The government has approved a mechanism for issuing residence permits for foreigners and stateless persons who help the Defense Forces. The document, in particular, strengthens the protection of foreigners who have been at the front for at least six months and are fighting alongside the Armed Forces. UNN reports this with reference to the Ministry of Defense.
The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting adopted a resolution developed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine "On Approval of the Procedure for Obtaining Information Necessary for Processing an Application for Issuance of a Temporary Residence Permit to Foreigners and Stateless Persons".
According to Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhiy Melnyk, foreign volunteers who are involved in providing shooting, tactical, radio, explosive, medical and other assistance will now be more protected. This resolution also strengthens the protection of foreigners who are directly in the areas of hostilities and who, together with the Armed Forces, perform combat or service tasks for at least six months.
The said resolution, in particular, determines:
- a mechanism for obtaining information about foreigners or stateless persons who provide/provided assistance to military units in the areas of combat operations
- requirements for the application of a foreigner or stateless person (or their representative);
- the procedure and timeframe for consideration of the appeal by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- issuance by the commander of a military unit of an information certificate confirming the fact that a foreigner or stateless person has provided assistance to military units, directly stayed in combat areas, or participated with such units in the performance of combat or service tasks,
- a mechanism for sending documents to the SMS that are the basis for issuing a temporary residence permit and notifying a foreigner or stateless person of this.