According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about 875,000 people left Ukraine during the days of the war. Most Ukrainians left for Poland (454 thousand people), Hungary (116 thousand), Slovakia (67 thousand), Romania (45 thousand), Moldova (79 thousand people). The situation in Ukraine is characterized as potentially the biggest migration crisis in Europe in the last century.

According to the general rule, citizens of Ukraine are allowed to stay on the territory of the EU countries for up to 90 days within 180 days without the need to obtain a visa to cross the border. But now the question arose of staying in these countries from the 91st day. Taking into account the situation in Ukraine, on March 3, 2022, the European Commission plans to enact the Temporary Protection Directive. The mechanism of temporary protection is more effective in a situation of mass arrival of refugees than the consideration of each case individually to resolve the issue of granting refugee status.

Both citizens of Ukraine and foreigners and stateless persons who were legally in Ukraine and could not return to their countries of origin are subject to temporary protection (in particular, persons who were granted refugee status in Ukraine). Foreigners and stateless persons who were legally on the territory of Ukraine before the outbreak of the war and who have the opportunity to return to their countries of origin without hindrance will not enjoy temporary protection in the EU, but will have the right to transit through its territory for safe arrival in their countries of origin.

If a relevant decision is made by the competent EU authority, temporary protection will be provided first for a year, and if it is impossible to return to Ukraine, it can be extended. The total term of protection does not exceed three years.

During the period of granting temporary protection, persons will be issued a temporary residence certificate in order to confirm the legality of their stay in the territory of the EU country.

The introduction of temporary protection imposes on countries the obligation to provide individuals with access to employment, housing, medical care. Children should have unhindered access to education. A system for exchanging information on the number of arrivals and the possibilities of a particular country to receive them will also be activated between countries.. Responsibility for accepting refugees will be distributed proportionally between countries.

Simplified border control is introduced subject to the activation of temporary protection. You can cross the border if you have not only a passport, but also any other identity document. Additional checks at the border may be applied to persons whose identity could not be established (in particular through the collection of biometric data). The import of personal belongings is allowed without paying any additional customs duties.. Simplifies the importation of pets. Border crossing restrictions introduced in connection with the spread of coronavirus infection are also lifted..

However, the granting of temporary protection must be distinguished from the granting of refugee status..

A person who automatically receives temporary protection may apply for refugee status to the competent authorities of the relevant state. Within three days, such a person receives an identity card, which confirms the application for refugee status and gives the right to stay in the territory of the state where the application is submitted, during the validity period of the application. In the event that a person is denied refugee status, he continues to enjoy temporary protection, if any..

The criteria for refugee status are the existence of a well-founded fear of persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, as well as the inability or unwillingness to avail themselves of the protection of the country of origin. A person receives refugee status in the country in which he arrived for the first time (the “safe third country” rule), except in cases of transit through the territory of such a country and the need to reunite with a family located in another country.

Now in the countries hosting people from Ukraine, special accommodation centers have been set up for living, humanitarian aid is being provided.. Each country has already introduced its own migration conditions for refugees..

For example, in the Czech Republic, a person must register with one of the refugee centers or with the local police within three days. Registration immediately grants the right to receive medical care. In the future, for three months, a person has the right to apply for a visa valid for 12 months and a work permit in the Czech Republic.

Hungary has already introduced temporary protection for persons arriving from Ukraine. Such protection is granted until June 1, 2022, as determined by the competent authorities of Hungary. The provision of protection includes the provision of housing, food and medical care. Employment conditions have not been simplified: a work permit must be obtained.

A permit is not required in case of work in refugee accommodation and remote work in companies registered outside Hungary.

Some countries have already canceled or are planning to cancel visas for Ukrainian refugees. Thus, visas for Ukrainians in Ireland have been abolished, a project to abolish visas for Ukrainians in Canada should be voted in the Canadian Parliament in the near future.

The whole world directs its efforts to help refugees from Ukraine and ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person.