New visa regime in Ukraine
On June 1, 2011, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved Rules for issuing entry and transit visa for Ukraine. Also, this resolution amends the rules of entry, exit and transit across Ukraine for foreigners and stateless persons. New rules regulate the procedure of issuance of entry and transit visas of Ukraine for foreigners and stateless persons, as well as storage and transmission of the visa label blanks to competent bodies, destruction of visa labels blanks and documents that give the right to cross the state border within the local border traffic.
In fact, the scope of legal regulation of the instrument under consideration is similar to that set out in the resolution “On implementation of the new order of issuance of entry visa documents of Ukraine.” However, the new visa procedure has significant differences from the old one. For example, the document contains new classification of visa depending on the purpose of the trip, namely:
- Transit;
- Short-term (this type of visa is normally issued if general time of stay in Ukraine does not exceed 90 days within 180 days from the date of first entry);
- Long-term visa Ukraine (is given for issuance of documents that enable a person to stay in Ukraine for a period exceeding 90 days).
Ukraine visa and passport requirements
Reasons for the issuance of transit visa of Ukraine can be one of the following documents:
1) document that certifies the transit nature of the visit (visa to the third country (if necessary), ticket, etc.);
2) document that certifies the transit nature of goods and passengers conveyance;
3) license for international transportations issued by the appropriate agency of the host state;
Reasons for the issuance of the short-time visa of Ukraine can be one of the following documents:
1) invitation of a specified design for a person or entity that is issued by the territorial authority or subdivision of the State Customs Service of Ukraine;
2) invitation of the Ministry, other central body of the executive authorities, state institutions, enterprises or organization;
3) document that certifies family relationship with a citizen of Ukraineor a foreigner or a stateless person who has a permit to temporary or permanent residence in Ukraine, including certificate for marriage or birth;
4) document that certifies the tourist nature of the trip according to the law of Ukraine “On Tourism” and some other grounds.
Reasons for the issuance of the long-time visa of Ukraine can be one of the following documents:
1) certified in the prescribed way a copy of the permit to the employment of foreigners or stateless persons issued by the State Employment Center or on behalf of the center of Employment of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Kyiv and Sevastopol city employment centers;
2) copy of the decision of an immigration permit, issued by the territorial authority or subdivision of the State Customs Service of Ukraine;
3) Foreign Ministry permission to issue visas for Ukraine to family members of the person who obtained refugee status inUkraine;
4) original invitation of an established form to study;
5) invitation of the state institutions, enterprises or organizations that are recipients of international technical assistance and some other grounds.
Certainly, for all types of visas for Ukraine passport is needed.
The former regulation established the following types of visas for Ukraine depending on the purpose of the trip: diplomatic, official, business, visa for employees of rescue services, student visa and other types of visas, depending on various purposes of visiting Ukraine.
The new legislation established new tariffs of consular fee. For example, for issuance of visa diplomatic representations or consular institutions of Ukraine charge visa fee in accordance with the following rates:
- For a non-recurrent visa – 85 USD;
- For a double visa – 130 USD;
- For a multiple visa – 200 USD.
Note that now the amount of consular fees for visas issued outside Ukraine are differentiated according to the trip purpose (according to the types that are defined by decree “On implementation of the new order of issuance of entry visa documents of Ukraine” and depending on whether the visa is non-recurrent, double or multiple. In general, we can talk about increase in the consular fee for visa for Ukraine.
Apart from these amendments, grounds for refusal of issuance of visa or its cancellation and some other major changes were made.
The document in issue also regulates the long-term residence and employment of representatives of foreign non-governmental organizations, foreign business entities, and foreign banks in Ukraine.
In addition, the statute provides a mechanism of Ukraine’s implementation of its obligations under international treaties, which provide for issuance of temporary residence permits for certain categories of foreigners freeing their employer from the necessity to process permits to the use of work of foreigners.
It should be noted that the implementation of the provisions of this document will bring the regulatory framework in the field of visas in line with modern requirements. It will contribute to further adaptation of migration and visa policies with EU standards and efficiency and higher efficiency of combating against illegal migration. Moreover, in order to enhance the level of national policy in the sphere of visa Ukraine intends to further improve its legislation in this realm.
Concerning immigration issues in Ukraine, please, contact immigrant lawyer
Taras Bachynskyy
ua.legalaid@gmail.com
phones: +380972184275
+380504317084