Ukraine visa Yes, Ukraine visa No! WHAT'S the answer????

[Jack]

Well, just as I thought the verdict was final, just as I thought I felt comfortable telling clients they would not need a visa to enter Ukraine, as I did two days ago, I get a copy of this e-mail this morning.
 
A client going on our upcoming tour wrote the Ukraine Embassy on Monday, the reply from Ukraine consulate came on Tuesday.
 
 
----- Original Message -----
  From: 
  To: consular@ukremb.com
  Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 1:57 AM
  Subject: Question Regarding Visa to Enter Ukraine

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am an American and will be traveling to Ukraine this September, 2005. I would like to know if I need a visa to enter the country. It seems there is some conflicting information on the internet and I would like to verify the actual requirements.

Thank you sincerely for your help and for your time.

Sincerest Regards,

...........................
  
Loveland, Ohio, USA

 
 
 
From: "Consular Department" <consular@ukremb.com>
Date: 2005/08/02 Tue PM 03:22:45 EDT
To: "
Subject: Re: Question Regarding Visa to Enter Ukraine

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please, be informed that the President of Ukraine signed the Decree No. 1008/2005 "On the Establishment of Visa-Free Regime for Citizens of the United States of America"        on June 30, 2005.

According to the mentioned Decree, starting July 1, 2005 visas are not required for the US citizens who enter Ukraine within six months after their previous trip to Ukraine or transit through its territory for a period of up to 90 days with a valid American travel passport.

For the US citizens who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work at the diplomatic missions of the USA in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days, visas are required.

The information on the visa requirements and fees is available on the web-site of the Embassy of Ukraine: http://www.ukraineinfo.us/consular/visas.html

Sincerely,

Consular Office

............................................................
 
 
wow, the Ukraine websites clearly states "within 6 months after previous visit".  So if you have never been to Ukraine, or you were there more than 6 months ago, you probably need a visa.
 
Jack
 
 
 
 

[Bruno]

Decree of the President of Ukraine No 1008/2005


On the Introduction of a Visa Free Regime for US Citizens


With the aim to develop and realize into practice principles of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States of America and guided by the aspirations to simplify the regime for mutual travels and to foster bilateral contacts in all fields of relationships, I issue a decree:


1 To introduce on July 1, 2005 a visa free regime for the US citizens for entering Ukraine and for transit through the territory of Ukraine, if they visit Ukraine for the second time within 6 months from the date of their first visit to Ukraine for a period which doesn't exceed 90 days.



2 The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine should set the compensation mechanism for the State Budget of Ukraine and introduce other measures, deriving from this Decree.


The President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko


June 30, 2005

 

So, Jack have right... no visa needed in case of second visit within the six month delay... and if the new stay is not more long that 90 days... the presidential text is clear about this...

 

[Michelangelo]

This is crazy!!!  It seems like it was settled and now who knows?  My case also has a twist--I was in Ukraine within the last 6 months (May), but I have a new passport that does not have the old visa for Ukraine.

I go again in three weeks...so I guess I will risk it (I think Bruno is right that you can stay up to 90 days).  But I hope someone else tests the waters first

As a backup, I will take receipts from my last trip...

[wxman]

From:  Consular Department <consular@ukremb.com>
To:  "
Subject:  Re: Bravenet Form Processor

Dear applicant,
 visa is not required if you can enter Ukraine during 6 months and if your
stay in Ukraine doesnt acceed 90 days.
Sincerely Yours,
Consular Office

 

Different answer from from same embassy. Based on my response, no visa needed is stay if less than 90 days during a 6 month period. 

 Also a written response with my returned application from Chicago consulte also stated no visa needed if stay is less than 90 days during a 6 month period.  I even attached cover letter that the last time I was there was more than 6 months ago. Still no visa needed. If you call the consulate in New York it will also state on recording that no visa needed if stay is less that 90 days in a 6 month period. The Ukrainian translation to English was initially poorly done. Now the translations are identical to decrees issued for Canada and EU. Again no visa needed if stay is less than 90 days within a 6 month period. Since consulate returned my passport with no visa, and embassy has told me no visa required, I am not worried.

