News and guides · 339 articles
What changed in passport, visa and residence photo rules — every update dated and sourced.
AzerbaijanFor an Azerbaijan e-Visa (official portal evisa.gov.az, ASAN Visa system), upload a digital photo of 30×40 mm (3×4 cm) with a resolution of at least 354×472 px, a quality over 300 dpi, in JPEG or PNG format, on a white non-reflective background, without glasses and no older than 6 months.
SerbiaFor a visa and for temporary residence and the single permit for residence and work in Serbia, you need a color photo of 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm), full face (en face).
CanadaCanada has TWO different sizes: the visa photo (TRV, work/study permit) is a frame of at least 35×45 mm, while the photo for a passport and PR card is larger, 50×70 mm.
JapanFor a Japanese visa the photo is 45×45 mm (square); some consulates accept 2×2 inches; for a Japanese passport it is 35×45 mm with a head height of 34±2 mm.
South KoreaA paper photo for a Korean visa and passport is 35×45 mm, head 32–36 mm from chin to crown, pure white background, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months.
EgyptFor the Egypt electronic visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg) you need a colour photo on a white background sized 40x60 mm in JPEG format, taken within the last 6 months.
PolandFor a Polish visa (Schengen C and national D) and a residence card you need a colour biometric photo measuring 35×45 mm against a light background, with a neutral facial expression, without glasses, taken no earlier than 6 months before submission.
GermanyFor a national visa D, a Blue Card and a residence permit in Germany you need a biometric photo measuring 35×45 mm with a light background, a neutral expression and no glasses; the head (from chin to crown) is 32–36 mm, the face takes up 70–80% of the frame height, and the photo must be taken no more than 6 months ago.
Czech RepublicA photo for a Czech national visa D and a residence permit is colour or black-and-white, measuring 35×45 mm, against a light background (white, light grey or light blue), with a neutral expression and closed lips.
A Schengen visa requires a colour biometric photo of 35×45 mm: the head fills 70–80% of the frame, an even light grey or off-white background, a neutral facial expression, no glasses, taken no more than 6 months ago.
USAA US DV Lottery photo must be a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square, in JPEG format at 600×600–1200×1200 pixels and up to 240 KB, on a white or off-white background, with a neutral facial expression, no glasses, and taken within the last 6 months.
TurkeyUkrainians may stay in Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period and must legalise their stay strictly before those 90 days expire; for a property-based residence permit the threshold is from USD 200,000, while a tourist ikamet requires proof of monthly income of around 42,000 TL.
SwedenThe Council of the EU extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2027 (the formal decision was adopted on 15 July 2025). In Sweden, from 11 June 2026, holders of a permit under the massflyktsdirektivet can apply for another type of permit (work, study, EU Blue Card, family) without leaving the country. At the same time, those who received a permit on or after 5 September 2025 are usually no longer entered into the population register (folkbokföring).
United KingdomAs of 2026, the Homes for Ukraine sponsor 'thank you' payment is a fixed £350 per month (the higher £500 tier was abolished from 1 April 2025). The payment is not made if the sponsor is a close relative or charges rent; it is tax-free and does not affect benefits. Under the UPE scheme payments continue for up to 18 months; when the permission changes, the sponsor reapplies to the council. The minimum hosting period is 6 months. When the placement ends, the guest finds a new sponsor through the council, which carries out DBS and accommodation checks before the move.
PolandGermanyCzech Republic+1A comparison of child and family benefits for Ukrainians under temporary protection in the main EU countries as of 2026: amounts, conditions for receipt, exceptions and where to apply in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy. The data has been cross-checked with official sources (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, ZUS, MPSV/charita.cz, INPS).
GermanyIn February 2026, BAMF suspended voluntary admissions to integration courses under §44 para. 4 AufenthG for everyone not obliged to attend, including Ukrainians. From 1 June 2026, access for Ukrainians with a permit under §24 AufenthG and EU citizens has been restored, but through a contingent system (a limited number of places) tied to the budget. The course consists of 600 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation; the fee is €2.29/hour, but Bürgergeld recipients and low-income earners are fully exempt. Passing the B1 exam and the «Leben in Deutschland» test within 2 years entitles you to a 50% refund of the fee.
PolandCzech RepublicGermany+1A practical guide for parents with temporary protection: where and when to submit documents, what to prepare and what language support is available in the main host countries in 2026.
GermanyIn spring 2026, Germany updated the rules for assessing Ukrainian educational documents: the KMK adopted a new procedure for access to universities for persons under temporary protection (§24), and in North Rhine-Westphalia, school certificates from Ukraine have again been assessed individually since 18 May 2026. At the same time, the recognition of Ukrainians' professional qualifications is breaking records.
UkraineUkrainian citizens abroad can obtain an RNOKPP (tax ID) in several ways: remotely via "e-Konsul" (so far only for children under 18, launched 14.05.2026), via a taxpayer e-Card in "Diia" (from 14.05.2026, from age 14, signed with Diia.Signature), in person or by post via the consulate, or online via the STS Electronic Cabinet (a QES/BankID is required). Form 1DR is for first registration; processing takes 3 working days; the STS document is issued free of charge. Foreign documents require an apostille and a certified translation into Ukrainian.
NorwayNorway has extended the temporary collective protection scheme for Ukrainians by another year, but at the same time tightened the criteria: men aged 18–60 who apply on 5 May 2026 or later no longer automatically receive collective protection.
PolandFrom 4 May 2026 Ukrainians with active PESEL UKR status can voluntarily move from temporary protection to a CUKR residence card — a residence permit valid for 3 years. Applications are filed only electronically through the MOS portal until 4 March 2027. Time held under the CUKR card counts toward the 5 years required for an EU long-term resident permit.
FranceThe Council of the EU extended temporary protection (protection temporaire) for displaced persons from Ukraine by another year — through 4 March 2027 inclusive. In France protection is confirmed by a temporary residence permit, the APS, which is issued for 6 months and renewed online. From 1 May 2026 the APS for beneficiaries of temporary protection is subject to a €100 tax — but only starting from the second renewal (the first two issuances are free of charge).
SpainDisposición adicional decimonovena of the Aliens Regulation (as amended by RD 316/2026, in force from 16 April 2026) allows persons with temporary protection from Ukraine to apply for arraigo and other permits without leaving Spain. The switch is not automatic: you must meet the requirements of the specific modality. This guide breaks down the three types of arraigo (social, sociolaboral, socioformativo): each requires 2 years of continuous residence in Spain, no criminal record, form EX-10, the fee under model 790 code 052, a decision within 3 months, and a 1-year permit with the right to work.
From 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational at all Schengen external borders, and the ETIAS authorisation is expected in late 2026 — both systems concern Ukrainians travelling visa-free on a biometric passport.
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