What foreigners need to know to enter Ukraine

Entry rules for Russian citizens to Ukraine have recently become stricter. In order to freely enter the country, you now need an invitation to Ukraine.

Russians do not need a Ukrainian visa, however, men from 18 to 60 years old can enter Ukraine by invitation in 2021.

Otherwise, they will not be allowed to cross the border. Women may also be deported and not allowed into the country if they do not have this document.

Types of invitations to enter Ukraine

Despite economic and political difficulties, Ukraine continues to live its normal life. Enterprises operate in the country, people go on vacation, competitions and various contests are held. The country is visited annually by millions of guests who travel for different purposes. The invitation to enter the country indicates the purpose of the visit:

• tourist;
• private
• business

An invitation for tourism purposes allows you to stay in the country for no more than thirty days. On a private visit, you can visit Ukraine for a period of thirty to one hundred and eighty days. The same deadlines are provided for business invitations. The cost of the invitation depends on the length of stay of the invitees in the country.

Example of a private invitation to Ukraine

Sample invitation to enter Ukraine for Russians in 2021

Several trains depart daily to Kyiv, Lev and other cities. The cost of a ticket from Moscow to Kyiv in a reserved seat carriage is about 4,000 rubles, in a compartment – ​​7,000 rubles;

• By bus. Regular buses run between the countries. For a ticket you will have to pay from 1500 rubles.

Travel by car Minimum documentation package:

1. International passport;
2. Driver's license issued after 2011;
3. Vehicle registration certificate;
4. Power of attorney for a car if its owner is another person;
5. “Green card” or Ukrainian MTPL insurance.

The driver, like any other Ukrainian guest, must justify his travel route and the purpose of his visit to the country and present funds for living in Ukraine.

If an invitation is issued for a foreigner from a visa country

For foreigners arriving from foreign countries, an invitation will become the basis for obtaining a visa. In addition, with its help in the future it will be possible to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine.

If a foreigner enters the country in order to get a job, he needs not only an invitation to enter Ukraine, but also a work permit and other necessary documents.

Work permit

All types of invitations can be obtained from the State Migration Service of Ukraine. There is an approved sample that should be taken as an example for registration.

Stages of issuing an invitation

The first action that a citizen of Ukraine needs to take in order to begin the process of issuing an invitation for a foreigner is to contact the State Migration Service of Ukraine. In this case, legal entities must contact the authority according to their location. Ordinary citizens issue an invitation to Ukraine at their place of registration.

In 2021, in order to receive a document, you need to write an application, which should preferably be presented in printed form. Applications typed on a computer will be considered. If the document is drawn up by hand, it should be written in block letters.

Application for an invitation to enter Ukraine

A written application will be rejected. Also, the reason for deviation may be blots, corrections, abbreviations, abbreviations, etc. The document must be drawn up exclusively in Ukrainian.

The application is a letter in which the applicant undertakes to provide for his guest financially for the entire duration of his visa.

When submitting applications to the State Migration Service of Ukraine, citizens are explained what the reasons for refusing entry to citizens of Russia and other countries may be. A foreigner who, in the opinion of the authorities, may pose a threat to its citizens and the interests of the state will not be allowed into the country. If a guest is included in the list of non grata persons, he will be denied entry to Ukraine.

Issuing an invitation to enter Ukraine for Russians in 2021

This will help to obtain information about the presence of debt on loans, fines, alimony, housing and communal services, etc., as well as to assess the likelihood of a ban on flying abroad.

An invitation does not apply to the mandatory documents required to enter Ukraine. But if it is not processed, then a Russian citizen may not be allowed through. If you take care to obtain permission from relatives or friends from Ukraine, or from business partners, problems should not arise.

Recent events that have spoiled relations between Ukraine and Russia have led to the fact that entry rules for our citizens have been tightened. Today, you will not need a visa to enter Ukraine, but now you will need to present a biometric passport at the border.

An invitation can only be issued by a person or organization registered in Ukraine. This can also be done by a citizen who has already received a residence permit on the territory of the Ukrainian state.

Can I, a citizen of Ukraine, enter Ukraine together with a 17-year-old Russian citizen without a written invitation for him?

You can also come to the farewell ceremony and funeral of close relatives without completing additional paperwork.

The application will be rejected if it is filled out in words, or with erasures, corrections, abbreviations, etc. In addition, the application is drawn up only in Ukrainian.

