Operating Checkpoints on the Border of Ukraine with Russia 2021

Today's relations between Russia and Ukraine

Since 2014, relations between Ukraine and Russia have become strained. This was largely due to the simultaneous development of several political and geopolitical factors. Surely this is what caused the emergence of a conflict situation in the East of the country and the formation of new stumbling blocks with the Russian Federation. Difficult political relations between states, the ambiguous status of certain regions of the country, the presence of military confrontations between groups with different views on the political system create grounds for limiting some contacts between countries. The results and decisions of the negotiation process most often do not contribute to the resolution of the conflict, but aggravate the situation.

As for migration changes, at the moment the agreement on a visa-free regime continues to operate between the states (although unofficial sources claim that there is a possibility of the agreement being cancelled). For now, all citizens of the Russian Federation, after collecting a minimum of documents and successfully passing border control, can freely cross the border with Ukraine. The exception is some cultural figures, politicians, and business people who, in the opinion of the Security Service of Ukraine, pose a threat to the sovereignty and national security of the country and interfere in the internal affairs of the state.

Features of customs control

Customs control provides for a set of measures taken to comply with customs legislation and border crossing procedures. This includes checking documents, oral questioning, inspection of goods, belongings, vehicle registration, etc. Customs officers must be guided exclusively by the Customs Code of Ukraine (CC), regulations on customs matters, and the provisions of international treaties. The following are carried out at the border (the type of check depends on the situation, quantity and type of goods, transport):

checking the documents of a citizen entering the country;
customs inspection (inspection of transport, goods, personal inspection);
control of reporting and accounting of goods transported across the border, timely payment of taxes and fees;
oral survey of citizens and officials.

When carrying out customs activities, regulatory authorities are authorized to independently choose the forms and scope of control within the framework of current legislation and in accordance with the provisions of international treaties. The maximum period for keeping goods and commercial vehicles under customs control is 180 calendar days (except for those things that are placed under the customs regime, which provides for their storage for the entire period of validity).

Who is prohibited from entering Ukraine from Russia?

In 2015, by the Decree of the President of Ukraine “On the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated September 2, 2015 - On the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)”, a ban on crossing the border by some Russian citizens was introduced. From time to time, the Security Service of Ukraine approves a number of new resolutions on lists of persons who are prohibited from entering Ukraine. You can familiarize yourself with the documents and see the full list of individuals and legal entities who will not be able to enter the country on the official website of the Internet representative office of the President of Ukraine or other state portals. The latest changes to the list were legalized in May 2021. According to new data, entry into the territory of Ukraine and activities on its territory are prohibited for 1,228 individuals (the list includes cultural figures, politicians, businessmen) and 468 legal entities. The duration of the ban is from 1 to 3 years. Ordinary citizens of Russia who do not publicly and systematically show a position that the SBU may regard as threatening national security are allowed to enter the country. If you have the appropriate documents, you will be able to visit relatives, friends, travel, and resolve business issues without any problems or unnecessary inconvenience.

See also: Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation - how to change a document if it is unusable?

Crossing border areas to visit Ukraine and Russia

After strict quarantine measures began to be gradually relaxed on the territory of the Russian Federation, Ukrainian migrants got ready to travel again, but now they have to face new obstacles. One of the most important concerns the need to acquire foreign passports for all citizens of Ukraine who plan to visit Russia.

An equally significant complication concerns the entry ban, which was implemented back in March. The decree applies to all foreign citizens, and not just Ukrainians, so here migrants are equal before the letter of the law.

Crossing the border is allowed only in a number of exceptional cases:

availability of the right to permanent residence in the Russian Federation;
transportation of cargo along an international route;
transit for aircraft passengers;
diplomatic mission;
funeral procession.

While Moscow is discussing options for establishing international tourism by air, experts remind that existing restrictions have undergone minor changes.

How to enter Ukraine from Russia today?

Entry with a civil passport for Russians was prohibited in March 2015. To now cross the border of Ukraine, you need to obtain a foreign passport, but you do not need to open a visa. To successfully enter the country, you must prepare an international document proving your identity outside your home country, and, if necessary, additional papers. Residents of border zones will be able to cross the border only through international and interstate checkpoints.

