Legal Navigator for Foreign Military Personnel

Recruitment Conditions

Contents

Conditions

Foreign nationals in Ukraine can serve in:

• The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are the country’s regular military force

• The National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) is a military formation under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

• The State Special Transport Service (SSTS) is a specialized formation that primarily provides support to the above-mentioned forces

If you want to understand your rights and responsibilities, or simply make sure everything is official, here are the key documents that regulate military service for foreigners in Ukraine:

• The Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service (1992, as amended) is the primary law defining the gene

• Regulations on Military Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine by Foreigners and Stateless Persons

• The Law of Ukraine On Military Duty and Military Service (1992, as amended). This is the primary law defining the general principles of military service in Ukraine

Approved by Presidential Decree of Ukraine No. 248/2016 of June 10, 2016

This document provides detailed rules specifically for service in the Armed Forces

• Regulations on Military Service in the National Guard of Ukraine by Foreigners and Stateless Persons

Approved by Presidential Decree of Ukraine No. 84/2024 of February 21, 2024

A similar document regarding the service in the National Guard

How to Begin Service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces

If you are not in Ukraine

1. You need to complete the online form on the website of the Recruitment Center for Foreigners and Stateless Persons of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: https://joinuarmy.org/en/contact/submit-full-application

2. Alternatively, you can submit an application on the website of a specific subunit where you want to serve. For example:

12th Special Forces Brigade Azov: https://www.azov.international/

Third Separate Assault: https://ab3.army/en/for-foreigners/, https://ab3.army/es/for-foreigners/

13th Khartiia Operational Brigade: https://khartiia.org/es

After that, a recruiter will contact you and conduct a remote interview. The signing of the contract and the remaining administrative procedures will take place in Ukraine, where you will be assisted by a recruiter.

If you are already in Ukraine

You may contact one of the following:

1. The Recruitment Center for Foreigners and Stateless Persons, or the military unit where you wish to serve.

2. Recruitment centers of the Ukrainian Army, or recruitment centers of specific types or combat arms: Ground Forces, Air Assault Forces, Naval Forces, Territorial Defense, Special Operations Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces (for the AFU) or the National Guard.

3. The Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TCRSS) – a local military office found in almost every city in Ukraine. It handles enlistment procedures and can assist you with the first steps.

Requirements for Foreigners Joining the Military

• Age: 18 to 60 years old

• Documents: Valid passport or other identification document; documents confirming legal stay in Ukraine (visa, border crossing stamp, temporary or permanent residence permit)

• Health: Fitness for military service (determined during a medical examination)

• Legal background: No criminal record or other legal issues

• Special background screening

• Physical fitness: Basic level of physical fitness

• Psychological screening: Interview and testing

Mandatory Administrative Procedures upon Arrival in Ukraine

These are usually organized by the subunit you have selected.

Obtaining a Tax Identification Number

The tax identification number (called “РНОКПП” in Ukrainian) is an individual tax number without which it is impossible to work officially in Ukraine, receive a salary, or open a bank account. It is equivalent to a TIN, NIF, NI, or a similar number in your home country.

To obtain a tax number, you must prepare a notarized copy of your passport along with its Ukrainian translation, which must also be notarized. At the tax office, you will be provided with a pre-filled application form for obtaining the taxpayer identification number card, which you will need to sign.

You must apply in person to a regional office of the State Tax Service of Ukraine in the regional capital (the list of offices is available here). If you have a temporary residence permit, you may apply to a district or city tax office.

Please note that you must obtain the tax identification number on your own. Processing and issuance typically take 7 to 10 calendar days.

Opening a Bank Account

After obtaining a tax number, you can go to any bank operating in Ukraine.

Prepare the following documents:

• Your passport and its notarized Ukrainian translation

• Taxpayer Identification Number (taxpayer number/РНОКПП)

• Document confirming legal stay in Ukraine (passport with a stamp confirming legal entry within the past 90 days, or a visa, or a temporary or permanent residence permit)

• Information about your place of stay in Ukraine (sometimes this may be a hotel room booking if you have just arrived) and proof of the source of funds (for example, documents confirming the receipt of salary). In practice, this information is often provided verbally and does not require additional documentation.