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Easy Guide - Requirements for Foreigners to Enter and Exit Ukraine

The Chamber would like to provide all interested companies, individuals and other parties with the basic information regarding procedures of entering, exiting and transit procedures for foreigners on the territory of Ukraine.

Please note that the Chamber will be happy to provide you with full contact details of the selected Member companies, which specialized in providing professional support for foreigners needed visa support, work permits issuing, etc. and please contact Ms. Olena Lukianenko, Policy Assistant to request the list of Members many of which are Member of the Chamber HR Committee and the Chamber Legal Committee.

The American Chamber of Commerce runs this corner on a regular basis and would like to thank all Members who helped and are helping to keep the following section updated.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • ENTERING
  • EXITING
  • TRANSITING
  • EMPLOYMENT IN UKRAINE
  • OBTAINING WORK PERMITS
  • TYPES OF VISA GROUNDS FOR ISSUING
  • LIST OF LEGISLATION COVERING ENTRANCE & EXIT AND TRANSIT

ENTERING

NEW - YOU ARE INSPECTED IN REGARDS TO FINANCIAL MAINTENANCE AT THE BORDER WHEN ENETRING IF:

You are the citizen of one of certain countries (5 countries of the former USSR – Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and 85 countries of Africa and Asia).

Please click  here to find the full list contained in the Annex 4 to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers #1074).

IMPORTANT:

  • Random inspection over the availability of enough financial maintenance of foreigners and stateless citizens is realized at check points through the state border. 
  • The amount of the necessary maintenance is the equivalent of 20-fold amount of the subsistence minimum (UAH 12520), set on the day of entry into Ukraine per each month of stay or for the term less than month. According to the Article 54 of the Law of Ukraine #835-VI dated December 26th, 2008 “On 2009 State Budget” the subsistence minimum has been set at the rate of 2008, which equals UAH 626. 
  • The availability of financial maintenance is determined by means of: 

- visual inspection of financial  facilities availability at the moment of entry into Ukraine;

- study of the document with indication of the amount of financial facilities, based on which one can get facilities at the banks of Ukraine;

- visual inspection of the payment card and study of the applicant’s personal banking account record;

- study of the document, confirming reservation or housing payment, dining payment in Ukraine;

- study of the agreement on touristic service;

- study of the guarantee letter of the person, who invited the foreigner, being responsible for payment of all his expenses;

- check of passage ticket for departure out of Ukraine; 

  • In case the financial maintenance was not confirmed, the decision on refusal to pass the state border for the foreigner and stateless citizens will be issued and the measures undertaken to return them to the country of arrival. 
  • The checks are conducted by not less than 2 officers and might be invited to the office premises of the checkpoint through the customs border for holding the interview.

The main document governing the process is the Order of the State Frontier Service Administration “On Approval of the Procedure of Conducting the Random Inspection Control over the Availability of Enough Financial Maintenance of Foreigners and Stateless Citizens” #519     dated July 14th, 2009.    

A) YOU CAN TRAVEL WITHOUT VISA IF:

  1. You are citizen of European Union country, the Swiss Confederation, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Andorra, the State of Vatican City, the Republic of Island, the Principality of Monaco, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of San Marino, Canada, the United States of America and Japan.

    IMPORTANT:

    • The above mentioned citizens can enter or transit Ukraine without visa for short-stays in Ukraine and not exceeding 180 days during a year period (the main document governing the processes is the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution #1074 "Rules on the foreigners' entering, exiting and transit of the territory of Ukraine'' dated December 29th, 1995).

    • The State Frontier Service of Ukraine Administration issued the Order approving the Regulations on Data Base "Information on Foreigners and Stateless Persons who Exceeded Term of Registration of Passport Documents in Ukraine" #444 dated May 27th, 2008. The computer-aided data base was created for ensuring the control over meeting the term of registration of their passport documents by foreigners and stateless persons for a s short-term stay in Ukraine. It is formed based on computer-aided calculation of the number of days of temporary stay of foreigners and stateless persons at the territory of Ukraine according to the information regarding their entry and departure from Ukraine.

