U.S. State Department suspends consular services in Ukraine

The U.S. State Department has suspended consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and provided additional guidance to U.S. citizens in Ukraine.

Key Points:

• On Feb. 13, the State Department suspended consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The Embassy is maintaining a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine to handle emergencies but will not provide passport, visa or routine services. U.S. citizens should seek these services at U.S. embassies in surrounding countries.
• U.S. citizens continue to be advised to leave Ukraine immediately through commercial or private means. As of Feb. 12, U.S. citizens can cross the Polish-Ukrainian land border with no advanced approval. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should be aware that the U.S. government will not be able to evacuate U.S. citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine.
• The State Department continues to ask U.S. citizens in Ukraine to complete an online form to make it easier for U.S. officials to communicate with them directly. More information regarding border crossings for departing Ukraine is available here.

Background: On Jan. 23, the State Department authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees and ordered the departure of family members from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. On Feb. 12, the State Department amended its previous authorization of voluntary departure and ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees.

BAL Analysis: The situation in Ukraine may change with little or no notice and companies with employees in the country are encouraged to follow State Department information and warnings closely.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.