Entry Requirements to Ukraine for American Citizens

A passport valid for six months beyond the planned date of travel is required. According to Ukrainian Presidential Decree #1008 dated June 30, 2005 (with amendment dated August 18, 2005), U.S. citizens traveling to Ukraine on short-term tourist, business or private travel do not need a visa to enter Ukraine. Visas are still required of other categories of travelers including those who intend to study, reside, or work in Ukraine. Short-term travelers entering Ukraine under the auspices of this decree can stay in Ukraine up to 90 days during any 180 days period. 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 Ukraine and return on the extension, nor can an adjustment to visa status be made from within Ukraine.

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.

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.

Please check your visa carefully upon receipt and pay 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. Alternatively, Americans try to reenter Ukraine after using their single entry visa, believing they have unlimited travel for six months. In some cases, Americans attempt to enter Ukraine before their visa becomes valid. This is a common mistake since in Ukraine the date is written day-month-year, not month-day-year. Thus, a visa issued on 01/05/05 is valid from May 1, 2005 and NOT from January 5, 2005. These travelers have been detained at the airport, refused entry and placed on the next available flight. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is unable to assist travelers in these situations.

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.

Visitors to Ukraine should also note that Ukrainian law requires them to obtain mandatory health insurance from the state joint-stock insurance company Ukrinmedstrakh. For more information see the section on Medical Insurance.

See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Ukraine and other countries. Visit the Embassy of Ukraine web site at http://www.mfa.gov.ua/usa for the most current visa information. Also see Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official web portal at http://www.ukraineinfo.org/.

Read our information on dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1469.html. For Customs Information see http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html.