      In any case a foreigner or a party who invited him/her should calculate the days of stay by themselves in order to clearly account the terms of legal stay at the territory of Ukraine. The calculation of the term is renewed every 1 January of the upcoming year. In case a foreign citizen exceeded the prescribed term of 90 or 180 days without prolongation of his/her registration and such fact was discovered, he/she would be fined with UAH340 and UAH680 respectively (this is governed by the Code on Administration Violations, Article 203).

  2. You are citizen of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) members-states entering Ukraine or transiting through its territory due to the Rules of Stay and Registration (Protocol on the mutual acknowledgement of visa for citizens of all member states of Commonwealth of Independent States through the territory of its parties dated October 9th, 1992).

B) YOU NEED VISA IF:

  • You arrive in Ukraine for employment purposes, permanent residence, and study or for any other purposes and intend to stay longer than 180 days during the one year period. In that case foreigners should obtain visas in Ukrainian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad.

EXITING

Foreign citizens and non-citizens, temporary staying in Ukraine, should exit the country in the course of the rules of entry to Ukraine.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers' Resolution #910, dated June 5th, 2000, foreign citizens and non-citizens, which have the permanent residence in Ukraine or staying in Ukraine with the job purpose confirmed by the Centre of Employment or studying at the high school education institutions of Ukraine, exit Ukraine according to the passport documents with appropriate marks and certificates for residence.

TRANSITING

Transit of foreigners through the territory of Ukraine is allowed, in case if the foreigner has a transit Ukrainian visa, a destination country visa and tickets or other documents proving that the intended trip is really a transit.

Citizens of the States which have concluded international agreements with Ukraine on visa-free traveling of citizens enter into Ukraine with a valid national passport, provided they have an insurance policy and a duly arranged invitation (original) by a legal or private person from Ukraine, if otherwise is not envisaged by an international agreement. There still exists a visa-free regime with the CIS countries (according to the Agreement on Visa-Free Migration of the CIS Countries Citizens of October 9th, 1992), including Russia and Belarus (according to the concluded agreements).

EMPLOYMENT IN UKRAINE

In case a foreigner intends to work and receive official salary in Ukraine he/she must obtain a work permit allowing getting the EI-1 visa. The permit for employment is issued by the State Employment Centre of the Ministry of Labor or by appropriate employment centers in order to allow foreigners to work for companies, institutions, organization which have invited a foreigner for taking up a certain position due to the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution #2028 "On Issuing Work Permits to Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in Ukraine", dated November 1st, 1999.

Due to the Procedure a work permit for employment is issued to foreign nationals and persons without the citizenship intending to work in Ukraine and who provided that there are no employees capable of performing this particular type of work in Ukraine, or there is sufficient justification for the expediency of using employment of foreign professionals.

OBTAINING WORK PERMITS

In order to obtain a work permit an employer submits the following documents to appropriate employment centre:

  • Written application;
  • Substantiation for the need of using the work of foreigners and possibility of establishing for them required conditions of stay and activity;
  • Copy of an agreement between foreign and Ukrainian subjects of commercial activity on performance of certain volume of works or services (if such agreement has been concluded);
  • Copy of Statute and Certificate of State Registration of subject of commercial activity notarized in due order;
  • List of foreigners with indication of their full names and surnames, dates of birth, numbers of passports, specialization (professions), genders;
  • Copy of a draft employment agreement between an employer and a foreigner-employee;
  • Document (an order, an extract from minutes of meeting, a power of attorney, etc) formalized in due order and certifying that a representative of an employer is authorized to represent employer before employment centre;
  • Copies of documents on education or qualification;
  • Certificate of payment of all taxes and duties foreseen by legislation by employer obtained from the State Tax Service;
  • Receipt of payment for application consideration.

A work permit is not required from foreigners who reside permanently in Ukraine as well as from other foreigners in cases foreseen by laws and international treaties of Ukraine (e.g., in case of employment of a foreigner by investor within and according to position (specialization) defined by production sharing agreement. Moreover, according to international treaties there may be other procedures of employment of family members of employees of diplomatic and consular representative institutions).

