New Border Crossing Rules for Men in Odesa Region

As of November 1, 2025, simplified crossing rules will apply for Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 residing in border districts of Odesa region, specifically in Odesa, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Izmail, and Bolhrad. According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, these changes took effect following a decision by the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding internally displaced persons (IDPs) on September 26, 2025.
The main goal of these new regulations is to facilitate and expedite the movement of men across the transit section of the road through Moldova. The process of obtaining a permit has become quicker and more convenient, and the validity period has been extended to twice as long.

Key changes include:

• The application review period has been shortened to three days;
• Permits will now be valid for up to one year (previously only six months).

Additionally, in the event of disputes, decisions will be made on-site, and for individuals classified as high-risk, special border patrol escorts will be provided.

It is noteworthy that the Odesa-Reni road, particularly its transit section through Moldova, currently serves as the only route to the southern parts of the region. An alternative route previously ran over a bridge across the Dniester Liman, which was damaged due to missile strikes by Russian aggressors. Men face particular challenges when crossing in the Palanka area, as border guards require a special pass, which necessitates submitting an application to the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi border detachment in advance.