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العربية Español فارسی پښتو Русский Українська (Україна)

Information and Resources for People Fleeing the Conflict in Ukraine

  • Updated

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) provides free legal help to some refugees and displaced people. 

IRAP decides to help people based on their need and eligibility for immigration status. IRAP does not decide to help people based on any other social or political or religious criteria.

This website provides general information about legal processes available to some refugees. It is not meant as legal advice for individual applications. 

This information was revised in March 2022. Requirements may change. Always check for current requirements from the government or agency deciding your request.

If you are a refugee in an emergency, we recommend that you contact the UNHCR office in the country where you live. 

 

Introduction

This guide is for people of all nationalities who have fled the war in Ukraine. It is available in Ukrainian and Russian. This is the only guide available in those languages on our website. If you want to check other guides please use the English, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, or Pashto version of the website. 

If you are a citizen of Ukraine, you can enter countries in the Schengen area, or Romania or Moldova, without a visa. You can stay in these countries for up to 90 days. Information about entering these countries is below. If you are in a country in the European Union, you will be able to apply for temporary protection status, which will allow you to stay longer in that country. More information about this status is below.

If you are not a Ukrainian citizen but are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, you can also enter the below countries that neighbor Ukraine. This admission may be temporary (for example, to allow you to arrange to return to your home country). You may also be able to apply for a longer-term status, like temporary protection or asylum, if you had residency in Ukraine or are unable to return to your home country. This depends on what your legal status was in Ukraine and whether you are able to return to your home country. More information about temporary protection status is below. If you do not want to return to your home country, you may want to seek legal advice from one of the organizations below.

 

Temporary Protection Status in the European Union for individuals fleeing Ukraine

The countries of the European Union have agreed to grant temporary protection status to Ukrainian citizens, permanent residents of Ukraine who are unable to return to their home country, and their family members. People who get this status will get a residence permit for at least one year. Each EU Member State will have its own rules for how to access this status.

 

Hungary

If you are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, you are allowed to enter Hungary. No visas are required. If you do not have a passport, you should be allowed to enter, but you may need to wait longer at the border.

For more information on the situation in Hungary for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, see the resources below:

UNHCR’s website (in English) and UNHCR’s website (in Ukrainian) have a list of other organizations that may be able to provide legal and other assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Hungary.

You may also wish to seek assistance from the following organizations: 

Moldova 

If you are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, you are allowed to enter Moldova. No visas are required. If you do not have a passport, you should be allowed to enter, but you may need to wait longer at the border.

For further information on the process in Moldova for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, see the resources below:

You may also wish to seek assistance from the following organizations. 

Poland 

If you are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, you are allowed to enter Poland. No visas are required. If you do not have a passport or other identification document, you should be allowed to enter, but you may need to wait longer at the border. If you don’t have a place to stay in Poland, the Polish government is providing temporary housing and humanitarian assistance.

For further information on the process in Poland for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, see the resources below:

If you are an asylum seeker/refugee, regardless of your nationality and status, you may benefit from the assistance of the following organizations in Poland.

Humanitarian and other assistance: 

Legal counseling/aid services:

Psychosocial assistance: 

UNHCR contacts:

Disability support: 

Generally available services: 

  • Please be advised that as a person fleeing the war in Ukraine you are eligible for free access to the public healthcare system in Poland. If you need medical help, visit the nearest medical office or a hospital and you will be assisted free of charge. Please find details on the official website of the Health Ministry (in Polish). 
  • The Polish Railway (public PKP Intercity & TLK) has announced that Ukrainian citizens can travel with its trains free of charge (information about free train travel available here in Polish). Not all private and municipal railway operators offer free travel. Some major cities have also announced the same for their public transportation systems. You should ask the local information point before you use public transportation without payment.
  • If you need assistance that is not listed above or cannot be provided in a reasonable time, consider requesting help from the dedicated community on Facebook. Please be aware of fraudulent assistance attempts and do not give your documents or goods to people you do not know.

Romania 

If you are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, you are allowed to enter Romania. No visas are required. If you do not have a passport, you should be allowed to enter, but you may need to wait longer at the border.

For further information on the process in Romania for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, see the resources below:

UNHCR Romania’s website (in English) has a list of other organizations that may be able to provide legal and other assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Romania.

 

You may also wish to seek assistance from the following organizations. 

Slovakia 

If you are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, you are allowed to enter Slovakia. No visas are required. If you do not have a passport, you should be allowed to enter, but you may need to wait longer at the border.

For further information on the process set up by the Slovak government for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, see the resources below:

UNHCR Slovakia’s website (in English) has a list of other organizations that may be able to provide legal and other assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Slovakia.

 

You may also wish to seek assistance from the following organizations. 



 

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