The form of invitation to Ukraine for Russians is established by law. It is compiled exclusively in the state language of Ukraine.

What documents should legal entities submit to the State Migration Service of Ukraine?

In 2021, legal entities, in order to issue an invitation for a foreigner, must provide the following documents to the State Migration Service of Ukraine:

• standard application form;
• a copy of the passport of the head of the inviting company;
• a copy of the passport of the representative of the enterprise authorized to deal with its affairs;
• a special bank certificate;
• extract from their USR;
• a company order authorizing a specified person or persons to handle the affairs of foreigners;
• a document confirming that a Russian, or a guest from another state, will be provided with housing. It is indicated where exactly the foreign citizen will reside;
• photocopies of the invitee's passport pages.

Documents should be submitted in advance, as the processing time may be delayed.

What documents should individuals provide to the State Migration Service of Ukraine?

If a citizen of Ukraine intends to issue a guest invitation to a resident of the Russian Federation, a citizen of the European Union or another country for a private trip, he needs to submit the following package of documents to the State Migration Service of Ukraine:

• statement. The form will be provided to the State Migration Service of Ukraine. It can also be downloaded on the Internet;
• passport or other identification document (it is immediately returned to the owner);
• if the applicant is not a citizen of Ukraine, he must present a residence permit in Ukraine, or another document confirming the legality of his stay (document from work or from an educational institution);
• receipt of payment of state duty;
• a copy of the invitee’s passport and a notarized translation into Ukrainian attached to it.

You should know that if an invitation is issued by a foreigner, his application sent to the State Migration Service of Ukraine must be agreed upon with the employer or the administration of the educational institution.

Do Russian citizens need to issue an invitation to Ukraine?

Parties without visas in compliance with the rules of stay in force in this state, using identification documents and proof of citizenship specified in Appendices 1 and 2 to this Agreement. Currently, such documents for Russian citizens are:

• Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, identifying the identity of a citizen of the Russian Federation outside the Russian Federation.
• Diplomatic passport.
• Service passport.
• Seaman's passport (sailor's identity card) - if there is a ship's role or an extract from it.
• Certificate of entry (return) to the Russian Federation (only for return to the Russian Federation).
• Flight certificate of an aircraft crew member.

This procedure for entering Ukraine applies not only to those traveling from Russia. According to Art.

What has changed for the residents of Russia

In connection with the events of 2014, Ukraine has somewhat tightened the rules for Russians visiting its territories. Since last year, citizens of the Russian Federation, if they want to travel to visit Ukrainian relatives, must familiarize themselves with the new rules that are in force at the beginning of 2021.

As before, Russians do not need a visa to cross the border of Ukraine, and a foreign passport is required to visit the country. An invitation would be useful and extremely useful. It is especially necessary for representatives of the stronger half of humanity from 18 to 60 years old.

An invitation can be replaced by another type of justification for entering the country, for example:

• illness of a relative;
• transit;
• death of a loved one;
• labor contract;
• a certificate issued to drivers working on international flights;
• temporary residence permit in Ukraine, etc.

Only citizens of the Russian Federation registered in the territory of Crimea or the city of Sevastopol cannot officially visit Ukraine. This only applies to men between 16 and 60 years of age. Meanwhile, experience shows that all Russians are subjected to thorough checks. An invitation will somewhat simplify entry and give customs officers a reason to be less picky and more loyal.

Russians must be mentally prepared for the fact that even if they have all the necessary documents and compelling reasons to visit Ukraine, the final decision on whether they will be able to continue their trip and cross the country’s border will be made at customs at the time of entry.

If the number of foreigners entering from the Russian Federation includes children under 14 years of age, they must have their own foreign passports or they must be included in their parental documents.

Russians can enter Ukraine with regular invitations for ninety days. In addition to a passport and reasons for travel, you need to prove your financial solvency, at the rate of 837 hryvnia for each day of stay in the country per person.

The problem is that an invitation is not mandatory for traveling to Ukraine, however, Russian citizens can be stopped at the border and returned to Russia. This happens much less often with Russians who are concerned that, as foreigners, Ukrainian relatives, friends or business partners send them an invitation.

Families with children and elderly people cross the border without any problems; others are treated quite suspiciously, even if they have all the documents explaining the trip. They don’t really find fault with the fair sex either.

