Rules of entry to Ukraine for foreigners: everything you need to know
When planning a trip to Ukraine, foreigners face a lot of issues related to entry and stay in the country. Find out everything about the specifics of a trip to Ukraine, from preparing documents to renting an apartment
Ukraine continues to welcome foreign visitors and tourists even during the war. In the first half of 2023 alone, more than 1.3 million foreigners visited Ukraine. Therefore, to make it easier for foreigners to plan a trip to Ukraine, we have collected all the useful links that will help them prepare for their trip quickly and easily and feel calm and confident in the country.
Read more about planning, entering and staying in Ukraine below.
Planning a trip to Ukraine
Before you start planning your trip, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the most common mistakes made by tourists. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary expenses, both your own finances and nerves.
If you are planning to come to Ukraine for tourist purposes, it is important to choose the cities and locations you want to visit in advance. On the Visit Ukraine website, you can choose from more than 200 tours of Ukraine, or write to the hotline and create an individual itinerary with transfers, accommodation, and meals together with our manager. It should be noted that our team has already helped more than 1000 foreign tourists organize a trip to Ukraine during the war.
In addition, it is important not only to think about the route and transfer, but also to pack your suitcase properly. The airspace over Ukraine remains closed to civilian aircraft, which means that the trip may take longer than expected. Therefore, we recommend reading what foreigners should take with them when traveling to Ukraine.
When planning a trip, it is also important to book accommodation in advance. Foreigners can rent an apartment or book a hotel room. When choosing accommodation for your stay in Ukraine, we recommend that you pay attention to the location of the nearest shelters.
Required documents and rules of entry to Ukraine for foreigners
To enter Ukraine, a foreigner must have a foreign passport, proof of the purpose of the trip and financial security, an insurance policy and a visa (unless a visa-free regime is provided).
Currently, Ukraine has a visa-free regime with the EU, the USA, Canada and some other countries. You can check whether you need a visa to enter Ukraine on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
However, in some cases, even citizens of visa-free countries need to apply for a visa to enter Ukraine. Read more about visa rules and types of visas to Ukraine here. It is worth noting that citizens of 52 countries can apply for an e-Visa, a type of short-term visa that is issued under a simplified procedure.
To enter Ukraine, foreigners must also take out health insurance. We recommend choosing insurance that covers not only basic medical services, but also war-related risks. You can buy an insurance policy covering military risks here. Read more about the benefits of this type of insurance here.
If a foreigner plans to stay in Ukraine for a longer period than provided for by a visa or visa-free regime, he or she must obtain a residence permit upon arrival in Ukraine. It should be noted that the document can be used electronically through the Diia application.
If you need assistance with collecting documents for entry into Ukraine, advice on crossing the Ukrainian border, or assistance with legal issues in Ukraine, order a consultation with a qualified migration lawyer.
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How to get to Ukraine?
Due to the fact that Ukraine is currently not accessible by air, the logistics of getting there are somewhat complicated. The most convenient way to get to Ukraine is to fly to one of the airports located near the border with Ukraine and then continue your journey by land. Foreigners can also cross the Ukrainian border in their own cars and drive them without registration for up to one year.
On our website, you can find the most convenient routes to Ukraine from many countries. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to get to Ukraine, choose the country you need and follow the link:
USA ● Canada ● Poland ● Germany ● Slovakia ● Hungary ● Italy ● France ● Netherlands ● Czech Republic ● Lithuania ● Switzerland ● Sweden ● Turkey ● Austria ● Denmark ● Portugal ● Georgia ● Bulgaria ● India ● Greece ● Croatia ● Estonia ● Finland ● Latvia ● Belgium ● Slovenia ● Moldova ● Ireland ● Norway ● Spain ● russia
You can view the schedule and buy train/bus/plane tickets to Ukraine and between cities around the world through the convenient Visit Ukraine booking service. Note that the website has a bonus points system that allows you to travel much cheaper. Read more here.
Please note that there may be queues at the borders, so we recommend checking the workload at the checkpoints in advance. It is also worth considering that customs regulations apply when entering Ukraine.
Upon arrival in Ukraine, a foreigner must familiarize himself with the duration of the curfew in the region and install the Air Alert app on his smartphone. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play.
You can get around Ukraine by public transport or taxi. Foreigners can also rent a car.
For more information on travel, accommodation and food prices in Ukraine, please follow the link.
Despite the difficult times, Ukraine is open to those who want to see its beauty, steadfastness, and courage with their own eyes. And the Visit Ukraine team will be happy and proud to be your reliable guide on an unforgettable journey through Ukraine. If you have any questions about traveling to Ukraine, please contact our managers.
The hotline is open daily from 08:00 to 02:00 (Kyiv time), in a messenger convenient for you:
- Telegram
Thank you for choosing us. Sincerely, Visit Ukraine!
You may be interested in:
Visit Ukraine Donation - make a good deed and an important contribution to the Victory of Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Legal advice - comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Tours - the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;
Visit Ukraine Merch - choose patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery;
Visit Ukraine News - get the latest news and updates in our Telegram channel;
Cooperation - cooperation and advertising integrations with Visit Ukraine and Visit World projects.
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The simultaneous stay of visitors in the hotel lobby not more than one person per 10 square meters of serviceable area is allowed.
Persons can visit hotels and stay there (outside hotel room) only if they wear respirator or face mask (including homemade mask), so that the nose and mouth are covered.
Hotel guests are obliged to keep the 1.5 meters distance.
Online check-in making in advance is recommended to avoid queues at check-in to hotel.
Meals in hotels are provided through meals delivery service to rooms upon prior order or at hotel restaurants situated inside or in open areas, provided the distance of at least 1.5 meters between seats at adjacent tables.
Not more than 4 clients are allowed to stay at the table (excluding children under 14 years old). Unless these tables are separated by a special partition;
Self-serve is not allowed.