Without obtaining a special permit, you can stay in Ukraine for 90 days within six months from the date of first entry (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 15, 2012 No. 150). You will be able to visit the country again only after 3 months. Those who need more time will have to apply for a certain type of visa or a certificate of temporary residence (to do this, you need to write an application at the territorial department of the State Migration Service, collect a package of papers and pay the state fee, administrative fee and the cost of the form).

In connection with changes in the border control procedure at checkpoints, which are determined by the intention to prevent possible provocations, it is important to remember some features of the entry of Russians into the territory of Ukraine:

documents are checked more carefully and the behavior of men with strong physiques is analyzed, especially if groups cross the border (except for service personnel of foreign transport);
In addition to a foreign passport, they almost always require confirmation of the purpose of the trip (invitation from an individual or legal entity, hotel reservation, tourist voucher, real estate documents, etc.).

The final decision regarding the entry of a Russian citizen into the territory of Ukraine is made after passing the second line border control. But this can only be done by an authorized official, if necessary - with a mandatory and clear indication of the legitimate reasons for the refusal.

Difficulties arising from the closed Ukrainian-Russian border

A huge number of people who want to cross the checkpoint in both directions plan to do this even not as part of visiting family members or for tourism purposes. People are already ready to return to their previous work schedule, and for this they need to go to work in neighboring countries.

According to data received from the Federation of Migrants of the Russian Federation, there are about 10 million such citizens in the country. The lion's share of all migrants remaining within Russia during the quarantine period due to the coronavirus falls on Ukrainians - as many as 4 million of them numbered out of the total mass.

This category of people usually does not experience any particular difficulties during primary adaptation, since they do not have problems understanding the language, which can become a difficulty in the case of representatives of a number of other diasporas.

Citizens were unable to return home not only because of the outbreak of the pandemic. Many are more upset by the economic consequences of the prolonged self-isolation, which have hit business development in Russia. All this led to the fact that the domestic economy began to gradually slow down.

Entry to Ukraine with minors

In order to cross the Ukrainian border without problems, Russian citizens with children need to prepare a minimum of documents and follow a few simple rules. Every child over 14 years old can enter the country without any problems with a foreign passport. For younger children, you need to take a birth certificate (a citizenship stamp is required) or present your passport, where it is written. It must be taken into account that if the parent and child have different surnames, the relationship will need to be proven. If a minor crosses the border with one of the parents, the permission of the other is not required. But for the accompanying person, it is necessary to prepare a notarized consent indicating the duration of stay. A more thorough check of minors’ documents is carried out when leaving the Russian Federation.

The procedure for crossing the Ukrainian border by Russian citizens

Citizens of the Russian Federation cross the Ukrainian border in accordance with the general procedure. To enter the country, it is necessary to go through border control and customs inspection, after which the Russian will be issued a card with permission to visit.

The entry procedure becomes more complicated if a citizen has animals, children, or crosses the border in his own car. Let's consider each of the cases in more detail.

By car

When crossing the border by car, the driver presents the following documents to the border service:

registration certificate and vehicle license plate;
a notarized power of attorney from the owner of the vehicle with permission to leave the country (in cases where the car is taken from a third party), or a travel certificate with a traveler (in cases where the car is provided by the company);
driver's license;
Ukrainian OSPGO policy (purchased between CPYU or before them).

A car imported into the territory of Ukraine is not subject to taxes or state duties on a temporary basis.

The length of his stay in the country is not regulated, but after 2 months the Russian must register the vehicle with the traffic police. At the Russian border you may be required to fill out an exit declaration.

With baby

Children crossing the Ukrainian border with one of their parents/guardians should not have permission from the other parent in their package of accompanying documents.

Minor children enter the country using biometric passports and are indicated in the passports of their accompanying parents.

In cases where a child visits the country accompanied by a distant relative, guardian, or representative, the minor presents to the border guards a document confirming the parent’s consent to his departure from Russia. Children over 12 years of age have the right to travel independently unaccompanied by adults.

Filling out the form

Russians arriving in Ukraine have been undergoing a pre-registration procedure since January 2021. The applicant's questionnaire is under development and will be provided in electronic form.

The application form is posted on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. After filling it out, citizens of the Russian Federation go through the registration and migration registration procedure.

When crossing the border with a foreign passport, persons do not fill out a migration card, but indicate the purpose and duration of arrival. Foreigners must register at their place of stay.