A work permit is issued for one year period, but still can be prolonged due to the procedures above-mentioned at appropriate employment centre not later than a month before previous validity term expiration of a work permit.

TYPES OF VISA GROUNDS FOR ISSUING

All categories of visas are issued by Ukraine's diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad. The Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issues diplomatic visas in the territory of Ukraine to diplomats for the term of their accreditation. Service visas are issuing to officers of foreign affairs institutions of foreign states in case of presence of a service passport, to foreign mass media staff as well as to the members of their families for the period of service card validity.

At the territory of Ukraine the period of visas validity could be prolonged by the offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution #227 dated February 20th, 1999 visas for foreigners are issued on the basis of their entry purpose, provided they have the appropriate documents.

Depending on validity, there exist the following types of visas: short-term visas (issued for up to 6 months) and long-term visas (6-12 months); by frequency of use the visas are divided into single, multiple and collective.

  • P-1 (private visa) - invitation of an established type duly arranged by the internal affairs agencies or an invitation of a Ukrainian medical institution and other documents proving the private nature of the trip.

  • P-2 (private visa) - personal application, results of a personal interview with an employee of a Ukrainian diplomatic mission or consular post which is in charge of deciding whether a visa can be issued, and documents proving Ukrainian background of an foreigner or a non-citizen.

  • B (business visa) - invitation of an established type duly arranged by the internal affairs agencies.

  • T (tourist visa) - documents proving the tourist nature of the trip.

  • H (visa for members of humanitarian missions) - approval by the Commission at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for coordination, acceptance, transportation, security and distribution of humanitarian aid rendered by foreign States.

  • E (visa for members of rescue services) - approval by the Ministry of Emergency Issues of Ukraine.

  • O (student visa) - invitation of an established type issued by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine.

  • M (visa for mass media staff) - Instruction by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on issuing the visa.

  • R (visa for members of religious missions) - invitation by a religious organization, certified by the State Committee of Religions.

  • TP-1 (transit visa) - document proving the transit nature of the trip, visa to a third country, ticket, etc.

  • TP-2 (transit visa) - documents proving the transit nature of cargo transportation and public bus transportation through the territory of Ukraine.

  • EI-1 (immigration visa) - work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour.

  • EI-2 (immigration visa) - permit by a local executive body for permanent residence in Ukraine.

  • OI (visa for international transport service staff) - license for international transportations issued by the corresponding agency of the host country.

Visas of other types are issued on the request by the State authorities of foreign countries, international organizations, invitation cards issued by ministries, by other central executive power bodies, as well as invitation cards of the type established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from Ukrainian legal and natural persons.

There is no need in invitation for issuing visas (types C, B, M, K, P) for the citizens of states - members of the European Union, Canada, Slovak Republic, United States, Turkey, Switzerland and Japan (in accordance with Decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine #750 dated May 5th, 2000, #1376 dated September 1st , 2000, #192 dated February 28th, 2001).

In case of need, an employee of a Ukrainian diplomatic mission or a consular office may request additional documents which would in a better way specify the aim of the foreigner's/non-resident's trip or invite a certain person for an additional interview.

The grounds for obtaining visas depend on the type of visa and are defined in the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution "Rules of Issuing of Visa Documents to Enter Ukraine" approved by the #227dated February 20th, 1999. In general, for private and business visas an invitation of a defined format from legal or physical persons is required.

