To travel to the EU without visas, children must have a biometric passport

With the introduction of visa-free regime, citizens of Ukraine have the opportunity to freely travel to a number of European countries. Ukrainian citizens can now plan their trips more easily and spontaneously. Trips can be made just for a weekend, or at various exhibitions, festivals, football matches, or to visit friends and relatives.

One thing to remember is that in order to travel to Europe without a visa, a citizen of Ukraine must have a biometric passport. The same rule applies to children. A passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad for children under 16 years old is issued for a period of 4 years. Passports for children aged 16 years or older are issued with a full validity period – 10 years. Ukrainians with ordinary, not biometric passports still need to obtain visas.

Making a travel document for a child, note that children under 12 years old shall not submit their fingerprints, yet such passport still has a biometric status and allows visa-free entry to the EU. For children aged 12 years or older, this procedure is mandatory, and children aged 14 years or older must provide their signatures when obtaining passport. Other features and the list of documents required for issuance of a biometric passport for a child can be found at the site of the State Migration Service.

Also remember that biometric passport, proof of the purpose and conditions of stay, and financial provision are required by default.

Other details and rules of border crossing by children can be found on the site of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.