Overstay, fines, deportation, and entry bans

This page explains the penalties imposed on foreigners who overstay in Ukraine or violate immigration rules. Penalties range from fines to forced return, deportation, and entry bans lasting for years. The amounts are based on the version of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (Кодекс України про адміністративні правопорушення, КУпАП) in force as of October 17, 2026.

• Fines are stated in units of the "tax-free minimum income" (неоподатковуваний мінімум доходів громадян).
• For fine calculations, 1 unit is 17 hryvnias.
• Cases concerning foreigners violating stay rules are handled by the SMS or the State Border Guard Service (DPSU). The case is heard where the violation was identified.
• You may appeal the fine decision within 10 days.
• The fine must be paid at a bank within 15 days from the date the decision is served on you. If you did not pay the fine on site, send proof of payment to the authority that issued the decision no later than 3 business days after the end of this 15-day period.
• The biometric data of a foreigner who is subject to an administrative penalty is collected.

• Overstaying the permitted period by up to 30 days; failing to comply with transit rules or address declaration and registration rules: 100–200 units (1,700–3,400 hryvnias)
• Overstaying the permitted period by more than 30 days; living in Ukraine without a residence document or with an invalid or expired document: 200–300 units (3,400–5,100 hryvnias)
• Repeating the same violation within 1 year: 300–400 units (5,100–6,800 hryvnias)
• This article does not apply to:
  • persons under 18
  • foreigners whose document was lost or stolen and who notified the SMS of this in writing within the required period
  • persons who crossed the border to apply for asylum and submitted the application within the required period

• Knowingly failing to comply with an entry-ban decision (Art. 203-1): 100–300 units (1,700–5,100 hryvnias)
• Crossing or attempting to cross the border outside an official crossing point, without documents, or with forged documents (Art. 204-1): 200–500 units (3,400–8,500 hryvnias) or administrative detention for up to 15 days; vehicles and equipment used in the violation are confiscated. If committed by a group or repeated within 1 year: 500–800 units (8,500–13,600 hryvnias) or administrative detention for 10–15 days.
• Violating the rules for entering or leaving occupied territories (Art. 204-2): 100–300 units (1,700–5,100 hryvnias)
• Failure of the host party to fulfill its obligations (Art. 205): the inviting person or organization that fails to ensure that the foreigner applies for documents on time or fails to report that the grounds for the stay have ended is fined:
  • individuals: 50–100 units (850–1,700 hryvnias); officials of organizations: 100–200 units (1,700–3,400 hryvnias)
  • for repetition within 1 year: individuals 100–150 units; officials 200–300 units
• Employer penalty: an employer who employs an unauthorized foreigner is fined 20 minimum wages per person; an employer who employs a foreigner outside the conditions of the permit or for another employer is fined 10 minimum wages per person.

• A foreigner who violates legislation on foreigners or border rules, or acts contrary to national security or public order, may be returned to their country or to a third country.
• The decision is issued by the SMS, the Security Service of Ukraine (СБУ), or a border guard unit.
• The decision specifies a period for leaving the country. This period may not exceed 30 days.
• An entry ban of 3 years may be added to the decision. The ban runs from the date of the decision.
• Your visa is canceled and your residence document is taken back together with the decision.
• You may apply to a court against the decision.
• Forced return does not apply to persons under 18 or to asylum applicants.

• It applies in the following cases:
  • being caught while illegally crossing or attempting to cross the border
  • there being serious indications that the person will evade a return decision
  • failing to comply with a return decision within the prescribed period without a valid reason
• Under the current text of the law, a deportation decision is issued by the SMS, a border guard unit, or the Security Service.
• A person deported is subject to a 5-year entry ban. This period is added to the duration of any previous ban.
• The person to be deported may, by court order, be placed in a temporary accommodation center for foreigners who are staying illegally. The maximum stay there is 18 months.
• The deportation costs are paid by the person themselves. If they have no money, the costs are covered by the state budget. Unpaid debts may be grounds for refusal of future entry.

• Entry into Ukraine may be prohibited in the following cases:
  • for reasons of national security or combating organized crime
  • to protect public health or the rights of others
  • knowingly providing false information or forged documents in an application
  • a forged, damaged, or another person's passport or visa
  • violating border, customs, or health rules at a border crossing
  • leaving an unpaid fine, unenforced decision, or debt to the state or individuals from a previous stay
  • entering or leaving occupied territories contrary to the rules
• The entry-ban decision is issued by the SMS, the Security Service, a border guard unit, or the National Police. The ban lasts 3 years.
• A foreigner who violates the ban receives a new 10-year ban. This period is added to the remaining period of the previous ban.
• Information about banned persons is entered into the database of persons denied entry.

• A foreigner who no longer has a legal basis for staying, or who cannot leave because of lack of money or loss of a passport, may apply to the SMS for voluntary return (добровільне повернення) by the last day of their permitted stay.
• If the SMS accepts the application, it issues a document. This document allows you to remain temporarily and legally in Ukraine until the return is completed. The process takes no more than 60 days.
• Your departure from Ukraine may be prevented if criminal proceedings or a criminal trial against you are ongoing, if you have not completed a criminal sentence, or if required for national security.
• A court may postpone your departure until you pay debts owed to individuals and companies.

• Your application for a temporary residence card will be rejected while you have an overstay (see U2.1).
• Your application to extend your stay will be accepted only after a fine has been imposed (see U2.3).
• Immigration permission is not granted to persons previously penalized for illegally crossing the border (see U2.2).
• If a return or deportation decision is issued against you, your work permit will also be withdrawn (see U3.1).

• SMS: hotline +380 44 363 22 50; citizen reception office at 9 Volodymyrska Street, Kyiv 01001. For regional offices, see U2.1.
• State Border Guard Service (DPSU): hotline 1598 (from within Ukraine)
• Turkish side: emergency line of the Embassy in Kyiv +380 63 211 47 65, emergency line of the Consulate General in Odesa +380 93 711 00 26, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center (24/7) +90 312 292 29 29.
• Consult a lawyer in serious situations such as a return or deportation decision.

• Thinking, "It does not matter if I leave a few days late." An overstay of up to 30 days also requires a fine.
• Paying the fine without keeping the receipt or sending it to the authority.
• Failing to notify the SMS in writing on time about a lost passport.
• Missing the departure deadline in a return decision. This may result in deportation and a 5-year ban.
• Trying to re-enter while an entry ban is in effect. The ban is extended by 10 years.
• As a host, failing to track the document expiry dates of the foreigner you invited.

• What happens if I leave a few days late? For an overstay of up to 30 days, the fine is 1,700–3,400 hryvnias. An unpaid fine is grounds for refusal in future entry and residence applications.
• What happens if I do not pay the fine? An unpaid fine remaining from a previous stay is grounds for an entry ban. Your residence and extension applications will also be rejected.
• My passport was lost and my permitted period has expired. Will I be fined? Article 203 does not apply if you notified the SMS of the loss in writing within the required period. Report the lost passport within 3 business days. Apply to a Turkish diplomatic mission for a new document (see O1.2).
• Can I appeal a return decision? Yes, you may apply to a court. Consult a lawyer immediately so that you do not miss the deadlines in the decision.
• What is the purpose of voluntary return? A person with a voluntary return decision is considered to be legally present in Ukraine until the return process is completed. The process takes no more than 60 days.

• Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (КУпАП), current text
• Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners No. 3773-VI
• SMS – Liability for violating immigration legislation
• SMS immigration calculator
• State Border Guard Service (DPSU)