Case: How we confirmed the legal entry of a foreigner into Ukraine with an "invisible" stamp of the State Security Service

Client: A U.S. citizen (investor) who entered Ukraine via a land border crossing from Poland to conclude a business deal.

Problem: During passport control, a State Border Guard Service officer stamped the client’s passport. Due to a lack of ink, the stamp was completely smudged—neither the date nor the name of the checkpoint was visible.

Consequence: When attempting to obtain a taxpayer identification number, open an account at a Ukrainian bank, and have documents notarized, the client was denied. Financial monitoring and tax authorities were unable to verify the legality and exact date of his stay in Ukraine.

What We Did (Step-by-Step Solution)

1. Legal Analysis and Data Verification

We reassured the client and recorded the exact time and border crossing point where they crossed the border. The main task was to prove that the information about the border crossing was integrated into the State Border Guard Service’s information system, even if there was no physical stamp.

2. Submission of an official request to the State Border Guard Service

Since the client is a foreign national, the procedure for submitting a request has its own nuances. The lawyers at our firm, ENWOLT, promptly prepared and submitted a legal request to the Main Center for Processing Special Information of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine seeking confirmation of the border crossing. A copy of the first page of the passport and a copy of the page with the poor-quality stamp were attached to the request.

3. Receiving the extract

Thanks to our attorney status, we received a response in 5 business days instead of a month. The State Border Guard Service provided an official certificate (extract) from the system confirming:

• The foreign national’s last name, first name, and citizenship.
• The exact date and time of crossing the Ukrainian border.
• The name of the border crossing point.

Result

1. The client received an official paper extract bearing the wet seal of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
2. The tax office, the bank, and the notary accepted this document without issue as a full substitute for the stamp in the passport.
3. The business agreement was signed on time, and the client avoided charges of illegal stay in the country.

FAQ for Foreigners

• What should a foreigner do if the entry stamp into Ukraine is not visible? Do not attempt to draw it yourself with a pen. Contact a lawyer to obtain an official extract from the State Border Guard Service database.
• Is entry considered illegal if the border guard stamped the passport poorly? No, if the data has been entered into the “Gart” electronic system. However, you will need a paper confirmation for Ukrainian government agencies.
• What documents does a foreigner need to obtain a certificate from the State Border Guard Service? You only need a clear copy of the first page of your foreign passport and a signed agreement with a lawyer.