living in Ukraine for six months to one year

[brad5959]

I am considering living in Ukraine for six months to one year.  is the paperwork to do this fairly easy or is it a hassle?  is it easy to come back to the USA?
I would like to hear from those who live there like ECocks and SJK.

thanks!!

[ECOCKS]

It's a hassle but doable.

What are you planning on doing for work and residence?

[brad5959]

I have a small regular income without needing to work and I would be living with the GF in her flat.  will probably just live with her for two to three months since there is no hassle.  she likes Ukraine and I have not spent enough time with her to convince her she should leave with me.  it was her suggestion that I should live in Ukraine with her.

[ECOCKS]

Then very doable.

The biggest hurdle is the 90/180 rule but you could easily do 3 months there, travel to Poland for a month or so, then return home and you go back to Ukraine a couple of months later.

[ECOCKS]

Drop by chat and we can do the Q&A interactively instead of through posts.

[Daveman]

Then very doable.

The biggest hurdle is the 90/180 rule but you could easily do 3 months there, travel to Poland for a month or so, then return home and you go back to Ukraine a couple of months later.

Yeah, if you're doing 3 months or less at a time, not a problem at all.  I've done this many times.  On the last trip, I went over the 90/180 rule by three days (stupid error in calculation), but was still able to leave the country without a hassle from Donetsk.. not sure if it would have been the same from Kiev or another city.

Living there year 'round is a different animal.  ECOCKS would be one who can give you more details there as he's done it. 

[fred3]

If you have a 5 year business visa does the 90/180 rule apply?
I got a 5 year business visa 4 years ago and it was very easy to get it, didnt ask for any busness related documents, just an applications, dont remember how much the fee was

[ECOCKS]

Yes.

[SMS60]

I have a small regular income without needing to work and I would be living with the GF in her flat.  will probably just live with her for two to three months since there is no hassle.  she likes Ukraine and I have not spent enough time with her to convince her she should leave with me.  it was her suggestion that I should live in Ukraine with her.

It pains me to read about men who put their life on hold to sit at the feet of women in the name of trying to win her heart or convince her your the one. It never works that way.

[ECOCKS]

Perhaps, but consider for a moment the person who is too busy in their pursuit of material possessions to invest the appropriate amount of time in their relationship.

Another thought is to consider which is the higher priority for YOU, job and career OR relationship and family.

If you have the capability to take a year or two off then take the chance and pursue your adventure whether it involves building housing in Thailand, finding your true love in Mongolia or opening a business in Ukraine. Go save a whale in Greenland or protest against the burning of the rainforests in the Congo if that is what will make you happy in your life.

Of course, if you are desperately trying to live out your fantasy in denial of reality and somehow MAKE something out of nothing that is a different matter.

It's cliche, but true, that few people are ever laying on their deathbed saying, "Damn! I should have worked harder and spent more time on my career deveopment."

[sjg-uk]

Hi Brad
Just seen your posting. Best advise I can say is - make sure you get your visa sorted out before you come. Don't rely on the 90 day one. Things are changing here and different areas have different rules and bribes !
When I first arrived I did the 90 day in/out thing. After using all my 180 days up I thought that I could get a visa when I was here from my local OVIR office - especially as I am now married to a Ukrainian. Well thats not the case and I still don't have a residence visa yet. Looks like I will need to do another Poland Embassy trip in a couple of months , as my current 6 month visa is due to expire and the local office willnot or cannot extend it - even by paying cash. The local Government office workers are getting worried about who is watching them here, so they are playing things by the book for now !
Other areas in Ukraine will be different.
I have spoken to a few Americans and Brits here and I think the Yanks find the process a little more ''American Friendly'' - for example , when I last got a 6 month visa in Poland , I paid $240 cash. They told me that if I had been American then I could have had a 12 month one for $180 !!   Uh ?? 