LIST OF LEGISLATION COVERING ENTRANCE & EXIT AND TRANSIT

  • Protocol on the mutual acknowledgement of visa for citizens of all member states of Commonwealth of Independent States through the territory of its parties dated October 9th, 1992.
  • Agreement on Visa-Free Entry for Nationals of Ukraine into Republic of Belarus and for Nationals of Republic of Belarus into Ukraine dated December 17th, 1992.
  • Agreement between Government of Ukraine and Government of Russian Federation on Visa-Free Travel for Nationals of Ukraine and Russian Federation dated October 30th, 2004.
  • Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and Government of the Tajikistan Republic dated July 6th, 2001.
  • Agreement between Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Government of Republic of Moldova on Visa-Free Travel of Nationals dated December 27th, 2001.
  • Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and Government of the Kazakhstan Republic dated January 10th, 2002.
  • Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated February 25th, 2004.
  • Agreement between Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Government of Republic of Croatia on Terms and Conditions of Mutual Travel of Nationals dated April 5th, 2006 #456.
  • The Law on Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons dated February 4th, 1994, #3929-ХІI.
  • The Law on Procedure of Importing into Ukraine, Customs Clearance and Taxation of Personal Belongings, Goods and Transport Vehicles Imported by Nationals into Customs Territory of Ukraine dated September 13th, 2001, #681-ІІІ.
  • The Law on Immigration dated June 7th, 2001 #2707-IV.
  • Decree of the President of Ukraine on Establishing a Visa-Free Regime for Nationals of United State of America dated June 30th, 2005 #1008/2005.
  • Decree of the President of Ukraine on Establishing Visa-Free Regime for Nationals of Japan dated July 19th, 2005 #1107/2005.
  • Decree of the President of Ukraine on Establishing Visa-Free Regime for Nationals of Member State of European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein dated July 26th, 2005 #1131/2005.
  • Decree of the President of Ukraine on Establishing Visa-Free Regime for Nationals of Canada dated July 26th,2005 #1134.
  • Decree of the President of Ukraine Visa-Free Regime for Nationals of Principality of Andorra, State of Vatican City, Republic of Island, the Principality of Monaco, Kingdom of Norway and Republic of San Marino dated November  29th, 2005, #1663/2005.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Rules of Entering, Exiting and Transiting Ukraine by Foreigners and Stateless Persons dated December 29th, 1995, #1074.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Data Declared by Citizens according to Set Form in Case of Movement of Goods and Other Objects through Customs Border of Ukraine dated July 15th, 1997, #748.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Approval of Rules of State Registration and Record-keeping of Automobiles, Buses and Self-propelled Vehicles Built on Chassis of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles of all Kinds, Models, Trailers, Semi-trailers and Cycle-cars dated September 7th, 1998, #1388.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on New Procedure of Issuance of Visa Documents for Entry into Ukraine dated February 20th, 1999, #228.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Approval of Tariffs of Consular Fee Charged for Issuance of Visa Documents for Entry into Ukraine dated August 9th, 1999, #1457.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Approval of Procedure of Issuance of Permit for Employment of Foreigners and Stateless Persons in Ukraine dated November 1st, 1999, #2028.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Approval of an Amounts of Food Products and Procedure of Moving Them into the Customs Territory of Ukraine by Citizens for Personal Consumption and the List of Items Which Cannot be Included in Personal Belongings of Citizens dated December 13th, 2001, #1652.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on the Procedure of Entry into Ukraine for Nationals of States of the Commonwealth of Independent States dated May 6th, 2001, #426.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Approval of List of Paid Services Provided by the Agencies and Subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, dated June 4th, 2007, #795.
  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on Amendments to the Instructions on Procedure of Issuance of Visa Documents for Entry into Ukraine dated November 8th, 2007 #1309.
  • Resolution of the National Bank of Ukraine Board on Approval of Regulations on Transportation of Cash and Bank Metals through Customs Border of Ukraine dated May 27th, 2008 #148.
  • Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Approval of Instructions on Procedure of Issuance of Visa Documents to Foreigners and Stateless Persons for Entry into Ukraine dated April 7th, 1999, #63.
  • Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Approval of Instructions on Procedure of Extension of Period of Stay in Ukraine for Foreigners and Stateless Persons dated December 1st, 2003, #1456.
  • Order of the State Committee for State Border Protection on Approval of Instructions on Procedure of Registration of Foreigners and Their Passport Documents at Points of Entry at State Border dated December 24th, 2001, # 773.
  • Order of the State Frontier Service of Ukraine Administration on Approval of Regulations on Data Base "Information on Foreigners and Stateless Persons who Exceeded Term of Registration of Passport Documents in Ukraine" dated May 27th, 2008, # 444.
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