Going to Ukraine, What do I need?

[Photo Guy]

My friend in Phoenix, just married a woman from near
Kazan Russia. He had visited her a couple of times in the last
year or so. He recently mentioned something to me about
getting a 'letter of invitiation', in order to visit Larisa in Ukraine.
What do I need? Are Russia's requirements different from Ukraine's?
I have the impression I only need these TWO documents:
1- A passport
2- An entry visa (I'll get the 'private' version)
        Any other document required?  -doug, in Phoenix

[Turboguy]

I think the visa requirements for Ukraine are changing and getting easier.  In theory in the past you needed a letter of invitaton to apply for a visa.  I always used an agency and they took care of that for me.   there are many places that will issue the letter if you need it.  It won't be a big deal.

[Bruno]

No more need invitation letter for Ukraine... and for personal visa, just put the name and address of your girlfriend on the visa application form...

Other document ? Yes, a valid travel insurrance who cover medical expense... but it seem that it is no more need for stay below three month... you can buy one at airport for 0.5$ day... in anycase, i advice to use a personal travel insurrance of your own country... more expensive but better service... don't take a risk with your health !

[Muzh]

[user=134]Photo Guy[/user] wrote:

What do I need? Are Russia's requirements different from Ukraine's?
I have the impression I only need these TWO documents:
1- A passport
2- An entry visa (I'll get the 'private' version)
Any other document required? -doug, in Phoenix

Doug:

Yes, there is a big difference.  You don't need an invitation letter anymore to travel to UA.  Also, the multi-entry 5 year visa is an additional $45 dollars and you fill out the exact same form, except you mark "5 year" instead of tourist.

[ConnerVT]

What do you need?  Pants.  You should definitely wear pants.  They probably won't let you into the country without them... ;)

[Michelangelo]

[user=134]Photo Guy[/user] wrote:

My friend in Phoenix, just married a woman from near
Kazan Russia. He had visited her a couple of times in the last
year or so. He recently mentioned something to me about
getting a 'letter of invitiation', in order to visit Larisa in Ukraine.
What do I need? Are Russia's requirements different from Ukraine's?
I have the impression I only need these TWO documents:
1- A passport
2- An entry visa (I'll get the 'private' version)
        Any other document required?  -doug, in Phoenix

I did not know you could get a "private" visa? Does this mean it does not go in your passport?

[Bruno]

Michael,

I use a private visa too... private visa meen that you visit a private person, someone... that you don't go to Ukraine for tourist... this help me for the paperwork after for the marriage, it prove that i have meet her, that i know her...

Several people use tourist visa because they use tourist agency ... since i organize the trip and stay myself, i can only use a privat visa... i am not rich and service of tourist agency ( travel agency ) are not free... my plane trip is only 400 euro to Odessa, and for the appartment, Galina have find one very good in Nikolaev for only 70$ by week... not in center but 10 minutes with tram !!!

[Bruce]

Michael - a private visa goes in your passport like any other.  It is just one of the, if I remember correctly, one of the three categories an individual can use when applying for a visa from the US to Ukraine can use.  When you fill out the visa paperwork questions for Ukraine you just check the box marked private and list the address and telephone number of the girl / your contact (translator / guide etc.) in Ukraine who is helping you, at least initially.   That approach worked fine for me for the two times that I visited Ukraine.   These days it seems that multi-entry Ukraine visas are much easier to come by as well - so if you have real interest in a girl(s) at this time and plan on spending alot of time with her / narrowing your choices down I suggest you go for a multi-entry visa.

[Photo Guy]

What do you need?  Pants.  You should definitely wear pants.  They probably won't let you into the country without them... ;)

This reminds me of my first phone call with Larisa in Ukraine
along with a Moscow interpreter. During the call, it was about
20 degrees F  in their two cities and almost 70 degrees here
in Phoenix. Larisa asked me how people were dressing here.
I said you may need a sweater, and it can be so warm you can
wear 'shorts'. That word meant nothing to the interpreter.
Maybe they don't wear them in Moscow? It was odd.  -doug

[Photo Guy]

What do I need in terms of pills, shots, vaccinations,
intoxicants, etc?  -doug

[Bruce]

Photoguy - it depends how paranoid you are.  I would start out with some rubbers in case you hit a home run.  An up to date tetanus shot is always a good idea to have.  If you are worried about the water chlorine pills or drink bottled (I'd recommend drinking processed beverages and bottled water) water plus use bottled water for brushing your teeth.  You may want to take some lomotil in the event you have the runs - though most guys will not get them and consider two weeks worth of antibiotics like amoxicillin just in case - but I always had the lomotil and amoxicillin and never had to use them.  Maybe you want to get your liver in drinking shape......

BRING intoxicants TO Ukraine? You are joking right... Seriously a couple of bottles of good tequillia or bourbon make nice gifts.

I use melatonin to combat jet lag but that's a personal thing I guess. It works for me 'cause when I hit town the party is on baby. No lag time allowed.

Dang, I gotta get back to see my pal Rostick and down to Crimea and see Eugene. It's been too long!

[Son of Clyde]

I was told to get Hepatitis A shots so I received one before the trip and one a few months later.

 

Wear nothing but black Russians like the Goth look.