• Home
• FORUM
• Travel Ukraine
• Travel Kiev
  Kiev Photo Gallery
• Getting there
  Ukraine visa
  Visa support
  Embassy of Ukraine
  Kiev airport
  
• Going out
  Kiev night clubs
  Kiev restaurants
  
• Shopping
• Transportation
• Communication
• Helpful telephones
• Useful links

Ukraine visa regulations

Ukraine Visa Regulations

June 2002

To enter Ukraine, no visa is required for persons who hold:

(a) a diplomatic, service/official/ special or ordinary travel passports or any other document that certifies the individual’s identity and confirms his or her citizenship of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Stan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan or Uzbekistan;
(b) a diplomatic, service/official/special or ordinary travel passports or other document issued for travel abroad for citizens of Georgia, Mongolia, Hungary, Poland and Romania;
(c) a diplomatic, service / official or special passport of Argentina Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Croatia, Cuba, Guinea, Iran, Peoples Democratic Republic of Korea, Laos, Lithuania, Slovakia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Viet Nam or Yugoslavia;
(d) a diplomatic or service passports of Latvia for the period of the holders assignment to the Embassy or consular post of Latvia in Ukraine; or
(e) a diplomatic passports of Estonia, Israel or Mexico.

In light of possible variances among visa agreements between Ukraine and those countries listed in subparagraphs (c) through (e) above, holders of such passports are urged to contact the Embassy of Ukraine for any limitations or conditions that may exist pursuant to said visa agreements. Similarly, holders of diplomatic/ service /official or special passports from any other country requiring a Ukrainian visa are also urged to contact the Embassy of Ukraine prior to submitting their visa applications.

Who requires a visa:All persons other than those listed above, who wish to enter Ukraine, are required to have a Ukrainian visa, valid for the period of their intended stay in Ukraine, inserted into their passports or travel documents. Please note that all Ukrainian visas serve as both an entry and exit visa. Holders of ordinary passports of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Somali, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Viet Nam, of other countries of the Near and Middle East and Northern Africa are urged to contact the Consular Section prior to submitting their visa applications.

Visa Types:T he type of visa to be issued is based upon the purpose of the person’s entry into Ukraine. The various types of visas include diplomatic, service, business, student, private, transit and immigration. Also, a visa may be issued for a specific purpose of entry, i.e. to conduct scientific, rescue, cultural, sports, humanitarian and charitable, religious or mass media activities, transport passengers or cargo. As only one type of visa can be issued per single, double or a multiple entries, the primary purpose of the entry or entries should be indicated in the visa application form.

Where, When and How to Apply: Each of the above visas may be applied for in person at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine or Ukrainian Consulates in your country. Documents may also be sent by mail or through authorized travel/visa services (check with Embassy of Ukraine in your country)
Please be advised that the Consular Office does not accept any other kind of mail and does not bear responsibility for postal service. Any application received on Saturday, Sunday and official local or Ukrainian holidays (January 1 & 7, March 8, May 1-2 & 9, June 6, June 28, and August 24) will be processed starting on the next business day.

Required documents: All requests for visas must include the following at the time of application:
(a) an original passport or travel document, which must be valid for at least one month after the expiration date of the requested visa, and which must contain a blank visa page;
(b) a visa application form, which is available at any Ukrainian consular post or can be printed from the Web site of any Ukrainian consular post, that services one, including the Consular Section, whose Web site address is www.infoukes.com/ukremb/consular.shtml
Legible duplicated copies of the application form are also accepted. A separate visa application form must be submitted for each holder of a passport or travel document. The visa application form must be answered completely* and typed or printed in block letters in black or blue ink, dated and signed by the applicant. Any corrections made on the application form should be initialed by the applicant. If the applicant is under the age of 16, the parent or legal guardian must sign the application form on the child’s behalf. If a child is included in an adult’s passport or travel document, that child must be included in the adult’s visa application form with a separate photograph for the child, and will be listed on the adult’s visa;
(c) one color full front view passport size photograph on a white background, taken within six months of the date of application and attached in the designated space of the visa application form;
(d) the consular fee for processing the visa, in the exact amount as indicated below. Payment should be in the form of a certified personal check, bank check or money order made payable to the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada. Uncertified checks and cash are not accepted. Payment for return postage should not be sent. Each visa application must be accompanied with its own check or money order. Visa processing fee is waived for holders of diplomatic and in most cases service/official/ or special passports and for persons entering Ukraine for purposes of providing humanitarian aid or conducting charitable activities.

