Visiting Ukraine

• The United States of America
• Canada
• European Union (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom)
• The Swiss Confederation
• Principality of Liechtenstein
• Principality of Andorra
• The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
• Republic of Iceland
• Principality of Monaco
• Kingdom of Norway
• Republic of San Marino
• Japan

Visas are still required for the citizens who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days.

Any requests for extension of stay due to extenuating circumstances should be directed to the Ministry of Interior's Department of Citizenship, Immigration and Registration (formerly known as OVIR). Extensions are not automatic, however, and are valid only for continued presence in the country. It is not possible to depart from Ukraine and return on the extension, nor can an adjustment to visa status be made from within Ukraine.

Visa fees: please refer here.

The citizens who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days visas must apply to diplomatic or consular missions of Ukraine. Embassies, Consular sections and missions of Ukraine abroad www.euro.org.ua.

No letter of invitation is required for opening such visas as: S(Service), B(business), S(scientific), C(cultural or sports exchange), P(private) - with citizens of EU member states, Canada, USA, Turkey, Switzerland and Japan.

Citizens of EU member states, Canada, USA, Republic of Turkey, Swiss Confederation, and Japan that enter Ukraine for tourist purpose can obtain a permit to enter Ukraine in consular posts at the international airports of Simferopil' and Odessa, at Odesa trade seaport for the period of 14 days under condition they provide the documents that prove the tourist nature of the visit.

The citizens of the countries, that Ukraine has signed international agreements on visa free traveling with, enter and exit Ukraine without requiring a visa but on documents valid for going beyond country borders but with available insurance policy and a properly developed and signed letter of invitation original copy issued by a legal or private entity from Ukraine, unless otherwise provided by international agreements signed by Ukraine. In other occasions the Government of Ukraine does not issue visas at the point of entry into Ukraine. Travelers whose purpose of travel puts them in a category that requires a visa must obtain the correct Ukrainian visa prior to arrival, otherwise they will be turned back to the United States or will have to travel to another European country to obtain a visa.

Visas may be obtained from the Consular Office of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C. or from Ukrainian Consulates General in New York, Chicago or San Francisco. For additional information about Ukrainian visas and related policy, please contact the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

Embassy of Ukraine
3350 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 333-0606
Fax: (202) 333-0817
Web site: www.ukraineinfo.us

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: www.ukrconsul.org

Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco
530 Bush Street, suite 402
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: (415) 398-0240
Fax: (415) 398-5039
Web site: www.Ukrainesf.com

Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago
10 East Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: (312) 642 4388
Fax: (312) 642 4385
Web site: www.ukrchicago.com

Please check your visa carefully upon receipt and pay a careful attention to validity dates. Each traveler is responsible for understanding the type of visa issued and the provisions of the visa. Frequently, American citizens are refused entry to Ukraine because they thought they possessed a multiple entry visa, but in fact their visa was valid for only a single entry.

Travelers who intend to visit Russia from Ukraine must also have a Russian visa. The Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Ukraine is located at Prospekt Kutuzova 8, tel.: (380-44) 294-7797 or 294-6816.

Visit the Embassy of Ukraine web site at www.ukraineinfo.us for the most current visa information. Also see Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official web portal at www.ukraineinfo.org.

Exchanging U.S. dollars into the national Ukrainian currency hryvnya is simple and unproblematic, as licensed exchange booths are widespread, and exchange rates are normally clearly advertised. Exchanging U.S. dollars into Ukrainian currency or other currencies is legal only at banks, currency exchange desks at hotels, and licensed exchange booths; anyone caught dealing on the black market can expect to be detained by the local militia.

There are many banks and licensed currency exchange booths located in major cities. ATMs (a.k.a. Bankomats) are becoming available throughout Ukraine. Most ATMs disperse cash only in the local currency hryvnya but there are ones giving out US dollars. Please consult your bank to obtain a list of relevant partner banks in Ukraine with ATMs giving out dollars. The difficulties of a currency shortage can be avoided by coming to Ukraine with a sufficient supply of hard currency to cover necessary obligations during travel. Funds may be transferred by wire, advances may be drawn on credit cards and travelers checks may be cashed at many locations.

