Important information about visiting Ukraine

Winter is not a very good time to travel, but I believe this info surely will be useful for you if even you plan a trip to the Ukraine for the next spring or next summer.

So, a few really important advices for those who are going to take such trip!

Questions

Answers

Where to apply for visa?

Start first preperations two months at least before the date of leaving for a visit. The first things you have to take care of is Ukraine entering visa. You can receive it in the closest Embassy (consulate) of the Ukraine. If there is no Ukraine Embassy in your country apply for visa in any other country Ukraine Embassy is located in.

IN THE US ALL VISAS MAY BE APPLIED FOR AT:

the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York (240 East 49th Street, New York, NY 10017. Tel: 212-371-5690 Fax: 212-371-5547 web site: http://www.brama.com/ua-consulate) and the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago (10 East Huron St., Chicago, IL, 60611, tel.: 312/642 4388 fax: 312/ 642 4385 web site: http://www.ukrchicago.com).

VISA INFO FOR BRITS TRAVELLING TO UKRAINE.

The number for the visa section of the Ukrainian consulate is:
020 7246 8923 (from 3 to 5 pm).

Address:
Visa Section
Ukarine Consulate and Trade Mission
78 Kensington Park Road
London W11 2PL
Open from 9.30 to 12.30

If invitation is required?

Citizen of: USA, Canada and all European countries DO NOT need an invitation to apply for Ukraine entering visa.

Ukraine consulate located in England require a simple personal invitation (non official) from Ukrainian citizen, can be e-mailed.

Sitizen of all other countries DO NEED an official invitation.

Types of visa!

There are 3 types of visa you can apply for:

• Personal visit visa. Invitation can be received in OVIR - an Immigration Department by any Ukraine citizen. I don't know about other cities, but in Odessa it takes around 2 months for the letter of invitation to be proceeded. Maybe OVIR Deps in a smaller towns do it faster...

• Tourist visa, invitation for tourist visa application can be proceeded in a tourist companies that have a special license. We offer this kind of invitations as a part of our services.

• Business visa, invitation from any ligal Ukraine company is required. We offer this kind of invitations.

How to apply for visa?

Visas may be applied for at the most convenient Ukrainian Consular Office on the original visa application form, which can not be duplicated. Mail your request about the forms to the closest consulate, don't forget to enclose return envelope, otherwise you receive nothing! You will need also a passport photo, two separate moneyorders to the Ukrainian Embassy and a self addressed stamped envelope(SASE) to have it returned to you.

It takes from 1 business day to a month for your visa to be proceeded and the term depends of the fee you are agree to pay!

Very soon entrance to the Ukraine will be more than just simple if you visit Odessa: our Government is prepering the package of documents to set the new law: Europeans, Canadians and Americans will be able to get visas at the Odessa airport, the price is going to be not more than $50.00. IMPORTANT: only Odessa is involved into experiment and this law DOESN"T work yet. It is a project that is working out actively and I will inform you when it becomes legal (it's going to be ready for the next year to use).

Visa registration that was a bunch of troubles before was simplified on July 1st, 2001. There is no need to go through registration in OVIR now! You will receive a piece of paper with your data typed in Russian (your name, passport number, dates of your visit, etc.) and THIS PAPER IS YOUR REGISTRATION! Keep it carefully and have with you ALWAYS when you walk at the streets. It is the only one thing Police can require and you can have a real head ache if you don't have passport and this paper. My Canadian client was stopped recently and asked to pay $100.00 (yes, a bribe!) because he didn't have a passport with him.

Ukraine laws require that those who brings jewelry, electronics, computer staff HAS TO PAY MORE THAN 100% of the customs fee. Last May one of my clients honestly declared a diamond ring in his Customs decleration when entering the Ukraine and... was required to pay $3000.00 as a customs fee! PLEASE, be awared of this law and dial accordingly it so that you won't be stressed so much at the customs.

It was impossible to tell you everything about travel to the Ukraine, please, don’t hesitate to ask me any questions if you are going to take a trip here.

Finally I must admit that we provide all kinds of services for travellers : visa support, meeting at the airport, accommodation, interpreting, a car with a driver, and of course we introduce our beautiful, sincere, family oriented women with kind hearts and big giving souls .