IMPORTANT question about inbound Visas

[Kuna]

OK, this might seem like a last minute thing as I depart in 8 days BUT... I just received my Ukrainian Visa back today and they've spelt my name wrong.

My surname is a common Ukrainian surname and I know that many there spell it with a Z instead of the S we use here.  (The third letter that is).

My question... Am I going to hell when I hit the front of the immigration cue in Ukraine or should I risk returning my passport and visa to Canberra and just hope like hell that they get it back to me by Friday next week?

If I don't send it back to Canberra are they likely to reject me when I arrive at Borispol? 

Should I take a punt and use my charm to appeal to common sense or are they just going to turn me around and tell me to go home because their embassy made a mistake?

*GULP*

Is nothing about this journey ever easy?

Kuna

[I/O]

OK, this might seem like a last minute thing as I depart in 8 days BUT... I just received my Ukrainian Visa back today and they've spelt my name wrong.

My surname is a common Ukrainian surname and I know that many there spell it with a Z instead of the S we use here.  (The third letter that is).

My question... Am I going to hell when I hit the front of the immigration cue in Ukraine or should I risk returning my passport and visa to Canberra and just hope like hell that they get it back to me by Friday next week?

If I don't send it back to Canberra are they likely to reject me when I arrive at Borispol? 

Should I take a punt and use my charm to appeal to common sense or are they just going to turn me around and tell me to go home because their embassy made a mistake?

*GULP*

Is nothing about this journey ever easy?

Kuna

Don't think you have a choice now, because there is no way known you are going to get that turned around in 4 working days.  It just wont happen.  I cruised through several times with a mistake on mine also.  The Ukrainian consulate here doesn't seem to be able to get it right no matter what. 

It is highly doubtful if they will pick it up anyway.  The main thing to remember when arriving is to fill out both sections of the arrival card.  For a freshman it does look very much like you should fill only one to start with but it ain't the case.  Fill in both.  Be very surprised if you have a problem.  Look on the bright side.  What are they going to do?  Give you some free accomodation in the presidents motel? 

Have a couple of USD 50's handy and if you get carted off into the side room and told you have a "Big problem", tell them you have other ID and hand it to them with a 50 inside and it is funny how the big problem seems to disappear fairly quickly.  If you see them let the 50 drop on the floor, then you DO have a big problem.

Very doubtful if you will see any of this.  Most unlikely it will be picked up.

I/O

[ScottinCrimea]

They are used to seeing different spellings for different names and I've never known them to have a problem with it.  For example, my name is spelled differently in English, Russian and Ukrainian and my documents have some of each.  Never a problem.

[Turboguy]

I believe I read somewhere long ago that for America they allow one letter to be off without questioning it.  There are so many ways to change the spelling of a name a bit i think you will be just fine.   Don't worry about it.

[Kuna]

*deep breath*

OK, I'll do it!

Do you think it's worth paying the few extra dollars for the "VIP Service" at Borispol, especially because of the visa "thing"?

Maybe the "alternate ID with USD$50" will be simpler...

Kuna

[Admin]

*deep breath*

OK, I'll do it!

Do you think it's worth paying the few extra dollars for the "VIP Service" at Borispol, especially because of the visa "thing"?

Maybe the "alternate ID with USD$50" will be simpler...

Kuna

VIP will be about $100 now (used to be $50). It *may* make the travel a bit easier - though the ONLY time I was ever questioned about ANYTHING at Boryspil was when Olya and I were departing for the US the first time (2001), and they challenged her Polish stamps in her passport. The solution came when they suddenly, and sharply, recognized I understood what they were saying and told them, in Russian, to get it resolved NOW! They did.

Given your situation, I would probably go ahead and arrange for VIP entry. It would make me feel only slightly less vulnerable - but enough that it would be worth the fee.

FWIW

- Dan