Ukraine: changes to immigration authorities

On 24 June 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine abolished the State Department of Immigration, Citizenship and Registration of Individuals and established instead the State Migration Agency.

The newly established State Migration Agency will be the central authority on matters of immigration, registration of individuals, migration and citizenship. It will inherit the functions of the abolished State Department of Immigration, as well as the functions of the State Committee on Nationalities and Religions. Local bodies for migration services, temporary refugee location centres, local citizenship, immigration and individuals’ registration departments and local centres for the confinement of illegal immigrants will also come under the auspices of the new agency.

The authority of the State Migration Agency will in particular include:

• preparation, submission and execution of documents relating to obtaining and terminating citizenship, issue of passports and other identification documents;
• decision-making on granting, cancelling and determining refugee status;
• decision-making on issuing and cancelling immigration permits;
• decision-making on shortening durations of stay, deportation and prohibiting entry;
• issue of invitation letters for entry, documents for temporary stay in and exit from Ukraine; and
• issue of other identification documents for nationals, foreigners and stateless persons.

The State Migration Agency will also be authorised to undertake compliance reviews and audits of state and municipal authorities, business entities and citizens and make proposals on eliminating violations.

Law: Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 643 “On Creation of the State Migration Agency” dated 24 June 2009