Let me start by saying that I've traveled to Ukraine quite a number of times these past few years. In the past, I've always used and recommended the services of a travel specialist such as RJ's Tours (a frequent poster on another board) and Scope Travel. Based on recent changes (05 May 2000) in Ukraine's visa regulations which relaxed the formal invitation requirement for *some* types of visas, I decided to acquire my own visa for my travels. I have also provided coaching to others how to do this and all, so far, have been successful.
There are probably only 3 types of visas the readership of this board needs to be concerned about - Tourist, Private, and Business. Here are a couple of important facts to be considered:
* Invitations. Ukraine no longer requires invitations for Private or Business visas. Formal invitations *are still* required for Tourist visas, however. This applies to citizens of North America, the EU and Japan. Citizens of other countries should check with the Ukrainian Embassy in their locales to confirm requirements.
* Both Tourist and Private visas are issued for a maximum term of validity of 6 months. A Business visa may be issued for a maximum term of 5 years, but are more commonly issued for shorter (1- or 2-year terms), at the discretion of the Consulate/Embassy issuing the visa.
* Another option for those with children born of the marriage (or adopted) to a Ukrainian citizen is to apply for a P-2 visa for the child. The P-2 visa is granted to those with "Ukrainian background," and a child born to a Ukrainian citizen qualifies for this type visa. The P-2 visa is like a Private visa, except that it has a maximum validity period of 5 years. Like the Business visa, the Consular office decides the length of term of the visa and it may not be 5 years if they choose a lesser term. BE SURE TO ASK FOR 5-YEAR VISA ON THE APPLICATION.
Now, the step-by-step process for acquiring a Private visa is as follows:
1 - I use the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago. There are others, but this is the one I chose. Send a self-addressed and stamped envelope along with a letter requesting an original visa application form to:
Consulate General of Ukraine
10 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
http://www.ukrchicago.comAdditional Consular Offices:
Consulate General of Ukraine in New York
240 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017
http://www.ukrconsul.orgEmbassy of Ukraine
3350 M St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
http://www.ukraineinfo.us And the newest Consul Post:
Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco
530 Bush Street, suite 402,
San Francisco, CA 94108
http://www.UkraineSF.comYou must have an original application form. They no longer accept faxes or copies of the originals.
**UPDATE** You may now use a downloaded form. The form is found at this link --
http://www.ukraineinfo.us/consular/docs/visa.pdf.
2 - Once you receive the form, complete all the sections. Your biggest problem will probably be to decide if you are applying for a Tourist visa or a Private visa. With recent changes in Ukraine's visa laws, it is easier to obtain a Private visa, so that is what I suggest. To make this request, simply insure that section 15 of the application (Purpose of Your Journey) states: "To visit friends and relatives" - and you will need to supply a name and address for a local person in section 20 (Private Person Who Invites). Not to worry about the Consulate checking with them or anything - they do not. Prior to May 5 of 2000, you needed a formal invitation. Now, simply writing a name and address suffices.
Contact me by e-mail if you need help on this point.
2a - Notes for completion each section of the Application:
Section 1 - Surname - write it exactly as it appears in your passport
Section 2 - Full Name - First name only - write it exactly as it appears in your passport
Section 3 - Other Names or Surnames - Middle name - write it exactly as it appears in your passport
Section 4 - Date of Birth - self-explanatory
Section 5 - Sex - self-explanatory
Section 6 - Nationality - country of your citizenship (ex. USA)
Section 7 - Social Security Number - self-explanatory
Section 8 - Address of Permanent Residence - self-explanatory
Section 9 - Passport Details - write it exactly as it appears in your passport
Section 10 - Marital Status - self-explanatory
Section 11 - Infectious Diseases - asks for active infections
Section 12 - Criminal Offenses - don't worry about traffic/minor offenses - only major or felony offenses
Section 13 - Ever Been Prohibited/Limited from Entry into Ukraine - self-explanatory
Section 14 - Ever Been Deported/Removed from Ukraine - self-explanatory
Section 15 - Purpose of Your Journey - (ex. "Visit family and friends" - for Private visa)
Section 16 - Duration of Stay in Ukraine - must be less than 6 months for Private/Tourist visa
Section 17 - Date of Proposed Entry to Ukraine - be sure to state an exact date that is clearly in advance of the date you plan to arrive in Ukraine. Do NOT state a range of dates. Your visa will not be valid until this date, so it is extremely important that you indicate a date that is earlier than your earliest possible date of travel.
