New Ukraine policy guy's, be advised.

[Jack]

Guy's their is a new Ukraine policy that has just gone into effect. 

In the past I have written that the only city we need to carry our passport with us was in Kiev.  By Ukraine law all foreigners must carry their passport with them at all times.  But no city in Ukraine do police confront you and ask for your "documents" other than Kiev.  With so many foreign men going to Kiev this is a healthy part of the average downtown, in the center, patrolman's income.   If you are stopped by a Kiev policeman and you do not have your passport their is a very high chance you are going to have to pay something with about $50 being the minimum although they will start out asking for more.

Well, about 10 day's ago one of the guy's on tour mentioned he had to show his passport in order to exchange dollars for grivnas. We were in Lugansk at the time. He did not have his passport, went to another place, they asked for passport, he went to another place, no problem.  Then I heard the same from another guy in Lugansk and from another guy the same while in Dnepropetrovsk. 

In Dnepropetrovsk I need to exchange some dollars for grivnas and went to a bank close to my flat in European Square.  Before leaving the flat I thought I should bring my passport just in case.  Sure enough, for the first time in a loooooong time, I was asked for my passport and luckily had it on me.  No problem in exchanging money.   In Kiev the last two times I have gone to exchange dollars for grivnas, at these little places on the corner of streets, not at a bank, they are asking for passports.

Seems Yanacrookvich is wanting to see who is exchanging money. 

So guy's, in Kiev, without a question, you must have your passport on you when you are out walking about and most police will not accept a copy of your passport, as they want to see the stamp as to when you entered the country, but now guys it looks as though many places in cities through out Ukraine are not going to let you exchange money without your passport.   I think there will always be places that will exchange money without passport, a fella I know in Kiev told me "no problem" he knows a place but I just as soon exchange in normal places.

[Kineo]

I wish I had found this post before I went to Dnepropetrovsk. Oh well...
 

[calmissile]

My experience also in the little town of Primorsk, but only going to a teller.  Thank God for the ATM's. No problem!  Also, the guy on the steet in front of the bank seemed to care less.  In any case it's probably a good idea to always have it with you.

I am curious to how you are approached to pay off the cop if you don't have the passport.  I can't recall anyone explaining exactly how you are approached.  In the US you are likely to end up in jail trying to 'bribe' a cop.  Do they speak English and how do they convey the messsage that you need to pay them?

[Vinnvinny]

I am curious to how you are approached to pay off the cop if you don't have the passport.  I can't recall anyone explaining exactly how you are approached.  In the US you are likely to end up in jail trying to 'bribe' a cop.  Do they speak English and how do they convey the messsage that you need to pay them?

Speaking from personal experience in Kiev (it's always Kiev or Kharkov airport) and even having my passport with me, the issue of how you approach a bribe is not one you need to worry about. The friendly Policeman will soon make your options known to you with words such as 'a present' or 'come with me for a coffee'. 

[Patagonie]

I'm actually in Ukraine and i can confirm you that now you need everytime your passport to change money. And it is the same for local citizens, new rules since few weeks. I repeat for newbies here : have always :
your passport
cash
credit card for urgency
mininum one telephone with you
and if possible and usb key with all your data.

Even in summer by 38 degres i have this with me
Pat

[calmissile]

Ditto,
Especially all the photos you have taken and passwords to accounts you might need access to.
I bought some kind of a USB device specifically for securing info in case of emergeny.
Included all important phone numbers and account passwords.  It didnt cost very much but I assume some guy on the street wouldn't have access to the info.