Author
Ukrainian legislation does not foresee the family reunification process per se. However, according to Article 4 of the Law on Refugees, Ukraine promotes the preservation of the unity of refugee families and persons in need of complementary protection. Family members of a person recognised as a refugee in Ukraine or a person in need of complementary protection have the right to enter the territory of Ukraine for family reunification and to be recognised as refugees or persons who need complementary protection.[1] Aside from Article 4, there is no procedure for the family reunification of the refugee family members. Members should apply for international protection following the regular procedure.
Nuclear family members first have to enter Ukraine on general immigration grounds before they can apply for a protection status based on the family unity principle. As there is no special family reunification visa to join persons granted protection in Ukraine (a document confirming that the applicant is a family member of a person granted protection in Ukraine is only one of the general list of documents required to apply for a long-term visa), family members often cannot meet the requirements for the necessary regular entry visa.
Statistical information on the number of visa applications to Ukraine submitted by family members of persons recognized as refugees or beneficiaries of complementary protection in Ukraine is not recorded and is not available to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.[2]
[1] Article 4 Law on Refugee.
[2] MFA response to the R2P request for public information, April 2025.