Ukraine and Russia: Embassy Closures and Government Travel Warnings

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

This article was originally published on 14 Feb. 2022 and was updated on 23 August 2022 to reflect new information. 

Due to the crisis in Ukraine, many governments across the globe have issued statements regarding the safety of their citizens in Ukraine and Russia. Some have closed or limited Embassy and Consular operations in these jurisdictions. For an evolving list of these government announcements, please see the updates below:   

European External Advice Service

On 12 Feb. 2022, the European External Advice Service (EEAS) announced that its diplomatic missions in Ukraine will remain operational in order to support EU citizens in Ukraine. Staff presence and travel advice for EU citizens may be updated as the situation develops.  

Argentina 

The government of Argentina will grant Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members permission to apply for an entry and humanitarian visa that will allow them to live and work in the country for a period of up to three years. To qualify, applicants must have been outside of Argentina on or before 8 March 2022.

Aruba 

The government of Aruba closed its airspace to Russian-owned or managed aircraft and implemented sanctions on Russian-owned aircraft registered in Aruba.  

Australia

On 13 Feb. 2022, the government of Australia advised its citizens against travel to Ukraine. Australian citizens currently in Ukraine are advised to leave the country via commercial means. Australians who remain in Ukraine are encouraged to register their whereabouts with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The government of Australia withdrew all staff from the Australian Embassy in Kyiv. Operations will temporarily continue from the Embassy office in Lviv.  

Austria  

On 20 Feb. 2022, the government of Austria dispatched a crisis team to Ukraine to provide assistance to employees of the Austrian Embassy and assist with travel plans for Austrian nationals currently living in or traveling through Ukraine. The government requested that Austrian nationals who can leave the country do so as soon as possible.  

Belgium

On 14 Feb. 2022, the government of Belgium advised all its citizens to avoid travel to Ukraine. Belgian citizens currently residing or traveling in Ukraine, whose presence is non-essential, are advised to leave the country at the soonest possible date. Belgian citizens that remain in Ukraine should register their travel information and inform the Belgian Embassy in Kyiv. For additional information, click here.  

Brazil   

The government of Brazil has advised Brazilian citizens in Moldova to register with the Brazilian Embassy in Kyiv due to the deteriorating security situation in the country. Citizens can register here.  

The government of Brazil published a government website with information on consular service points available to Brazilians in the Ukraine region.  

On 7 March 2022, the government of Brazil published a map of consular offices throughout Europe that are available for Brazilian nationals fleeing Ukraine.   

The government of Brazil has advised Brazilian nationals to exit Ukraine via a road crossing between Ukraine and Poland. The Embassy of Brazil in Kyiv has opened online communication channels to provide travel advice.  

On 24 Feb. 2022, the Brazilian Embassy in Kyiv recommended that any Brazilian who can travel via their own means travel to a country west of Ukraine as soon as possible. Brazilians in Kyiv are recommended to not leave the capital due to security concerns and traffic delays. Brazilian nationals remaining in Ukraine are advised to register their stay at the Brazilian Embassy.  

Bulgaria

On 24 Feb. 2022, the government of Bulgaria announced that three border checkpoints will be opened for Bulgarian citizens leaving Ukraine.  

On 12 Feb. 2022, the government of Bulgaria requested that all Bulgarian nationals refrain from traveling to Ukraine. Bulgarian nationals currently residing or traveling in Ukraine are advised to leave the country at the soonest possible date. The government of Bulgaria recommends that Bulgarian nationals who are temporarily or permanently residing in Ukraine fill out a travel registration form.  

Canada

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, the government of Canada launched the new Canada Information Centre (CI Centre) in Warsaw, Poland on 4 May 2022. The center will provide Ukrainian nationals with information on applying for protection in Canada and guidance on pre- and post-arrival services and support.  

On 14 Feb. 2022, the government of Canada moved Embassy operations to a temporary office in Lviv and temporarily suspended operations at the Embassy office in Kyiv. On 1 Feb. 2022, the government of Canada advised all Canadian citizens to avoid all travel to Ukraine. Canadian nationals currently in Ukraine are advised to leave the country while commercial means remain available and register with the Government's Registration of Canadians Abroad service. Limited Canadian diplomatic and consular staff remain in Ukraine to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens as requested. The government advised that services could become limited if the situation escalates.  

Chile 

On 25 Feb. 2022, the government of Chile announced that the Chilean Embassy in Poland and the Consulate in Warsaw would facilitate the evacuation of Chilean residents from Ukraine. The government also authorized the diplomatic missions to provide emergency passports to Chileans without travel documents. All Chilean citizens are advised to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. 

Cyprus  

On 28 Feb. 2022, the government of Cyprus waived the cost of PCR testing for Ukrainian citizens entering the country in an effort to facilitate easier travel.  