In addition to the above-referenced items the following documents will also be required for the following visas:

immigration visa to enter Ukraine for authorized permanent residence - authorization for permanent residence in Ukraine from the local body of the executive branch. If the authorization was not applied for, obtained and/or received through the Consular Section, its original and one legible copy should be provided to the Consular Section, and the original will be returned to the applicant.

immigration visa to enter Ukraine for the purpose of employment - a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor of Ukraine. The original and one legible copy should be provided to the Consular Section, and the original will be returned to the applicant.

student visa for students, graduate candidates and interns proceeding to Ukraine for the purpose of studying- an original (copies are not accepted) prescribed invitation issued by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine;

private visa – a single entry private visa may be issued to persons who plan to stay in the home of a Ukrainian resident, and a single, double or multiple entry private visa may be issued to persons traveling to Ukraine for medical treatment. The former requires an original prescribed invitation in the applicant’s name issued by the local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine where the applicant will reside. This invitation, however, is not required from any person who can provide documentary evidence of being of Ukrainian origin. The latter requires an original or faxed confirmation of the proposed medical treatment of the applicant from the Ukrainian medical provider. Also note that applicants may request and be granted a multiple-entry private visa with a term of five (5) years, provided that they are interviewed at the Consular Section and at such time present documentary evidence of being of Ukrainian origin.

tourist visa - a document confirming that the purpose of the trip is tourism, i.e. either (a) a letter or a tourist voucher from a travel agency or other entity licensed to provide such services, indicating the applicant's name, itinerary of any tour or cruise, the name of any entity in Ukraine that may have assisted in organizing the tour or cruise, and reservation confirmation numbers in a hotel in each city to be visited by the applicant for more than 24 hours (except for cruises); (b) in instances of a non-organized tourist trip, a hotel voucher listing the applicant's name and reservation confirmation number for a hotel in each city to be visited by the applicant for more than 24 hours;

visa for representatives of rescue services to enter Ukraine in order to address the aftermath of a civil or natural disaster - an official written request issued by the Ministry of Civil Emergency Management of Ukraine. An original, copy or legible facsimile of the above -referenced request is acceptable.

service visa for representatives of the military to enter Ukraine on official business at the invitation of relevant ministries or other Ukrainian governmental entities - the Ukrainian invitation or a request from a foreign governmental entity, supported when necessary by the pertinent instruction to the Consular Section from Ukraine. An original, copy or legible facsimile of the above-referenced invitation or request is acceptable.

visa for representatives of the mass media to enter Ukraine for the purpose of conducting their professional duties - instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to the Consular Section.

* While it is not required, visa applicants may wish to include their telephone number in Item No. 8 of the form, which may assist the Consular Section in contacting the applicant in the event that any issues arise that would prevent the issuance of the visa. With respect to Item No.7 requesting a personal number, the applicant’s social security or driver’s license number should be supplied. With regard to the passport details requested in Item No. 9 of the form, the "type" of passport is located in the upper left hand corner of the identification page of the applicant’s passport, and the "issuing authority" is found below the words ‘ issuing office" in the lower right hand corner of the passport’s identification page. All persons must include the name and address of the inviting person or entity in Item No. 20 of the application form. With respect to the Item "Place of Submission", above the applicant’s signature, the applicant should fill in the city in which the consular post to which the application is being submitted is found, whether it be Ottawa, Toronto, etc.

immigration visa - permission of the Ministry of Labor of Ukraine to work in Ukraine or permission of local executive power authorities to live in Ukraine.

The issuance of a visa to persons entering Ukraine for purposes of providing humanitarian aid or conducting charitable activities requires a letter of confirmation of the purpose from the Commission on Humanitarian Aid of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. A legible facsimile copy of the letter is in most cases acceptable.

The issuance of a visa to persons entering Ukraine on religious matters or for work with religious organizations in Ukraine requires a letter of invitation from a Ukrainian religious organization. Such a letter of invitation must contain a written authorization from the State Committee of Ukraine on Religious Matters. The letter of invitation may be accompanied or substituted by the authorization letter from the State Committee itself. Legible facsimile copies of the above-referenced documents are in most cases acceptable.

transit visa - documents confirming the transitory nature of the travel (a visa to a third country, ticket and etc.)

---

Please note that the above-referenced supporting documentation is not required from citizens of Canada, U.S.A, Japan, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey and European Union Member States applying for a service, business or private visa or visa for entering Ukraine to conduct scientific, cultural or sports activities. Notwithstanding, all applicants should include the name and address of the inviting person or entity in Item No. 20 of the visa application form.

Period of validity of a visa is the period during which its holder may make single, double or multiple entries into Ukraine, depending upon the number of entries indicated on the visa. The period of validity is clearly indicated in the upper left hand corner of the visa by the "Valid from" and "Valid until" dates. The date of first entry, prior to which the visa holder cannot enter Ukraine, is the same date as that indicated in Item No. 17 of his or her application form. The visa holder may not remain in Ukraine after the expiration ("Valid until") date.

Application Fees: The fees listed below, which are not reimbursable after the issuance of a visa, may be paid by U.S. Dollars or in their equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of application. The application fee is waived for a diplomatic or service visa issued to representatives of state governmental entities who enter Ukraine on official business, technical personnel assigned to diplomatic missions and consular posts in Ukraine and members of their families, and for visas issued to persons proceeding to Ukraine for the purposes of providing humanitarian aid or conducting charitable activities.

