The European Commission has published new FAQs clarifying how the verification criteria apply to people displaced from Ukraine who are seeking temporary protection in the European Union.
The new guidance focuses particularly on how applicants can demonstrate that they lawfully left Ukraine. In Member States bordering Ukraine, a lawful crossing at an authorized border crossing point should be sufficient, while in other Member States an exit stamp issued by the Ukrainian authorities may serve as evidence.
As a general rule, the exit stamp should be dated no earlier than 90 days before the temporary protection application, although exceptional circumstances may be taken into account.
Where there is no exit stamp or there are doubts about whether the person lawfully left Ukraine, the authorities may request alternative documentation. The options mentioned by the Commission include official documentation confirming exemption from military obligations, including documentation available through the Ukrainian Reserv+ application.
What about people who already have temporary protection?
People who were already benefiting from temporary protection before the new criteria entered into force retain their status and should not be required to provide new documentation demonstrating that they lawfully left Ukraine in compliance with their military obligations.
The FAQs also provide guidance on other situations, including extended returns to Ukraine and applications for temporary protection in a different Member State.
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