How can foreigners visit Ukraine and get a visa?

Ukraine attracts citizens of other states for a variety of reasons - from the desire to get a diploma from a university with a good reputation to the desire to arrange a personal life. Regardless of the purpose, a visit to the country must be formalized in accordance with the norms and requirements of Ukrainian legislation. In the presence of a special document (visa), a person who is not a citizen of Ukraine has the right to enter the country for a certain time to implement his plans. The main permit document is a properly issued visa.

Visas for entry into Ukraine

The possibility of entering the territory of Ukraine is provided by visas of the following types:

• Transit B with a maximum period of up to 5 days.
• Short Term C, which is valid for 180 days with a maximum stay of 90 days.
• Long-term D with a maximum term of 90 days.

A short-term visa C is considered universal. It is available to citizens of other states who:

• wish to visit friends or relatives;
• planning to travel;
• invited by a religious organization;
• plan to take part in an event (symposium, conference), etc.

A short-term visa C is not a basis for obtaining permanent residence or a residence permit. On the basis of an invitation, a foreigner or a stateless person can obtain a multiple, double or single entry C visa, and the multiple entry period should not exceed 5 years. The visa is valid only for the period of validity of the passport, which must expire at least 3 months after leaving Ukraine.

Long-term visa D is provided to foreign citizens who plan to issue documents on the territory of Ukraine:

• residence permit (permanent or temporary);
• work permit, etc.

Visa D is issued as single entry, double entry and multiple entry (multi). To apply for this type of visa, an invitation of a special type is required.

Foreigners can enter the territory of Ukraine if they have an invitation issued by a private or legal entity.

Invitation to a foreigner to enter Ukraine: varieties

If a visa to Ukraine is not available to a foreigner for any reason, he can enter the country in the near future on the basis of an invitation written by a private or legal person. Having an invitation allows you to get a visa for permanent or temporary stay in Ukraine. In most cases, invitations are issued by relatives of non-residents who wish to visit relatives or move to Ukraine for permanent residence.

The right to issue an invitation:

• individuals - citizens of Ukraine;
• individuals who are citizens of other states and residing in Ukraine on the basis of a residence permit (permanent or temporary);
• legal entities officially registered in Ukraine (companies, organizations, enterprises of all forms of ownership and activities);
• representative offices of foreign companies or organizations.

If the invitation is issued by foreigners with a residence permit in Ukraine, there is no need to contact the migration service - it is enough to write an invitation and notarize the document.

There are several types of invitations that allow foreign citizens to enter Ukraine:

• Tourist. It is issued by a licensed operator who is also involved in the preparation of documents. The presence of an invitation allows you to open a visa C (up to 30 days) with the right to a single entry.
• Guest. Issued by an individual who acts as the host. The document is prepared on a notarial form and allows you to obtain a C visa (single or multi) for a period of up to 90 days.
• Business. It is issued by an official legal entity wishing to invite a foreign partner to Ukraine. An invitation allows you to obtain a C visa (single or multi-entry) for up to 90 days.
• Working. Compiled by an officially registered employer. The invitation allows you to get a D visa with the prospects of obtaining a temporary residence permit and employment.
• Student (educational). It is issued by the university that invited a foreign applicant for study. Allows you to obtain a visa D with multiple entries for 90 days. On the basis of a visa, it is possible to obtain a temporary residence permit for study.

The basis for entry into Ukraine of foreign citizens is also a marriage certificate, the presence of which allows you to obtain a visa as soon as possible (for family reunification).

The procedure for obtaining visas in Ukraine by foreigners

Before receiving an officially approved invitation to Ukraine from a notary, a private applicant must collect a package of documents, including:

• resident passport and its copy;
• non-resident's passport and a document on the presence of a residence permit with copies;
• a certificate from the bank confirming that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to support the invited person.

If an application for an invitation is submitted by a foreign citizen with a residence permit, a copy of the passport must be provided with a translation.

The application must indicate the reasons for the visit of the invited person to Ukraine. After checking the documents, the foreigner will receive an invitation allowing them to enter the country or obtain a visa.

If the invitation is issued by a legal entity, the following documents must be prepared:

• a written application for issuing an invitation by a legal entity;
• an extract from the state register confirming the authenticity of the registration of the company / organization;
• passport of the director/manager or authorized person;
• a certificate from the bank on the availability of finances to provide for the invitee.

The package of documents can be handed over personally or using the e-mail of the Consulate of Ukraine. The best option is to entrust the collection and preparation of documents, including confirmation of the invitation by a notary, to the specialists of the Visa-Svit visa agency. Turning to professionals will allow you to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings, save time and money.