibility of returning home.

• Asylum obtained in another country.

• Voluntary return to the country of origin.