Entry Ban to Ukraine Due to Unpaid Fine: How We Helped a Client

In February 2025, our client, a citizen of Italy, encountered an unpleasant situation at the Ukrainian border while traveling from Moldova to Odesa. Border guards denied him entry due to an unpaid parking fine issued in Lviv back in early January.

Importantly, even though the client had a payment receipt, the border service’s database still showed the fine as unpaid. As a result, a stamp was placed in his passport banning entry into Ukraine. For the client, this meant being unable to enter the country, missing business meetings, and having to cancel personal plans in Odesa.

Thanks to the extensive experience of our immigration lawyer, we were able to quickly resolve the client’s issue. In this article, we’ll share practical steps to help settle such situations, as well as tips for foreign nationals on how to avoid similar risks when crossing the border.

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Step-by-Step Breakdown

• January 2025: During a visit to Lviv, the client parked improperly and received a parking fine.
• February 2025: Attempting to enter Ukraine from Moldova, the client presented a receipt confirming payment of the fine. However, the border service database still listed the fine as unpaid.
• Due to this technical discrepancy, border guards denied him entry into Ukraine.
• The client was issued an official decision denying entry at the state border, and his passport was stamped with a three-year ban on entering Ukraine.
• That same day, the client contacted our company for assistance.

How We Resolved the Client’s Case

We immediately reviewed the situation and identified the root cause: a delay in updating the data in the state registries. The payment receipt had not been forwarded to the enforcement service, which meant the fine was never officially recorded as paid, and the enforcement proceedings remained open.

As a result, based on the information that the fine was still outstanding, the State Migration Service issued a decision to ban the client from entering Ukraine for three years.

How Our Legal Team Handled the Case

1. Conducted an urgent review and submitted official inquiries to check whether the client had any other outstanding fines or obligations in Ukraine.
2. Upon receiving the full data, we discovered an additional traffic violation — a speeding offense in the Kyiv region.
3. Prepared accurate payment details for the outstanding fines. All payment confirmations were sent to the enforcement authorities to have the client removed from the debtors' registry.
4. Drafted and submitted a well-founded appeal to the State Migration Service, requesting the cancellation of the entry ban.

Result: The decision was successfully overturned, and the client regained the right to legally enter Ukraine.

Takeaways and Tips for Foreign Nationals Planning a Trip to Ukraine

Situations like this happen more often than one might think. Foreign visitors are frequently unaware that they have outstanding fines or debts in Ukraine. Even if a fine has been paid, delays in updating government databases can span days or even months.

In our client’s case, the situation was further complicated by recent changes in Ukrainian legislation that have tightened oversight of foreign nationals’ compliance with local laws, particularly when it comes to the timely payment of administrative fines.

For many foreigners, these rules can be difficult to navigate due to complex procedures, a lack of information in foreign languages, and inconsistencies in how quickly different government agencies update their records.

How to avoid border issues when entering Ukraine:

• Check the status of any fines using official online services a few days before your trip.
• Keep all payment confirmations and receipts for any fines paid.
• Search for your name in the public State Register of Debtors to ensure you're not listed.
• To find out if any entry restrictions have been placed on you, submit a request to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
• If you have fines, debts, unresolved obligations, or any other risks that could lead to a refusal of entry or an entry ban, act through a lawyer to resolve the issue quickly and properly.

You might also like: What to Do If You’ve Been Banned from Entering Ukraine

Legal Assistance for Foreign Nationals: Border Crossing and Legalization in Ukraine

The law firm Pravova Dopomoga offers a full range of services in the field of immigration law, from protecting clients’ rights at the border to supporting the legalization process in Ukraine. For over 10 years, we’ve been helping clients obtain temporary or permanent residence permits, as well as Ukrainian citizenship. Our specialists have extensive experience in handling migration cases and successfully resolve even the most complex situations.

Planning a trip to Ukraine or facing difficulties at the border? Don’t wait and reach out to our team. We’ll quickly check your status in government registries, help you resolve any fines, debts, or entry bans, and prepare all the necessary documents for a legal stay in Ukraine.

With us, you can count on reliability, clear results, and confidence in every step.