[Jack]

Michael, I think you are safe. I have talked to one man who went to Ukraine in July, with no visa, and it was his first trip.

I even told some guys last week and I think the week before, NO visa needed!.

Then yesterday the Ukraine Consulate sends him the e-mail that says,...visas are not required for the US citizens who enter Ukraine within six months after their previous trip to Ukraine.

And this was sent yesterday!!

But I see on other sites, no visa needed.

Michael, I think your going to be fine. I think their is no visa required.

[Michelangelo]

Thanks, Jack!  I am going for it on Aug 21, so I'll let everyone know...

[wxman]

I'm finally getting down to the bottom of this mess. Here is a message I received from US embassy in Kiev today:

"The information on new visa regime for American citizens posted on our website is based solely on the official interpretation of the law received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine since we are not in the position to interpret foreign laws.  We were assured by the MFA that the same explanation was disseminated among Ukrainian Embassies abroad.

From our experience we can say that currently American short-term travelers are allowed to entry Ukraine without visa regardless of their previous trips to Ukraine provided that their purpose of travel is private, tourist, or business.  They can stay in Ukraine up to 90 days during a six-month period beginning with the date of their initial visa-free entry.

Hopefully, this information will be helpful.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have further questions.

Sincerely,

American Citizens Services Unit
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine
tel.: (+38 044) 490-4422"

[Jack]

cooool Wxman, thanks.

 

 

[wxman]

I think where the big problem came from is the 6 month rule. Some consulates stated no visa needed if stay is 90 days or less and last visit was less than 6 months ago. It should have said "no visa needed if stay is 90 days or less, and last VISA FREE visit was less than 6 months ago" as  stated by US embassy: 

They can stay in Ukraine up to 90 days during a six-month period beginning with the date of their initial visa-free entry.


 

[wxman]

I found this updated visa explanation on the San Francisco consulate page. It was updated July 28, 2005.

 

Please be informed that starting July 1, 2005 Ukraine sets visa free regime for U.S. citizens.
On June 30, 2005 President of Ukraine Victor Yuschenko signed the Decree #1008/2005 "On the Establishment of Visa-Free Regime for Citizens of the United States of America", which introduced visa-free regime of entry to Ukraine and transit through it territory for U.S. citizens who may stay in Ukraine without visas up to 90 days with at least six month intervals between visits.

[Michelangelo]

Dang... look at this other thread...

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/view_topic.php?id=735&forum_id=7&jump_to=14776#p14776

And I am going in two weeks without a visa!

Does anyone know of anyone who has entered Ukraine since this decree and who did so without a visa?

maybe the problem is with the airline flying you to Ukraine and not the people on the ground in Urkraine.  If so, I need to know what airline flew them in...

[Jack]

Michael, you will not need a visa.

I know it's looks crazy, one site says this, another site says that. But you will not need a visa, just go.

[RacerX]

EXCEPT if an airline denies you boarding you're screwed.  Might want to verify with the airline that they, and any connecting airlines understand the decree and/or have updated their computers.

[Jack]

All American airlines are allowing individuals to fly to Ukraine without visa.

[Michelangelo]

Yes, I will go  and in a worst case situation, I'll fly to Poland and drive in

[wxman]

Dang... look at this other thread...

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/view_topic.php?id=735&forum_id=7&jump_to=14776#p14776

And I am going in two weeks without a visa!

Does anyone know of anyone who has entered Ukraine since this decree and who did so without a visa?

maybe the problem is with the airline flying you to Ukraine and not the people on the ground in Urkraine. If so, I need to know what airline flew them in...

 

From the people I have talked to, it's certain  airlines, not the government of Ukraine, that has the problem. This guy had a problem on July 9th with Austrian airlines. Thats a month ago, and it was only 9 days after the decree went into effect. So perhaps it is much better by now.