Ukraine has introduced restrictions on consular services abroad for men liable for military service.
Now persons liable for military service will be limited in consular services if they have not updated their personal data. They will also be able to obtain passports only in Ukraine. However, information has appeared that instead of a passport abroad you can get a gray passport.
What is a gray passport, who can get the document and which countries issue it — read more on ICTV Facts.
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Gray passport: what kind of document is this
Gray passport — This is a temporary identity document, that is, a foreigner's passport.
Free Legal Aid lawyers told ICTV Facts that this document provides international protection and allows a person to stay abroad without documents.
That is, this document allows a person to legally stay in the territory of a foreign state, earn a living, build a career, get an education and have a family.
A gray passport is issued for a limited period, usually one to three years. After this period, it will need to be renewed.
How to get a gray passport abroad
Rules for obtaining a gray passport for Ukrainians may vary depending on the country. As a rule, an application for an alien passport is submitted in person or by mail to the refugee rights office of the host country.
Which countries issue gray passports
BPP lawyers noted that a temporary document can be issued by the following countries:
- Poland;
- Estonia;
- Latvia;
- Germany;
- Finland.
Gray passport in Germany
Gray passport in Germany — This is the so-called foreigner's travel document (Reiseausweis für Ausländer). It does not replace an ID card. Additionally, you will also need to obtain a residence permit in the form of a plastic card.
A foreigner's passport is issued for three years and gives the right to reside in Germany, as well as the right to travel within the EU countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
Gray passport in Poland
In Poland, a gray passport — This is a temporary TZTC (Tymczasowe Zaświadczenie Tożsamości Cudzoziemca) certificate, which confirms the identity of a foreigner and allows him and his minor children indicated in the document to legally stay in the country during the validity period of the document.
The first TZTC is issued by the Border Guard for 90 days (or for 10 days to a foreigner who was transferred to Poland from another EU country under the Dublin procedure and who previously submitted an application in Poland).
The following document is issued by the Chairman of the Office for Foreigners for 6 months based on the application of a foreigner.
The list of documents and a sample of the completed application can be found on the official government website at the link.
List of documents issued to foreigners on the territory of Poland:
Gray passport in Latvia
In Latvia, such a document can be obtained by persons who do not have Latvian citizenship. The so-called gray passport or non-citizen passport is issued at any branch of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. People who have such a document have the right to travel to the countries of the Schengen area without a visa.
You can get it by contacting the migration service in Latvia, regardless of your place of residence. Document production time — within 10 working days.
Grey passport in Estonia
A gray passport in Estonia can be obtained by Ukrainians who have the legal right to live in this country or have a residence permit, and also do not have a valid passport. People who have received such a document have almost the same rights and social services as the local population. The holder of a gray passport can take an exam on knowledge of language, constitution and history and become a citizen of Estonia.
Grey passport in Finland
The gray passport in Finland is called Muukalaispassi. It is issued for a period of 5 years to persons who do not have a valid identity document. It can be obtained by people who have permission to reside in the country as a person in need of protection. Without this document, a gray passport will not be issued. However, this document does not give the right to travel outside Finland.
