Ukrainians can apply for the extension of temporary protection in the self-service portal

Ukrainian citizens to whom Estonia has granted temporary protection may apply for the extension thereof in the self-service portal of the Police and Border Guard Board, asylum.politsei.ee, three months before the expiry of the residence permit. Superintendent Marina Põldma of the Identity and Status Bureau explains that temporary protection is a residence permit which is valid for one year and gives to Ukrainian citizens and their family members similar rights as the ones enjoyed by Estonian residents.

“Since the war in Ukraine is ongoing, the people who have been granted temporary protection can have their residence permit extended. An application for the extension must be submitted in the self-service portal of the Police and Border Guard Board, asylum.politsei.ee, no earlier than three months and no later than one month before the expiry of the residence permit. It is not possible to submit the application more than three months before the expiry of the residence permit,” explains Põldma.

Personal identification code and residence permit details will need to be submitted when applying for the extension. Upon submission of the application, it is also obligatory to indicate the registered place of residence in Estonia. In the case of some applications the officer conducting the proceedings may ask for additional data or ask the applicant to appear at the service office of the Police and Border Guard Board. In that case the applicant will be contacted individually.

“The extension of the residence permit for temporary protection is free of charge for Ukrainian citizens. The application must indicate from which service office of the Police and Border Guard Board the new residence permit card will be collected. If the applicant wishes to change the service office from where the document will be collected, a fee must be paid,” says Põldma.

As of 4 December, 40 814 people have applied for temporary protection. Starting from 10 December, during the first month, 17 142 people will have the possibility to apply for the extension of the residence permit for temporary protection.