Assistance for Canadians in Ukraine - Russian invasion of Ukraine

Due to the Russian military invasion, the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine has temporarily suspended in-person services. If you’re in Ukraine, you should shelter in a secure place unless you are able to leave the country safely.

On this page

• Leaving Ukraine
• Border entry requirements
• Border wait times
• Permanent residents
• Travel advice

Leaving Ukraine

Ukrainian airspace is closed. Use your judgment to decide the safest means and routes to exit Ukraine. The ability to provide assistance to Canadians who are in Ukraine is severely limited.

Canadian officials in neighbouring countries are working tirelessly with international partners to help ensure unhindered passage of Canadians and Permanent Residents of Canada wishing to leave Ukraine.

If you are returning to Canada, check COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for information about the health requirements for entering Canada.

The information on this page can change at any time. Before leaving Ukraine, verify if the local authorities of your destination have implemented any restrictions or requirements related to this situation.

Border entry requirements

Border entry requirements may vary based on your citizenship and the passport used for travel.

You should have a valid travel document. If you do not have a valid travel document, you may be refused entry or be subject to special control measures based on your biometric data. To speed up this process, carry and display any official ID - or birth certificate in case of a child - even if it’s expired or damaged.

Due to the armed conflict, Canadians are exempted from additional entry requirements such as visas or COVID-19 measures.

The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

• Travel Advice and Advisories
• Travel and health measures in the European Union
• Hungary: Information on general rules of border crossing
• Romanian Border Police
• Moldovan Border Police (Romanian only)
• Poland: Regulations governing the movement of persons across borders
• Slovakia: Entry of foreigners during an emergency situation

Border wait times

Wait times to leave Ukraine at border crossings are unpredictable and range from hours to days. You must be prepared to wait and shelter with food and supplies for extended periods. We are unable to provide specific wait times to exit Ukraine.

• Hungarian Police
• Moldovan Border Police (Romanian only)
• Polish north-eastern and eastern border crossings
• Romanian Border Police
• Slovak police Facebook page (Slovak only)

Permanent residents

If you are a permanent resident of Canada and you don’t have a valid PR card, you can apply for a permanent resident travel document to travel back to Canada.

Find out about immigration measures that make it easier and faster for permanent residents of Canada and their immediate family members to return to Canada.

Travel advice

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services.

Related links

• Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
• About consular services
• Large-scale emergencies outside Canada