To enter Ukraine Ukrainian visa is required for citizens of most countries.
Visas are issued by Ukrainian Consulates.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to obtain Ukrainian visa in airports
or Customs' Offices on the border, therefore visa has to be taken care
of in advance.
Visa holds information on type:
- term of validity
- and usually reflects your itinerary in Ukraine
which is based on application and visa supporting documents you provide
the Consulate with.
Visas are not required for citizens of the following countries:
Poland, Hungary, Romania, Mongolia, Former USSR countries, except for
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia.
Common types of Ukrainian visa:
TRANSIT VISA (VF)
Transit visas are issued provided your passport has valid visa for
the next country of your destination, or if visa to that country is
not required then tickets for transportation via Ukraine to the country
of your destination are to be presented. Transit visa does not allow
its holder to stay in Ukraine; it is supposed that travel through
Ukraine to the country of destination can not exceed 5 days for one
or several entries. Transit visas are expedient when Ukraine is a
transit country of your travel itinerary. Transit visa can not be
extended on the territory of Ukraine.
PRIVATE VISA (VP)
Private visa is for home stay visits; it is issued basing on original
invitation from residents of Ukraine in the applicant's name by local
"Visas Permits and Passports Department" office (OVIR). Please, note
that invitations must be in original, the Consulates do not accept
e-mail or fax copies. Private visa holder is authorized to stay on
the territory of Ukraine up to 180 days. This type of visa is good
if you are going to visit your relatives or acquaintances. Please,
make sure that you have enough time to wait for the invitation that
is to be mailed from Ukraine. Private Ukrainian visa can be extended
on the territory of Ukraine provided its holder has serious reasons
(such as marriage, illness, etc.)which are stated by the inviting
party in their visa extension supporting documents which are to be
authorized by a local OVIR.
BUSINESS VISA (VB)
Business visa is for business visits to Ukraine and is issued basing
on invitation of a legal business registered in Ukraine according
to Ukrainian regulations and a copy of State Registration Certificate
of this company. The majority of Consulates accept fax copies of these
documents. Business visa holders are authorized to stay in Ukraine
up to one year. Term of visa validity depends on the purpose of a
visit. Visa supporting documents for long-term business visas should
have serious business motivation. Long-term business visas may require
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine authorization; it is to be
processed in Kiev and takes 7-10 working days. Business visa is expedient
if you have business affiliate in Ukraine, and/or you need to make
frequent and long-term visits to Ukraine. Business visa can be extended
on the territory of Ukraine upon request of inviting party, which
is to be applied to a local OVIR office.
TOURIST VISA (VT)
Tourist visa is for visiting Ukraine with purpose of tourism. Tourist
visa holder is authorized for staying in Ukraine up to 180 days in
one or two entries. Tourist visa is issued basing on invitation from
travel agency and hotel vouchers confirming hotel(s) reservations.
Vouchers might be substituted by hotel confirmations produced by hotels.
The majority of Consulates accept fax copies of these documents. Tourist
visa can be extended on the territory of Ukraine. Tourist visa is
the easiest in terms of collecting visa supporting documents and Consulate
processing.
Invitation letters are not required for citizens of European Community
countries, the USA, Canada, Japan, Turkey and Slovak Republic for applying
for the following types of Ukrainian visas: business, service, science,
cultural and private.
The following documents are usually required to be applied for Ukrainian
visa: valid foreign passport, filled application form in original (copies
are not accepted), 1 photo 35 X 45 mm size, visa supporting documents
(these documents are different for each type of visa), Consular fee.
Terms of visa processing and fees.
Standard term for visa processing is 10 working days. Term may depend
on the Consulate and visa type. If necessary, visa-processing term may
be shortened to 2-3 days; quick visa processing usually costs 2 times
more. Transit visas are produced within 1-2 working days.
Extending Ukrainian visas.
Business and private visas can be extended on the territory of Ukraine
in a local OVIR office, processing term is 3-5 working days. OVIR fee
is up to 20 USD. Business visa is the easiest to extend.