Ukraine has not restricted foreigners from visiting its territory during martial law. However, the scrutiny of foreigners' documents at the border requires foreign citizens to be aware of the legal nuances and security issues. Find out how a foreigner can properly and safely plan their visit to Ukraine

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Visa requirements in Ukraine depend on the foreigner's nationality: Ukraine has a visa-free regime with some countries, while citizens of other countries need to obtain a visa before traveling. Here's what foreigners need to do before coming to Ukraine.

Visa-free regime for foreigners

The visa-free regime that Ukraine has with 148 countries allows foreigners from these countries to visit Ukraine without a visa. These countries include the EU, Japan, Kuwait, the United States, Uruguay, and others. Citizens of visa-free countries have the right to stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can check whether a country is on the visa-free list on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Entering Ukraine on the basis of a visa

If you are not a citizen of a country with a visa-free regime, you need to apply for one of the following types of visa to enter Ukraine.

Types of Ukrainian visas:

- Short-stay visa (type C) - 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 or private visits, medical treatment, and media entry. A type C visa can be of two subtypes - C 01 (business visa) and C 02 (private visa).

- Long-term visa (type D) - issued to foreigners who wish to enter Ukraine for a temporary but long-term stay or for permanent residence. A type D visa entitles foreigners and stateless persons to stay or reside in Ukraine for a period exceeding 90 days.

- Work visa is the most common type of long-term visa to Ukraine, as well as study and family visas. A long-term visa is issued for a period of up to 90 days, with the possibility of multiple entries. However, in order to obtain a permit to stay in Ukraine for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a residence permit upon arrival.

-Transit visa - this type of visa is issued to foreigners who intend to transit through the territory of Ukraine while traveling to a third country. A transit visa to Ukraine can be issued as a single entry visa for a period of up to five days, as a double or multiple entry visa for a period of up to a year, provided that each entry does not exceed 5 days.

Read the current rules for entering Ukraine for foreigners here.

How to apply for a visa to Ukraine

Documents for obtaining a visa to enter Ukraine can be submitted at the Embassy, Consulate of Ukraine and visa centers that are authorized to accept documents for Ukrainian visas. Most often, this is VFS Global.

A foreigner can apply for a visa in the country of his or her actual location, except for citizens of certain states, who, pursuant to Order No. 469/897/605 of 30.10.2017, have the right to apply for a visa exclusively in the country of their citizenship or permanent residence.

Documents for applying for a visa to Ukraine:

- Visa application form for Ukraine;

- A passport valid for at least 3 months after traveling to Ukraine and with a total validity period of no more than 10 years.

- Two passport-size photos - 35 mm x 45 mm.

- Travel medical insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros for the entire period of stay.

- Confirmation of sufficient funds for the entire period of stay: bank statements, payslips, etc.

- Proof of accommodation in Ukraine (hotel, hostel, etc.).

- A return ticket from Ukraine.

- Proof of paid visa fee for Ukraine.

- Additional documents confirming the purpose of your trip.

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How can a foreigner confirm the purpose of traveling to Ukraine?

Depending on the type of visa you have and the purpose of your trip, you can justify your trip with one of the following documents:

- A notarized invitation from Ukrainian citizens - relatives, acquaintances, friends, etc.

- Hotel reservations, apartment rental agreements.

- Travel vouchers.

- Invitations to a seminar, tickets to exhibitions, fairs.

- Documents on treatment in medical institutions.

- Written confirmation of a meeting, conference, etc.

- Job invitations.

- Invitations from companies and organizations.

- Document on studying at a Ukrainian university.

- Visa or tickets to a third country (to justify the purpose of the trip "transit to a third country").

Read this article to find out if it is safe for foreign tourists to travel to Ukraine now.

How to make an invitation for a foreigner to Ukraine?

One of the most common ways to confirm the purpose of your trip to Ukraine is to issue an invitation to a foreigner to Ukraine, which must be properly executed.

There are 2 types of invitations:

1. Invitation from a legal entity. It can be a Ukrainian company, a volunteer organization, a charitable foundation, a representative office of an organization, etc. Such invitations are also called business invitations or business invitations. It is issued on the company's letterhead and approved by the director's signature and seal. The invitation must contain the original registration number and date of issue, and does not require notarization.

2. Invitation from an individual. This may be an invitation from a relative, friend, bride/groom, etc. Such an invitation is also called a guest invitation. It must be notarized by a notary, for which purpose the person inviting the foreigner submits a passport (or certificate) and TIN to a public or private notary and signs an invitation statement printed on a notarial form.

If you have any questions regarding the preparation of documents for entering Ukraine, our lawyers are ready to answer them right now. Request a consultation and get comprehensive answers to all your questions. Our migration specialists have been providing full documentary support services for foreigners entering Ukraine for many years.

How to apply for a visa to Ukraine? Algorithm of actions

1. Register and fill out an online application for a Ukrainian visa on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. You must indicate your citizenship, purpose of travel, and country of application. This is where you will receive information about which Ukrainian embassy, consulate or visa center in that country you can apply to.

2. Print out the form. After you fill out the form, you should print it out so that you can submit it later.

3. Gather the necessary documents mentioned above

4. Pay the visa fee.

5. Submit the application and documents to the Ukrainian embassy, consulate or visa center.

Important! Contact the office where you plan to apply or visit the website to find out about opening hours, reception times, and the preferred method of application. Not all Ukrainian diplomatic and visa offices operate in the same way. Some may require you to apply in person, while others may ask you to send your application by mail.

Earlier, we told you how to prepare for a trip to Ukraine and about the peculiarities of insurance for foreigners in times of war.

How long does it take to get a visa to Ukraine?

The processing time for a Ukrainian visa is about 10 days. However, the processing time also depends on the embassy or consulate where you apply, and in some cases may take longer. You should apply to the authorized body for a visa no earlier than 3 months before the start of your planned trip.

How much does a visa to Ukraine cost?

The standard fee for obtaining a Ukrainian visa starts from $65, and for an urgent visa - from $130. The visa fee for certain types of visas for applicants from certain countries may differ from the standard visa fee. It should be understood that the price of a visa may be more expensive with intermediaries.

Visas for minors are issued free of charge.

Electronic eVisa to Ukraine

In January 2019, Ukraine approved an electronic visa procedure to simplify the process of applying for a Ukrainian visa. An e-visa to Ukraine is issued entirely online - there is no need to visit a Ukrainian embassy or consulate. It is issued for short-term stays of up to 30 days and single entry.

The purpose of a visit for which an e-visa can be issued is tourism, business, private visit, medical treatment, journalism, attending cultural, sports, educational, or scientific events.

Only citizens of the countries on this list can apply for an e-visa.

An application for a Ukrainian e-visa must be submitted at least 10 days before the planned trip to Ukraine.

Visit Ukraine would like to draw the attention of foreigners to the fact that when visiting Ukraine, they should first of all take care of security issues. Under martial law, a visit to Ukraine must be accompanied by a reliable insurance policy that can cover all wartime risks, including injuries from military operations, terrorist acts, etc. as well as outpatient and emergency treatment.

Just a reminder. You can read about the main restrictions in Ukraine that apply under martial law here. 

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

In order to organize a trip, ensure a safe move and successful employment in a new country, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

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