 On 12 Feb. 2022, the government of Cyprus advised Cypriot citizens to avoid traveling to Ukraine. Citizens of Cyprus who are permanent or temporary residents in Ukraine are encouraged to declare their presence in the country with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kiev and register their contact information with the embassy. All non-essential personnel are advised to leave the country at the earliest date possible.   

Czech Republic

The government of the Czech Republic announced that it will strengthen visa restrictions for Russian nationals and introduce additional support measures for Belarusian and Ukrainian nationals. According to the government announcement, entry will be denied for Russian nationals entering the Czech Republic for tourism, sport or cultural visits through external Schengen borders and international airports effective 25 October 2022.  

On 12 Feb. 2022, the government of the Czech Republic announced that its diplomatic mission in Kyiv will remain open to support its citizens and cooperate with local authorities. The Czech Embassy in Kyiv will operate with limited staff, but the Czech Embassy in Lviv will remain operating at full capacity. Some delays in visa processing are expected.  

Denmark 

The government of Denmark announced that the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) will close its phone lines on Fridays for several weeks in order to prioritize the processing of immigration requests submitted by individuals fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. For additional information on phone hours, click here.  

Estonia 

On 21 April 2022, the government of Estonia announced that their Embassy in St. Petersburg and Pskov will no longer be permitted to continue operations in Russia.  

On 17 March 2022, the government of Estonia announced that Ukrainian nationals and third-country nationals fleeing Ukraine will be exempt from presenting a COVID-19 vaccination certificate when entering Estonia.  

On 3 March 2022, the government of Estonia advised all Estonian nationals currently still in Ukraine to leave the country as soon as possible via land borders. All Estonian nationals in Ukraine are advised to register their travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

On 27 Feb. 2022, the government of Estonia advised Estonian citizens to avoid traveling to Russia and Belarus for non-essential purposes. Estonian citizens currently in Russia are advised to reconsider the need to remain in Russia and return to Estonia as soon as possible. Estonian citizens that remain in these two countries are advised to register their travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

Finland  

On 8 April 2022, the government of Finland clarified that individuals granted concessions under the Temporary Protection Directive will be permitted to begin work as soon as they have applied for temporary protection and received a certificate proving that their application has been registered with the government. 

France

Embassy in Russia: The French embassy in Moscow is currently operational. Consular support may be limited due to the ongoing security situation. On 4 March 2022, the government of France published a list of visa types that will continue to be processed for arrivals from Russia. 

Embassy in Ukraine: On 13 Feb. 2022, the government of France updated its travel guidance for French nationals in Ukraine. French nationals are advised to postpone all trips to Ukraine, including trips for essential purposes. The government advises French citizens currently in Ukraine to ensure their travel documents are up to date. The French government has not yet requested that citizens in Ukraine leave the country. The French Embassy in Ukraine will remain in operation with no limitations to staff.  

Germany

Embassy in Russia: The German embassy in Moscow continues to operate and all consular services are being offered by each German diplomatic mission in Russia. The government advised that visa processing payments by Russian and Belarusian credit cards are not currently being accepted. Instead, applicants must pay in rubles at the current exchange rate of the responsible diplomatic mission.  

Greece

On 10 May 2022, staff members of the Greek Embassy in Kyiv returned to the city in order to provide essential services. The embassy will operate under its normal working hours to aid Greek citizens and Ukrainian nationals.  

On 14 Feb. 2022, the government of Greece advised Greek citizens to avoid travel to any part of Ukraine and requested that all citizens currently residing in the country leave at the soonest possible date. Greek citizens remaining in the country are advised to register their contact information with the Greek Embassy in Kyiv. The Greek Embassy in Kyiv has reduced staff to essential personnel only. Greek citizens should be aware of possible delays in visa processing.  

Ireland

On 22 August 2022, the government of Ireland announced that its embassy in Kyiv will resume operations in-person. The embassy had been operating remotely since March 2022. The government will be able to begin processing visas and immigration documents in person for Ukrainian citizens and Irish citizens in the country.  

Israel  

On 15 Feb. 2022, the government of Israel announced that travelers arriving on emergency evacuation flights from Ukraine can temporarily enter the country without undergoing pre-flight COVID-19 testing. These exceptions will also apply for travelers who transfer flights. Upon arrival, travelers will instead be required to undergo PCR testing at Ben Gurion International airport.

Italy  

On 1 March 2022, the government of Italy announced that the Italian Embassy in Kyiv would be moved to Lviv. The government confirmed that the Embassy would function under regular operational status.  

Japan 

The government of Japan announced that it will provide aid to Ukrainian nationals holding residence permits in Japan in order to ensure they can remain in the country. Ukrainian nationals who hold written deportation orders will also not be forced to leave Japan. Ukrainian nationals should contact the nearest Regional Immigration Service Bureau in Japan in order to remain in the country.