February 14, 2022
The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable due to the increased threats of Russian military action. Conditions can deteriorate with little notice. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should depart immediately using commercial or other privately available transportation options.
In most cases, U.S. citizens departing Ukraine must present a valid U.S. passport and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Travelers are also encouraged to present a negative test result from a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken as recently as possible, which will facilitate international border crossing. U.S. citizens should be prepared to comply with country-specific entry requirements, which may differ from the entry requirements for travelers arriving by plane.
We encourage those traveling by land from Ukraine to cross at the border crossings listed below, if you need assistance from a U.S. consular officer:
Poland: Poland has indicated to the U.S. government that U.S. citizens may now enter Poland through the land border with Ukraine. No advanced approval is required. We encourage those traveling into Poland by land from Ukraine to cross at the Korczowa-Krakovets or Medyka-Shehyni border crossings. The U.S. embassy has consular officers stationed near these crossings to provide assistance. Please call +48 22 504 2784 or +48 22 504 2000 (Embassy Warsaw), or +48 12 424 5100 (Consulate General Krakow), or email ACSWarsaw@state.gov or KrakowACS@state.gov for further information. You may contact the Polish Border Guard by email at zdsc.kg@strazgraniczna.pl or by phone at +48 22 500 4068, +48 22 500 4568, or +48 22 500 5468. The Polish Border Guard’s website also provides relevant information (in Polish). The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Poland’s website describes entry and exit requirements (located under the header “Entry and Exit Requirements”).
Romania: We encourage those traveling into Romania by land from Ukraine to cross at the Siret border crossing. The U.S. embassy will soon have consular officers stationed near this crossing to provide assistance. Please call +40-41-270-6000 or email ACSBucharest@state.gov for further information. Vaccinated and unvaccinated U.S. citizens may enter Romania by land. The Romanian Border Police’s website also provides relevant information. The U.S. Embassy in Romania’s website describes entry and exit requirements (located under the header “Entry and Exit Requirements”).
Hungary: We encourage those traveling into Hungary by land from Ukraine to cross at the Záhony border crossing. The U.S. embassy will have staff stationed near this crossing to provide assistance. Please contact +36-1-475-4400 by phone or ACS.Budapest@state.gov by email for further information. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Hungary, but should be prepared to show proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test, or proof of recovery from COVID-19. Please contact +36-1-475-4400 by phone or ACS.Budapest@state.gov by email for further information. Hungarian Police’s website provides relevant information. The U.S. Embassy in Hungary’s website describes entry and exit requirements (located under the header “Entry and Exit Requirement”).
Slovakia: A list of open border crossings is available on the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava’s website. The U.S. embassy can provide consular assistance to U.S. citizens who cross into Slovakia from Ukraine. Please call +421-2-5443-0861 or +421-903-703-666 by phone or email consulbratislava@state.gov for further information. All borders in Slovakia are open to vaccinated travelers, and unvaccinated travelers will be allowed entry in a humanitarian emergency, but may need to undergo testing and quarantine. The U.S. Embassy in Slovakia’s website describes entry and exit requirements (located under the header “Entry and Exit Requirements”) in more detail.
Moldova: U.S. citizens traveling into Moldova by land from Ukraine should avoid the Transnistria region and cross into Moldova either to the north or south of the region. The main Moldova-Ukraine border crossing south of Transnistria is Palanca – Mayaki Udobnoe. The main border crossing north of Transnistria is Otaci – Mohyliv-Podilskyi. U.S. Embassy personnel will be stationed near border crossings to provide assistance. Please contact +373-2240-8300 by phone or ChisinauACS@state.gov by email for further information. Travelers should not enter Moldova through the breakaway region of Transnistria, where the U.S. Embassy has limited access and cannot provide the full range of assistance to U.S. citizens. Travelers should note the Chisinau-Odesa train goes through Transnistria as well. More information on Transnistria can be found here.
U.S. citizens can enter Moldova, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, though travel restrictions in-country will vary depending on vaccination status. The Moldovan Border Police’s website provides relevant information (in Romanian). The U.S. Embassy in Moldova’s COVID-19 website describes entry and exit requirements in full under the header “Entry and Exit Requirements.”
The European Union: The European Union maintains a website with all travel restrictions for member states.
U.S. citizens who decide to remain in Ukraine and do not depart immediately, as advised, should complete this online form, so we may better communicate with you. 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.
Additional Actions to Take:
- Visit the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv’s webpage to view the most recent safety and security alerts for U.S. citizens.
- Regularly monitor local and international news and social media news channels.
- Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
- Review your personal security plans and always have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel.
- Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency.
- Regularly monitor the State Department’s website for current Travel Advisories. Read the Country Specific Information for Ukraine. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
- Please see information on What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis.
For Assistance:
- State Department – Consular Affairs
+1-888-741-2777 or +1-606-260-4379 - Ukraine Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
