PASSPORT CONTROL

Passport control

Passport control in Ukraine

Railway, motor traffic, oversea, riverine, ferry, air and other ways of transportation across the state frontier of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as «frontier») are allowed solely at checkpoints. The checkpoints are subdivided into: international (for admission of citizens and transportation facilities of all countries); interstate (for admission of citizens of Ukraine and of the adjacent countries, and also means of transport belonging to them); local (for simplified admission of citizens of Ukraine and of a contiguous country, residing in the borderland provinces (districts), and also means of transport belonging to them.

Admittance of persons crossing the frontier is performed by the Frontier Troops of Ukraine according to valid documents for the right of entry to the territory of Ukraine and the right of departure from the territory of Ukraine. Handling of transport means, freight, goods (items) and other property across the frontier is performed in conformity with the active legislation and the international agreements of Ukraine.

When crossing the frontier citizens shall pass the passport control and their documents and grounds for the right of entry to Ukraine or departure from Ukraine shall be checked; inspection of transport means, freight, goods (items) and other property shall be carried out. The Passport control shall be performed:

When entering Ukraine - prior to other kinds of control;

When departing from Ukraine - after all required kinds of control.

Upon completion of the inspection by the officer of the checkpoint, the stamp with the appropriate note «Entry» or «Departure», and also with other necessary notes, shall be affixed in the citizen's passport, and the passport (or other document) shall be returned to the citizen.

Frontier crossing procedure for foreign citizens and stateless persons

Foreign citizens and stateless persons ( hereinafter referred to as «foreigners») shall enter Ukraine, depart from Ukraine, and travel in transit via its territory according to national passports with the appropriate Ukrainian visas, unless otherwise provided for by the international agreements and standard acts of the Ukrainian government.

Visas shall be issued only at diplomatic and consular offices abroad. Citizens of the countries, where there are no diplomatic and consular offices of Ukraine, shall receive visas in any other neighboring country, where there are such offices.

Travel in transit by foreigners via the Ukrainian territory shall be allowed subject to availability of a transit Ukrainian visa, visa of the country of destination, and other documents, confirming the travel in transit. A travel shall be considered transit when the period of stay in Ukraine is within the time designated in the travel document, and in case of the ticket's absence, within the time required for actual transit of the Ukraine's territory by the corresponding transportation means, in case of emergency stop by the foreigner on the territory of Ukraine in connection with extraordinary circumstances (illness, repair of the transportation means, etc.), the term of stay may be prolonged by the local internal affairs department (police) at the stopping place. Transit travel by motor vehicle shall be allowed only by highways of the category «M» or «A».

If a foreigner loses his national passport on the territory of Ukraine he should immediately inform the host side and report to the internal affairs department (police), which shall issue him a relevant certificate. In that case the foreigner shall depart from the territory of Ukraine according to the national passport, obtained at the consular office of the appropriate country in Ukraine, and after obtaining an exit visa, unless non-visa exit shall be provided for by the international agreements of Ukraine.

EN-US'>Citizens of the countries, with which Ukraine has signed international agreements on mutual visa-free trips for citizens (with the exception of citizens of the CIS countries), shall enter Ukraine according to valid national passports, subject to availability of the insurance policy and duly prepared invitation (in the original) from legal entities or individuals in Ukraine, unless otherwise provided for by the international agreements.

Foreigners and stateless persons from other states shall enter Ukraine, depart from Ukraine, and travel in transit via its territory according to appropriate Ukrainian visas, unless otherwise provided for by the active legislation and the international agreements of Ukraine.

No visas are required for citizens of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Mongolia, Yugoslavia (except Slovenia).

No invitation letters are necessary for US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Slovakia and Turkey citizens and citizens of the countries of the European Union for obtaining official, business, private and cultural and sports visas.

Fulfillment of the legal requirements of the official of the frontier troops of Ukraine and representatives of other control departments at the frontier checkpoints shall be binding for all citizens, crossing the frontier. Persons, found guilty of violating (or attempting to violate) the frontier, or breaching the passport control regulations and the frontier procedure at the frontier checkpoints, as well as of illegal handling (or attempt of handling) of freight, goods or other items across the frontier, or in other cases of offence against the current Ukrainian law on the frontier, shall bear administrative, criminal or other liability in accordance with the active legislation of Ukraine.

As an administrative punishment a citizen may be detained for the period of no more than three hours with mandatory protocol preparation, and in case of the passport's withdrawal the citizen shall be issued a certificate. When detaining a foreigner for a period of more than three hours, the relevant embassy (consulate) shall be officially notified.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRAVELER TO OBTAIN VISAS, WHERE REQUIRED, FROM THE APPROPRIATE EMBASSY OR NEAREST CONSULATE OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE PLANNING TO VISIT.As soon as you receive your visa, check it to make sure no mistakes were made.Processing and visa fees vary, and most fees may not be refundable, consult the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit for specific details.

RUSSIA - Passport and visa required. Business visa requires 1 application, 3 photos, cover letter from your company, and letter of an official invitation from an authorized Russian counterpart and visa processing fee. Transit visas required when traveling through Russia, even if you remain on the plane. HIV test certificate required for anyone staying over 3 months.

UKRAINE - Passport and visa required. Visa requires 1 form, 1 photo, a letter of invitation, and a fee, depending upon whether you apply for a single, double or multiple entry visa. Transit visa requires onward/return ticket. All foreigners visiting Ukraine (except those staying less than three days or minors under age 18) must register their passports with the local law enforcement authorities. Anyone applying for a visa for a stay of 3 months or longer is required to present a certificate showing that they are HIV negative.