Attention!
Starting from February 24, 2022, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law", martial law was introduced in Ukraine!
On February 28, 2022, the President of Ukraine issued Decree No. 82 "
On Temporary Introduction of Visa-Free Regime", according to which, starting from March 1, 2022, a
visa-free regime for entry into Ukraine for foreign nationals wishing to join the
International Defense Legion of Ukraine was temporarily introduced for the period of martial law until the President of Ukraine makes a relevant decision.
In addition, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 132 dated March 14, 2022 "
On Temporary Introduction of Visa-Free Regime", a visa-free regime for entry into Ukraine was introduced for the period of martial law until the President of Ukraine makes a relevant decision for foreign nationals who are
employees of international medical or humanitarian organizations, foundations or programs, other organizations that arrive in Ukraine at the invitation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance to the population, except for citizens of the state of Ukraine.
First of all, remember about your documents and visa. Crossing the border of Ukraine is carried out with a foreign passport. An ID card does not give the right to enter (except for citizens of Turkey and Georgia).
If you are a citizen of a country with which Ukraine does not have a visa-free regime, you will need to obtain a short-term visa (type C) to enter Ukraine. This visa is issued to foreigners whose stay does not exceed 90 days in the last 180 days. It can be issued for single, double, or multiple entries. A type C visa is most often issued for tourism, business travel, or private visits.
Where should I apply for a short-term C visa to enter Ukraine?
In order to apply for a visa to enter Ukraine, you must apply to an authorized body:
- a foreign diplomatic mission of Ukraine;
- Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
- representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.
You must apply to the authorized body for a visa no earlier than 3 months before the start of the planned trip.
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Electronic visa to Ukraine
Starting from 2019, citizens of some countries can obtain an
electronic visa for travel to Ukraine, which is valid for 30 days and is designed for one entry only. If you are a citizen of a country
from the list, you can obtain an E-visa through the online application system.
Fill out the application form and upload the necessary documents. You will also need to pay a consular fee.
The visa application is processed within 9 business days. After reviewing the documents, you will receive an e-Visa with a QR code or a decision to refuse to issue an e-Visa (sent in pdf format) by e-mail.
A foreigner can enter Ukraine on the basis of an e-Visa at international border crossing points. The foreigner must present the printed e-Visa together with his/her passport when crossing the state border of Ukraine.
Important! The printed e-Visa must be kept during the entire period of stay in Ukraine. When leaving the territory of Ukraine, a foreigner is obliged to present the printed e-Visa together with his/her passport again.
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Documents required to obtain a visa to Ukraine
To obtain a visa to Ukraine, a foreigner must submit the following documents to the Ukrainian consulate:
1) Passport valid for at least 3 months after the planned trip to Ukraine;
2) Visa application form;
3) Health insurance with coverage of at least EUR 30,000, valid on the territory of Ukraine;
4) Evidence of financial support for the planned trip to Ukraine, such as bank statements or ATM receipts;
5) One 35 x 45 mm photo;
6) A document confirming payment of the visa fee;
7) A document confirming the purpose of the trip to Ukraine.
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The purpose of entry
The easiest and most effective way to justify the purpose of the visit is a notarized invitation from Ukrainian citizens - relatives, acquaintances, friends, etc.
In the absence of an invitation, the purpose of the visit may be justified by
- hotel reservations, apartment lease agreements
- travel vouchers;
- invitations/tickets to seminars, exhibitions, fairs;
- documents on treatment in medical institutions;
- written confirmation of a meeting, conference, etc;
- invitations from companies and organizations;
- a visa or tickets to a third country (to justify the purpose of the trip "transit to a third country").
When obtaining visas at the consulates of third countries (e.g., the United States) in Ukraine, the purpose of the visit must be confirmed by an appropriate document (e.g., a completed application form, an appointment with the Consulate).
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Visa fee
The cost of a visa varies depending on:
1) Citizenship;
2) Age of the applicant.
1) Citizenship: the standard fee for processing a visa application in the normal mode is USD 65. The fee is doubled for processing an application in an urgent mode (130 USD). Visa fees for certain types of visas for applicants from certain countries may differ from the standard visa fee listed above based on the principle of reciprocity (if the visa fee for entry to such countries is high for Ukrainians, the Ukrainian government sets the same price for entry visas to Ukraine for citizens of such country).
2) By age: visas for minors are issued free of charge.
A foreigner can apply for a visa regardless of the previous period of stay in Ukraine: even in case of overstay, a visa can be issued. Please note that if a fine is imposed for violating the law, it must be paid before submitting a visa application.
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What additional documents do citizens traveling under the visa-free regime need to have to enter Ukraine?
Foreigners and stateless persons crossing the border under the visa-free regime enter Ukraine provided that
- they have a valid passport document;
- no decision of an authorized state body of Ukraine prohibiting entry into Ukraine is issued against them;
- availability of health insurance;
- confirmation of the purpose of the planned stay;
- having sufficient financial security for the period of the planned stay and for returning to the state of origin or transit to a third state.
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How much money do I need to have when entering Ukraine?
Entry and stay of foreigners on the territory of Ukraine is carried out if they have sufficient funds or the ability to legally obtain these funds (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 884 of 04.12.2013). Financial security checks are carried out by authorized officials of the State Border Guard Service on a selective basis, i.e. there is always a possibility that you will not have to prove your solvency.
The calculation of the amount of money necessary for living in Ukraine is carried out according to the formula: FO = ((20 × Pm) ÷ 30) × (Kd + 5), where
FO - sufficient financial security
Pm - subsistence minimum per person per month
Days - number of days spent in Ukraine
According to the methodology for calculating the minimum amount that a foreigner must have to visit Ukraine, the subsistence minimum established on the day of entry into the country is taken for calculation. Starting from December 1, 2021, the subsistence level for 1 person per month is UAH 2393.
Holders of a residence permit in Ukraine, minor children, diplomats, refugees, and cruise tourists are exempt from financial verification. Other categories of citizens need only present the following documents to confirm that they have sufficient financial security
- cash in hryvnia or other convertible foreign currency;
- bank cards, ATM statements and receipts;
- a letter of guarantee from the host party undertaking to pay all expenses incurred by the foreigner in connection with his/her stay in Ukraine and travel abroad;
- confirmation of booking or payment for accommodation and meals;
- a contract for travel services (voucher, voucher);
- a travel ticket for returning to the country of permanent residence or to a third country with a fixed date.