[fred3]

What is the 90/180 limit? I know you can stay up to 90 days, what is the 180? 180 days in one year

Go here: http://ukraine.visahq.com/
Click on Tourist visa OVER 90 days, so u can stay OVER 90 days, read the info
I think with single and double entry you can stay 180 days
With multiple entry you can stay 1825 days

[Boethius]

It pains me to read about men who put their life on hold to sit at the feet of women in the name of trying to win her heart or convince her your the one. It never works that way.

Two or three months out of a lifetime is nothing.

I get the impression brad is older, and I am assuming his woman is too.  Why would a woman who is probably hearing about economic troubles in the US, and an anti immigrant bias, whether perceived or actual, leave everything behind for a man with whom she hasn't spent considerable time?    

[ECOCKS]

What is the 90/180 limit? I know you can stay up to 90 days, what is the 180?

Go here: http://ukraine.visahq.com/
Click on Tourist visa OVER 90 days, so u can stay OVER 90 days, read the info, how long? I dont know, its just say OVER 90 days

Visas are permission to come and go during a period, not registration authorizing continuous stay. Read up on their laws and the differences between the two.

[ECOCKS]

Jump on www.expatua.com and ask them what they think about trying to stay in-country for more than 90 days with just your 5 year visa. Your info is out of date.

BTW, I suggest you don't say anything about looking for a relationship on that particular website, just ask what is needed to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days if you have a 5 year visa in your passport.

[brad5959]

It pains me to read about men who put their life on hold to sit at the feet of women in the name of trying to win her heart or convince her your the one. It never works that way.

as far as I can tell the marriages which last are the ones where the American or Brit or European man makes two or three trips back to Ukraine or Russia to see his lady friend.  I don't see it as putting my life on hold to visit someone I care about, I see it as moving my life forward.  so I guess it is just a point of view.  is the glass half empty or half full?

[kievstar]

Brad is doing the right thing here and smartest thing I have seen a man do on this board for a long time.

You may want to get to go to school part time to learn Russian or Ukrainian depending on what your GF's family speaks in the house.  You can get a visa relating to this education and do not have to leave.

Getting a visa is not very hard to do in Ukraine whether for school or work.  Many men like to tell people how hard it is but it is fairly simple. 

[Faux Pas]

Perhaps, but consider for a moment the person who is too busy in their pursuit of material possessions to invest the appropriate amount of time in their relationship.

Another thought is to consider which is the higher priority for YOU, job and career OR relationship and family.

If you have the capability to take a year or two off then take the chance and pursue your adventure whether it involves building housing in Thailand, finding your true love in Mongolia or opening a business in Ukraine. Go save a whale in Greenland or protest against the burning of the rainforests in the Congo if that is what will make you happy in your life.

Of course, if you are desperately trying to live out your fantasy in denial of reality and somehow MAKE something out of nothing that is a different matter.

It's cliche, but true, that few people are ever laying on their deathbed saying, "Damn! I should have worked harder and spent more time on my career deveopment."

All good points Ed. However, I suspect many guys in this pursuit are in the same boat as I. I've worked many years building a career. Doing so has afforded me the opportunity to meet and marry a RW. Working hard is something I have done all my life and quite frankly, I enjoy doing it. It is my dream that I can retire comfortably and enjoy the years I have left with my wife with some travel, golf, fishing and whatever else I can find to do.

Our jobs and careers are a means to an end. I won't be on my death bed saying I wish I had worked harder but I don't suspect there will be any regrets to the hard work I did during this lifetime. Sure like most everyone else I would like to be independently wealthy and do just as I please but, thats just not in the cards for most of us commoners.

[SMS60]

as far as I can tell the marriages which last are the ones where the American or Brit or European man makes two or three trips back to Ukraine or Russia to see his lady friend.  I don't see it as putting my life on hold to visit someone I care about, I see it as moving my life forward.  so I guess it is just a point of view.  is the glass half empty or half full?

Brad, I didnt want to sidetrack your topic about the logistics of living there but wanted you to at least stop and think.