Visa	Entries	Mode of Service and Fees in in U.S. Dollars
Student	Single entry	65 USD*
	Double and Multiple Entry for U.S. citizens	65 USD
Tourist	Single entry	75 USD
	Double entry	105 USD
Transit	Double entry	75 USD
	Multiple entry	145 USD
Other	Single entry	75 USD
	Double entry	105 USD
	Multiple entry	165 USD

* This fee also applies to those citizens of the United States who enter Ukraine on religious matters or to conduct scientific, cultural or sports activities within the context of cultural, scientific and sports exchange programs.

The above fees do not apply to the citizens of the Czech Republic, who should contact the Consular Section prior to submitting their visa applications.

Processing Times: The normal time for processing visa applications is fourteen (14) calendar days, from the next business day after the Consular Section receives the visa application and all attendant documents as described above, to the day that the visa is ready to be picked up or sent out to the applicant. Accordingly, the time required for postal or courier delivery is not included in this fourteen (14) day period. For the applicant’s convenience, expedited service may also be requested whereby, the visa will be available within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt of the visa application by the Consular Section. An additional fee is charged for the expedited service, as noted above. For both the normal and expedited services, the processing time commences and concludes on days of business of the Consular Section. Thus, if the day that a visa application is received or a visa is ready for pick up or delivery falls on Saturday or Sunday or a Ukrainian or Canadian public holiday, the next business day will apply. Accordingly, the above-referenced time frame must be taken into account when requesting an initial date of validity of the visa and planning the date of arrival into Ukraine. If the requested initial date of entry into Ukraine falls within the time for processing, the Consular Section will be required to return the visa application unprocessed. Similarly, if the initial date of entry into Ukraine is too close to the end of the processing period, the visa may be received by the applicant beyond the intended date of departure. When simultaneously sending multiple visa applications requesting varying processing times, a separate return envelope should be provided for both the normal and expedited services. Please note that the Consular Section strongly advises visa applicants not to purchase a non-refundable air ticket prior to receiving the required Ukrainian visa. The Consular Section cannot accept responsibility for any financial or other loss, which may res ult from the cancellation of an anticipated date of departure.

Visa Releasing: A passport or travel document with the visa, if to be picked up in person, may only be released to the holder or his or her designee pursuant to written signed instructions from the holder. If they are to be returned by mail or a courier service, the Consular Section must be provided with a pre-paid self-addressed return envelope or a duly completed courier service waybill and envelope. If none is provided, or if the courier service were to refuse pick up the return envelope for whatever reason, the passport or travel document will be held by the Consular Section gratis pending: (a) its pick up in person by its owner or designee, or (b) such time as a pre-paid self-addressed envelope or duly completed courier service waybill together with the courier service's envelope is provided for its return.

Please take note that while the Consular Section has a working relationship with various courier services, currently FedEx is not one of them. Accordingly, should the document be returned via FedEx, the applicant will need to call the Consular Section between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to confirm whether the visa is ready, and if so, to make the appropriate arrangements for the pick up with FedEx.

The Consular Section disclaims any responsibility for any mail that is lost, damaged, misdirected or delivered late.

Checking the visa: The Consular Section strongly advises that after visa is received it should be checked carefully. The Consular Section will not be responsible for any losses arising from omissions or discrepancies between the data on the visa application form and the visa itself, which were not brought to the attention of the Consular Section in writing within a reasonable time period to allow for the correction that may be required.

Replacement of a visa. Since no revisions can be made to a computer-generated visa, in the event that there is a need to change the entry and/or exit date in the visa, an application for a new visa must be submitted, except in those instances where the data on the visa differs from that provided in the application form. In the latter instances the applicant can send his passport to the Consular Section with a letter stating the discrepancy and requesting the reissuance of a corrected visa. The issuance of the corrected visa in the latter instances will be done at no cost to the applicant, except for return postage.

Registration in Ukraine: No registration is required.

Changing status of visa: Only holders of the following types of visas may be permitted to change the status of their stay in Ukraine and to apply for permanent residency in Ukraine: (a) a diplomatic visa; (b) a service visa granted to representatives of state governmental entities, technical personnel assigned to diplomatic missions and consular posts and members of their families, representatives of international organizations to Ukraine and representatives of the military who enter Ukraine on official business; (c) an immigration visa issued to enter Ukraine for permanent residence; (d) a private visa issued to those who are of Ukrainian origin; (e) a visa for persons who bus passengers or truck cargo into Ukraine and for persons who serve as crewmembers on civil international airlines and train lines.

Travel Kiev	About Ukraine	About Kiev	Getting there	Going out
Have to see	Shopping	Transportation	Communication	Helpful telephones