What documents are needed to enter Ukraine?

You can legally cross the border of Ukraine only if you have a foreign passport. But in order to minimize the subjective suspicions of border guards and avoid a controversial situation, it is better to prepare a few more documents:

Return ticket.
An official invitation from an individual or legal entity (it is not necessary, it is needed only if its necessity is justified by the purpose of the trip, but at the same time, the paper significantly reduces the risk of refusal, since the subjective factor plays a significant role). It is rarely required of women with children, regardless of the purpose of the trip.
Hotel reservation, confirmation of rental housing.
Confirmation of financial security for the duration of stay in the country, but there are exceptions; the full list can be found by reading paragraph 2 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated December 4, 2013 No. 884. The amount cannot be less than 20 subsistence minimums established by Ukrainian legislation for a month. If a foreigner plans to stay in the country, then the security is calculated as follows - the amount is divided by the arithmetic average number of days of the month and multiplied by the planned number of days, plus another 5 to this number. You can confirm financial security by preparing the required amount in national currency, a bank statement invoices and payment card, a document confirming the rental of housing or payment for food, a tourist voucher, a letter of guarantee from the host party about the assumption of financial obligations.

What documents are needed

When crossing the border with Ukraine, you will need to provide the following documents to the State Border Guard Service:

biometric international passport (if there is a second/dual citizenship with Ukraine, the person provides a Ukrainian passport);
invitation from the host party (if available);
applicant's application form;
2 photos 3.5x4.5;
receipt of payment of state duty.

In some cases, border guards may require confirmation of the financial status of the person staying.

In accordance with the legislation of the country, upon entry, foreign persons are required to have an amount sufficient to stay on the territory of Ukraine for a specified period.

The calculation is made by day: 83 hryvnia per day (for 2021). You can confirm the availability of funds by presenting a bank statement from your personal account, cash, an invitation from the host party, a travel contract, a return ticket, or a hotel reservation.

How to get an invitation to Ukraine for Russians?

To receive an invitation to travel to Ukraine, you need to ask your Ukrainian relative or friend to register it with a notary. It is advisable to indicate in it not only the period of issue, but also the time frame for its validity. From the documents, an individual needs to prepare a passport of a citizen of Ukraine, an identification code, copies of pages with personal data and registration, a copy of the first page of a foreigner’s passport with a notarized translation, and, if necessary, indicate the assumption of financial obligations. The average cost of the service is 150-200 UAH. According to reviews, quite a few citizens traveled by invitation, which indicated a validity period of one year, and there were no complaints against them, but for your peace of mind it is better to play it safe.

From Ukraine to Russia

During the most active phase of migration of the Ukrainian population, caused by the armed conflict in the eastern region, preferential rules for travel, stay and obtaining the right to reside in Russia were introduced. The period of free stay was not limited to 90 days. Today, the rules require strict adherence to the visa-free period and timely extension. Documents determining the right to stay in the Russian Federation must always be up to date. Otherwise, the person may be held accountable for violating migration legislation.

To stay legally on the territory of Russia for 90 days, it is enough to have an internal passport of a citizen of Ukraine and a current migration card. To extend your stay, the following documents are required:

patent;
employment contract (from 2021);
Contract.

Violation of this order is fraught with a fine and the inclusion of a foreigner in the black list of migrants of government agencies on migration issues. The period of such restriction can be up to 3 years.

The procedure for crossing the Russian state border from the territory of Ukraine from 2021 is quite similar to that described above, but has certain features. The rules stipulate that the following documents are required for travel:

internal passport;
ID card for traveling abroad (passport);
diplomatic passport;
Identification card of a seafarer or crew member.

As a rule, what specific documents to provide is determined by the purpose of the trip. For the majority of the population, only the first two certificates are relevant. The citizen himself can choose what he needs. For example, if you plan only to transit through Russian territory to a country with a visa regime or the need to enter with a foreign passport, there is no point in taking internal documents as well.

Invitation to Ukraine for Russians - sample

The notary has the invitation form; the inviting party only needs to submit the necessary documents to fill out, indicate the desired length of stay, clarify the issue of financial support and wait until the registration is completed. The completed document must be sent to the foreigner by courier delivery services or by mail.

Sample invitation to Ukraine for a citizen of the Russian Federation (click to enlarge)