Visa for Extended Stay in Ukraine

[XMan]

I may have an opportunity for a 6-12 month stay in Ukraine.  Due to the 90 / 180 day rule I would need to pursue a visa.  Wondering if someone has done that and if someone might then point me in the right direction concerning forms, cost, requirements, etc.
 
Thanks.
 

[Muzh]

The official response would is:
 

On 6 May 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine amended the "Rules for Entry of Foreigners and Apatrides into Ukraine, Their Transit Through and Exit From Ukraine", which were approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1074, dated 29 December 1995 (the "Rules"). Those amendments (the "Amendments") became effective as of 15 May 2009.

1. Not More than 90 Days Stay within 180 Days

According to the new wording of Article 19 of the Rules, except for holders of certain limited types of visas (e.g., student visas, work visas), foreigners may stay in Ukraine only as follows: (1) a foreigner from a country, the citizens of which need a visa, may stay for the term of the validity of his/her visa, but for not more than for 90 days within 180 days counting from the date of the first entry; and (2) a foreigner from a country, the citizens of which do not need a visa, may stay for up to 90 days within 180 days counting from the date of his/her first entry, unless otherwise stipulated by a bilateral agreement to which Ukraine is a party. This limitation applies even if the visa (i.e., a business visa, a private visa, etc.), which has been issued to the foreigner, is valid for 6-months, 1-year, or longer.

This limit also applies to citizens, i.e., both tourists, private and business visitors, etc., of the EU, Japan, the USA, and all other countries, for which the requirement for a visa has been waived (since 2005) for visits of less than 90 days. Therefore, it will not be possible any longer to enter Ukraine for 89 days, to exit for a brief period, and, in a couple of days, to re-enter for the next 89 days.

If a foreigner needs to spend more than 90 days within the above-mentioned 180 days period, then an application for an extension must be filed within the appropriate division of the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior at least 3 business days before the expiration of the 90 days. If such extension is granted, it will be valid only for a continuous stay in the country (i.e., until the expiration of the term of the individual's visa or of another allowed period, as the case may be), but not for re-entry into Ukraine. If the extension is not granted, then the foreigner must leave the country before the 90-days period comes to an end.

Of course, you are dealing with Ukraine so things can change depending on how deep are your pockets.

[SaintPeter]

 Hi, Did anyone give you an idea of how easily the Ukraine Ministry of the Interior grants these extensions.
  I will not be working, only living and of course spending money into the Ukraine economy.
 I am 69 and engaged to a wonderful woman. We do plan to marry, perhaps not this winter, but next. I want to stay in Yalta for 180 days, 12 Nov. 2011, until 30 April2012.