Section 18 - Point of Entry to Ukraine - self-explanatory (ex. "Kyiv" or "Odesa" or . . .)
Section 19 - Means of Transport for Entry to Ukraine - usually an airline company such as "Austrian Airlines" or "Lufthansa"
Section 20 - Name and Address of Organization/Person Which/Who Invites - for Business visa, identify the primary business you will work with - for Private visa, identify the person you will spend time with. The Consulate does NOT check out the validity of the address, nor do they check with the people/entity named on the application. Prior to May 2000, it was required to supply an official invitation for all visa types. Now, it is NOT necessary to supply the invitation for Private or Business visas, *but* it remains a requirement for a Tourist visa.
Section 21 - Cities in Ukraine you Intend to Visit - self-explanatory. Note: this information does NOT limit your travels once within the country. Present laws allow you to travel wherever you wish.
Section 22 - Address of Temporary Residence in Ukraine - can be a friend's address (Private visa), or can be a hotel.
Section 23 - In Case of Need Who Will Give Financial Support - can be your friend's name (Private visa), can be your company or the company that invites you (Business visa).
Section 24 - Children Under 16 Included on Your Passport that Will Travel With You - If your child travels on their own passport, you do not need to complete this section. Many countries (Ukraine is one of them) do not require children under the age of 16 to have their own international passport, they are listed in the passport of one, or both, of their parents. The US, however, issues separate passports from children from birth, hence, if your child was born in the US and travels on a US passport, they do not need to be listed in this section of the application.
Section 25 - Date of Last Visit to Ukraine - self-explanatory
Section 26 - Visa Requested for [Single/Double/Multiple] Entry - self-explanatory
Sections 27 through 31 are **only** for those seeking Transit visas
Section 27 - Country of Destination
Section 28 - Means of Transport to Point of Departure from Ukraine
Section 29 - Entry Clearance for Destination Y/N
Section 30 - Place of Proposed Departure from Ukraine to Destination
Section 31 - Date of Proposed Departure from Ukraine
Section 32 - Additional Information - it is a good idea to EXPLICITLY state your desires for the duration of the visa. Example - "Please issue a Private visa that is valid for 6 months" or "Please issue a multiple-entry Business visa that is valid for 5 years".
"Place of Submission" is the Consular office which will receive your application.
3 - Assuming you are applying for a Private (also called 'Home-Stay') visa, you will need to send a completed package to the Consulate with the following items:
* completed application form.
* passport
* one passport-sized photo
* money order in the appropriate amount - (no personal checks or cash).
* self-addressed and stamped envelope (so they can return your passport with the visa stamp). USPS only. If you want expedited services, include a USPS Express Mail envelope.
That is all.
As for fees, there is a fee of $100 to process a regular visa application (9-day processing), and $200 for expedited processing (3-day processing). There are 2 other variables. Will you wish to enter Ukraine more than once during the 6-month term of the visa? If so - you need a double-entry visa. The other variable is - how quickly do you need the visa processed? Here are the fees for Private and Tourist visas:
Regular (9-days) Single-entry: $ Included in fee of $100
Expedited (3-days) Single-entry: $ Included in fee of $200
Regular (9-days) Double-entry: $10
Expedited (3-days) Double-entry: $20
Regular (9-day) Multiple-entry: $65
Expedited (1-day) Multiple-entry: $130
P-2 Type Visa: $10
For most people, the range of total costs for is from $100 to $230.
Keep in mind the processing time is all in Business Days and the Consulate works fewer days than most. My experience is that 9 Business Days equals 3 full weeks and that was with using courier (UPS) service for delivery of documents in both directions.
**2004 Update: Ukraine consular offices now ONLY accept applications using USPS (United States Postal Service) envelopes. If you wish to expedite matters, you will need to send the application package to the office using USPS Express mail (approximately $13 USD). Be sure to ALSO purchase, and include in the application package, a second USPS Express Mail package that returns the passport to you.
A final point, the Tourist visa is *really* what most travelers would normally request. Unfortunately, Ukraine continues to create barriers to tourism by requiring that all applications for Tourist visas be accompanied with a formal invitation from the hotel where the traveler intends to stay. If you choose to go the route of the Tourist visa, I can suggest a couple of travel agents that deal specifically with Ukraine and can help you.
I hope this helps.
- Dan
