The Government Unblocks the Legalization Process for Foreign Journalists in Ukraine

For over a year, foreign journalists covering events in Ukraine have been in a difficult situation, unable to legalize their stay in the country. The reason was a legal conflict that arose after the reorganization of central executive authorities.

What was the problem?

According to the provisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 322 of April 25, 2018, the submission for a temporary residence permit for foreign journalists was to be issued by the Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine (Minreintegration).

However, last December, Minreintegration was liquidated. The Ministry of National Unity (Minnatsyednosti) was created on its basis. Yet, during the transfer of powers, the function of issuing submissions for foreign journalists’ residence permits was not transferred to the newly established ministry.

Thus, for almost a year, there was no authorized body in Ukraine to issue the necessary submissions, which effectively blocked the legalization process for foreign media workers.

A Solution is Found: A New Resolution

On November 19, 2025, the Government adopted a resolution that is expected to settle this issue. The authority to issue submissions for the temporary residence permit for foreign journalists has now been transferred to the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine (Derzhkomteleradio).

This change opens the way for foreign correspondents to obtain residence permits and solves a problem that significantly complicated their professional activities in Ukraine over the past year.