Validity period of invitation to Ukraine for Russians

If the trip is of a business nature, then the letter is issued by a Ukrainian organization;

• Documents on booking a hotel room and payment for meals;
• Fully paid travel package.
• After reviewing these papers, border guards determine whether there is enough money to live in the country or not. Accordingly, if border guards are convinced of the latter, entry will be denied. An important point: the requirement for financial support does not apply to children.

Video: about financial support for entry into Ukraine Difficulties with entry Money and a foreign passport do not yet guarantee unhindered crossing of the Ukrainian border. Some categories of Russians may have difficulties.

We issue an invitation It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of whether Russians need an invitation to Ukraine. The law does not indicate that this document is mandatory for crossing the border. In reality, you can cross the border without it. But, due to the current situation, in practice there is an urgent need to prepare such paper. Considering the fact that especially close attention at the border is paid to men under 60 years of age, they, like no one else, need to enlist the support of their Ukrainian relatives or friends. Elderly people, families with children, women, regardless of age, will be able to pass through border control without any difficulties. An invitation for a foreign citizen is issued on a special form and then sent to a citizen of the Russian Federation by mail or courier service.

What is needed to complete a notarized application for an invitation for a Russian citizen

Like other foreigners planning a trip to Ukraine, Russians need to have an invitation issued in accordance with all the rules, on official letterhead. The main requirement for the invitee is registration on the territory of Ukraine when visiting. It is worth worrying about receiving an invitation in advance. An invitation will provide an opportunity to convince customs officers to let a Russian through.

Registration for migration on the territory of Ukraine

An invitation is issued upon presentation of the following documents:

• statement of the inviting person;
• a copy of the Ukrainian passport;
• a copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• medical insurance;
• a receipt confirming payment of the fee.

If the listed documents are available, an invitation is issued on a special form, which contains the following information:

1. Personal data of the applicant (full name);
2. Address where the inviting person is registered (not actual residence);
3. TIN.

Personal data is indicated in the header of the document. The letter itself contains the following information:

1. Who invites whom;
2. Reason for the foreigner's visit;
3. Duration of stay of a citizen of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine;
4. On whose shoulders will the financial concerns for the guest fall?

Also, the document must indicate where the foreign guest will live, his passport details are entered, as well as the passport details of the person who applied to the State Migration Service of Ukraine.

Example of a warranty sheet

After listing all the data about the foreigner and the inviting person, it is written that the applicant is ready to cover all the expenses of his guest for accommodation, food, treatment, etc. At the end of the document, the applicant’s signature and information about the notary are placed.

The first thing you should do when applying for an invitation is to write a request in the required form, which will be sent for consideration. The period for consideration of applications for visiting the country by citizens of the Russian Federation is about twenty days.

The completed document should be sent to the Russian. If for citizens of other countries it will serve as the basis for obtaining a visa, for residents of the Russian Federation it will become a kind of pass to the territory of the country.

The cost of such an invitation is 150 hryvnia (approximately 400 rubles).

New rules for entry of Russians

In order to freely visit Ukraine, a citizen of the Russian Federation must have a foreign passport and a reason for the visit. The latter can be:

• illness or death of a close relative;
• invitation from a private or legal entity;
• employment contract;
• temporary residence permit in Ukraine;
• transit;

Since January 2021, male citizens of the Russian Federation aged 16 to 60 years are prohibited from visiting Ukraine and they fall into the “risk zone”. In this regard, an additional interview is introduced for them when crossing the border of Ukraine. All other citizens can cross the border, but must be prepared for thorough checks and undergo biometric control.

It should be noted that even if you have all the documents confirming the basis for entry, the final decision on obtaining the right to entry is made at the border.

Before traveling abroad, you should find out whether you have a travel ban - the proven service of our partners will help with this, which will provide you with information about the presence of debt on loans, fines, alimony, housing and communal services, etc., and also assess the likelihood of a ban on flying abroad .

The procedure for crossing the Ukrainian border by minor children is similar to the procedure for entering the country for adult citizens of the Russian Federation. To visit Ukraine, a child 14 years of age or older must have his own passport. Young children can enter the country with the documents of their parents - for this they must be included in the foreign passport of the father or mother (a pasted-in photograph of the child is required).

In accordance with Ukrainian legislation, the maximum period of visa-free stay in the country for citizens of the Russian Federation is 90 days.

It should be borne in mind that the entry and stay of foreigners on the territory of Ukraine is possible if they have sufficient funds. According to the requirements for financial support of the trip, each entrant must have at least 1000 hryvnia with him per day.