The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

There are no hospitals in Ukraine that provide a level of medical care exact to that found in American hospitals. Remember, that American health insurance plans for payment do not cover Ukraine. Yet, in Ukraine basic medical services provided by state clinics and hospitals are free. Basic medical supplies are available and require no prescription; however, travelers requiring prescription medicine or specific one should bring their own. When a patient is hospitalized to a state hospital, the patient, relative, or acquaintance must supply bandages, medication, and food. If hospitalized to a private clinic, only fixed (or varied) payment is made to cover medial and care services. The level of these clinics is high and decent. As the most vivid example can serve a case of late Sir Robert Sheckley, the well known and beloved in Ukraine American science fiction writer, who came to Ukraine in order to take part in a congress of world-famous science fiction writers. Sir Sheckley has lost his medical insurance and could not afford to pay for health care himself but thanks to assistance of the congress organizers he was hospitalized to a private hospital in Kyiv which he then ranked extremely high both for the medical assistance and personal care.

Anyway, hotels regularly have physicians in their staff or have contracts with ones to provide medical assistance to their lodgers.

If you still require western medical care the medical evacuation remains the best way to secure it, as recommended by Department of State. This option, however, is very expensive and could take at least several hours to arrange. Travelers may wish to purchase medical evacuation insurance prior to travel, or have access to substantial lines of credit to cover the cost of medical evacuation. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy has information on various air ambulance companies that perform medical evacuations to Europe or to the U.S. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to other European countries can cost from $25,000 to $50,000, and to the U.S. as much as $70,000 or more. More information can be found on the U.S. Embassy's website in a separate document "Medical Services in Kiev" at usembassy.kiev.ua.

The Ukrainian parliament passed a law in 1997 whereby all visitors to Ukraine are required to obtain mandatory health insurance from the state joint-stock insurance company, Ukrinmedstrakh. According to the information from the Ukrainian authorities the cost of this medical insurance depends on the anticipated length of a foreigner's stay in Ukraine. The cost for the insurance is approximately 25 cents per day (more for short stays). More information can be found on U.S. Embassy's web site in a separate document, "Medical Insurance in Ukraine for Emergency Care" available at usembassy.kiev.ua. This required insurance covers only the costs of basic medical care inside Ukraine and does not cover medical evacuation.

>While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Ukraine is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Generally, roads in Ukraine outside major urban areas are not in excellent condition and poorly lit. Visitors are recommended to drive defensively at all times, since national driving manner may vary significantly from their own style. Driving style in Ukraine is rather aggressive if compared to European one but much more polite than that of Moscow. There are certain traditions on the road like: the right-hand lane (within the same way) is for city or slow-moving traffic; the middle one (if any) is for maneuver; and the left-hand one is for speedy cars and maneuver. It is an unwritten rule to give way to speedy cars like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus etc. Generally, there are very many luxury cars in Ukraine.

Pedestrians must always stay alert to orient oneself well in the current situation. Generally, drivers make way to pedestrians at clearly marked pedestrian crossings. Yet, a pedestrian must always control the situation and maneuver adequately. Pedestrians should also be aware of cars driving or attempting to park on sidewalks. Many cars do not meet the safety standards common in America.

It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington or one of Ukraine's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. As in many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Ukrainian law requires that travelers declare all cash and jewelry, regardless of value, upon entering Ukraine. Travelers should fill out a customs declaration and ask customs officials to stamp it. According to Ukrainian law, foreign citizens may bring up to $10,000 in cash or up to $50,000 in travelers' checks into Ukraine without a special license. A traveler must declare the cash or checks. If customs officials determine that a traveler entering or exiting the country has undeclared cash on him or her, they can and often do confiscate the undeclared funds. When leaving the country, foreign travelers are only allowed to take out a maximum of $1,000 in cash or as much cash as they declared upon their entry into Ukraine. If a traveler wants to take out more than $1,000, the traveler must have a customs declaration proving that he or she in fact brought the corresponding sum of money into the country.

Travelers desiring to bring more than $10,000 into Ukraine must obtain a special license AFTER entering the country. Details for obtaining this license are available on the Embassy's web site in a separate document "Ukrainian Customs Procedures for Transporting Currencies, Monetary Instruments, or Precious Metals" at usembassy.kiev.ua. Ukraine has strict limitations for the export of antiques and other goods and artifacts deemed to be of particularly important historical or cultural value. This includes any items produced before 1950.

Ukrainian Postal laws prohibit mailing of passports or other IDs across Ukrainian borders via regular mail as well as via courier mail (FedEx, DHL, etc.)

It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington or one of Ukraine's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our information on customs regulations at travel.state.gov.

Persons violating Ukrainian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ukraine are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

For more information visit travel.state.gov.

Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at #6 Mykola Pymonenko St., 01901 Kiev, Ukraine. Telephone: (38-044) 490-4422, fax 236-4892. The Embassy is located at #10 Yuriy Kotsyubynsky St. 01901 Kiev, Ukraine. Tel.: (38-044) 490-4000.

You can find out about the weather in Ukraine at this site or here.