The bottom line is your doing it for the wrong reasons. But this could be a topic for another thread or give permission to discuss it in this thread. I think there are many dynamics at work which you are not thinking about.

[kievstar]

SMS, spending time with one RW to see if she is the right one is the wrong reason?  Can you explain yourself.

[SMS60]

 she likes Ukraine and I have not spent enough time with her to convince her she should leave with me.  it was her suggestion that I should live in Ukraine with her.

See above.  

He already thinks she is the one but she has doubts. She dont want to leave. He must be the "ultra nice guy" to convince her. His description not mine. This involves all the "nice guy" manipulations to show how great he is. He becomes the submisive partner. Most women hate this. They lose respect for the man.

I could go on and on of why this is a bad idea.

The man builds the kingdom and the women becomes part of it. Not vice versa.

[ECOCKS]

FP, my point is that it's an individual decision as to priorities and what's important in THEIR life. Certainly you are free to determine which is the higher priority in your life, a long term, long relationship with a true partner/soulmate (whatever, don't gag just painting the picture here) OR your golden years of retirement spent with idyllic moments floating on the lake in your bass boat trying to out-think Old Grandpa bigmouth.

Once you make your determination as to relative importance, allocate your priorities according to YOUR beliefs and perceived importance.

I could say much the same thing about how foolish I regard those who take 2 month long adventure vacation expeditions into the Brazilian rainforest to be hot, sweaty and risk bites from infectious insect and critters versus taking three or four short one-week vacations to Cabo, Diamond Head, the Grand Canyon or Hilton Head. These are only my opinions which are all fine and dandy FOR ME, but don't fit others personalities, morality, political motivation or love for expedition-style vacations.

LDS members take a year for going on mission, some join the Peace Corps for a few years to assist developing countries, some take a year off and take their sailboat around the world, others quit work and return to school for another degree, some....go bass fishing.

While I have reservations about some people who do this in an effort to "wear her down or make her see how much I love her" there's nothing inherently wrong with taking this path to get to know a person (possible future spouse), their culture, language and personality better.

Maybe he'll win her, maybe it isn't meant to be, but if he's comfortable going over and staying there for three months, six months or a year (or three years) and feels he's able to afford it, enjoy it and take the risk, then that's his business. Maybe to him there is no impact on his career that is that important to be concerned about during this period.

All good points Ed. However, I suspect many guys in this pursuit are in the same boat as I. I've worked many years building a career. Doing so has afforded me the opportunity to meet and marry a RW. Working hard is something I have done all my life and quite frankly, I enjoy doing it. It is my dream that I can retire comfortably and enjoy the years I have left with my wife with some travel, golf, fishing and whatever else I can find to do.

Our jobs and careers are a means to an end. I won't be on my death bed saying I wish I had worked harder but I don't suspect there will be any regrets to the hard work I did during this lifetime. Sure like most everyone else I would like to be independently wealthy and do just as I please but, thats just not in the cards for most of us commoners.

[ECOCKS]

For those wishing to do it legally, you really need to check the law and the changes implemented by the new administration since April, 2010. It isn't as simple as it used to be.

[Daveman]

See above.  

He already thinks she is the one but she has doubts. She dont want to leave. He must be the "ultra nice guy" to convince her. His description not mine. This involves all the "nice guy" manipulations to show how great he is. He becomes the submisive partner. Most women hate this. They lose respect for the man.

I could go on and on of why this is a bad idea.

The man builds the kingdom and the women becomes part of it. Not vice versa.

IF that is indeed his attitude, and IF he does become the submissive partner, and then I agree that women tend to hate that.

Nothing inherently wrong with going over for extended visits to see if there is compatibility, or living there long term to find the right girl... all part of life choices.

[Faux Pas]

Ed, perhaps it didn't come off right but I was agreeing with you only to add the situation of us commoners. I always envied guys who could spend months at a time with their women in the FSU. That was never an option for me unless I wanted to seek new employment upon my return. Thats not something I would wish to do