Expulsion (deportation) of foreigners from Ukraine

Expulsion from the country is the forced removal of a foreigner or stateless person from Ukraine by decision of the migration service, the border guard service or the SBU (Art. 30 of the Law "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons"). In everyday speech it is called deportation. Ukrainian law does not use this word and distinguishes two measures: forced return and forced expulsion. Both decisions can be challenged in court, and the claim is heard within 10 days.

Why it is better to hand this to a team. The deadlines here are short: a return decision gives up to 30 days to leave, the court hears the claim within 10 days, and the appeal period is also 10 days. We collect the position and evidence at once, for the first claim.

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What to do after an expulsion decision

Expulsion, forced return and entry ban: the difference

Expulsion is applied if the foreigner was detained for illegally crossing the border, there are reasonable grounds to believe that they will evade forced return, or they failed to comply with a return decision on time without valid reasons. An expulsion decision is not made if the grounds are identified at a border checkpoint when leaving Ukraine.

Forced return does not apply to persons under 18 or to those covered by the Law "On Refugees and Persons in Need of Additional or Temporary Protection". Article 31 prohibits returning or expelling a person to a country where their life or freedom is in danger, and prohibits collective expulsion.

How deportation from Ukraine works

1. The authority makes a decision on forced return and gives the foreigner a copy. If the person stayed in Ukraine lawfully, a visa cancellation stamp is placed in the passport, the documents on the right to stay are withdrawn and cancellation of the residence permit begins.
2. The foreigner must leave on their own within the period set in the decision.
3. If they have not left or there is a risk of evasion, an expulsion decision is made. To detain the person, the authority applies to the court.
4. By court decision, the foreigner is placed in a temporary detention centre. The court sets a detention period of up to six months with extension; the total period of detention is no more than 18 months.
5. If a person in a temporary detention centre applies for refugee status, they remain there until a final decision on the application.

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Deadlines for a court appeal

• A claim challenging a return or expulsion decision is filed with the local general court acting as an administrative court at the location of the authority that made the decision or of the temporary detention centre.
• The court hears the case with the mandatory participation of the parties within 10 days from the date the claim is filed.
• An appeal is filed within 10 days from the date the decision is announced.
• The court of appeal hears the case within 10 days after the appeal period ends.
• No court fee is paid for the claim and the appeal in such cases.

It is better to file the claim right after receiving the decision: the departure period in it does not exceed 30 days, and once it ends the authority may proceed to expulsion.

If you face deportation: what to do

• Take a copy of the decision and write down the date and time when it was announced.
• Collect documents on your right to stay: passport, visa, residence permit, extension stamps.
• Prepare evidence of your ties with Ukraine: marriage, children, work, housing, studies.
• If you are in danger in your country of citizenship, tell your lawyer immediately: this is a separate ground under Article 31 and a reason to apply for protection.
• Contact a lawyer before the departure deadline stated in the decision.

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Sources: Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons" No. 3773-VI, Art. 13, 26, 30, 31 (version of 01.07.2026); Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine, Art. 288, 289.

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