Double checking some visa info

[Jeff]

I just wanted to double check the info that I have found on the internet regarding visas, because the info is scattered and seems like the rules are constantly changing.  Me, my wife, and our child will be going to Odessa.  I read an interesting fact about Odessa - you don't need to get a visa in advance if only staying for 8 days and you don't stop in Kiev first.  But we are staying longer, and from what I gather my wife doesn't need anything, I need a visa which will cost $30 and my son will need a visa which won't cost anything because he is under 16.  Also, registration and invitation letters are no longer required.  And the application must be sent with an Express return postage envelope.  Is this info accurate so far?  If anyone disagrees, please let me know.

[Dan]

... in response to Double checking some visa info, posted by Jeff on Jul 17, 2002

So far, the only airport that is confirmed to issue visas upon arrival is in Crimea at Simferopol (as of 01 July 2002). Odesa was slated to start the process on 8 July, but it is unclear if it is operational just yet.

Since you intend to stay longer than 8 days, you still need to secure a visa the old way - through the Consulate/Embassy in the US.

If your son has his own passport, I'd suggest you get him a visa - assuming he is not the son of your wife, but is *your* natural son and an American citizen. The visa-free travel for children under 16 is designed for children that are listed in the passports of their parents - a practice in the FSU, but not for Americans.

If you apply for a Private or a Business visa, you do not need an invitation. However, if you apply for a Tourist visa, you need an invitation. Moral to the story - apply for a Private visa.

Registration now occurs when you enter the country. There is a new form that you must complete prior to presenting your passport to the Passport control agents at the airport.

Also, the insurance requirement is now dropped altogether.

I hadn't heard that an Express return envelope is a requirement, but it is probably a good idea. Be sure to note the tracking number so that you can track it yourself.

Have a good trip!

- Dan

[Jeff]

... in response to Yes --- and No . . ., posted by Dan on Jul 17, 2002

Dan,
Check out http://ukremb.com/consular/visareqs.htm.  Under "Registration in Ukraine" it states that no registration is required for the term of the visa.  Is this correct info or not?  Everything is so vague and confusing.  About my son's visa, he will be 11 months when we go and he is ours, so he is a citizen, but I can't imagine getting photos of him that match their requirements.  He would never sit still long enough to get it right.  The above site just says that anyone under 16 doesn't have to pay for the visa, but apparently they still get one as it says the fee is waived.  I would really appreciate some definitive answers on this, as I would hate to do the wrong thing and not find out till later.  Thanks a million!

[Dan]

... in response to But......, posted by Jeff on Jul 17, 2002

Jeff,

Not sure I can remove all that you find vague and confusing, but I'll try. Note the date that website was last updated - almost a year ago. Much has changed since then.

Re: Registration. It really doesn't matter that you see on that website. Registration is going to be accomplished automatically when you enter the country. You fill out a form, turn it in to the Passport control officer, and that is that. It is not optional, and Ukraine has vastly simplified the process now from what it was a year ago.

Re: Your son's visa. Unless you filed the requisite forms with the Ukrainian Embassy to have her added to your wife's Ukrainian passport - AND to register him as a Ukrainian citizen - you NEED to get him a US passport and a visa to visit Ukraine, just as RickM writes he did for his son. Since you write that your son is an American citizen, you MUST get him a passport and then a visa for Ukraine. I had to do the same with my sons when they were that age. There are no other options.

- Dan

[Jeff]

... in response to OK - I'll Try . . ., posted by Dan on Jul 18, 2002

OK, so I have to get him a passport and a visa, but do I have to pay the $30 for the visa or is the fee waived as it says it is on the website?  Also, I was told my wife doesn't need anything other than her green card, is this correct?  Thanks Dan for your replies.

[Dan]

... in response to About my son, posted by Jeff on Jul 18, 2002

OK Jeff - you've managed to stump me --smile--.

My suspicion - though I do not know for sure - is that you will need to pay for the visa for your son.

Please report back what you find out on the matter.

As for your wife - yes, all she needs is her international Ukraine passport (assuming, of course, it is still valid). With it she can enter Ukraine - and with her Green Card, she can re-enter the USA.

I suspect you have already read about the possibility (however remote) that she *may* have trouble when departing Ukraine if she does not have official permission to reside in America. This is the infamous PMZh stamp - or 'exit visa' - but it is a problem that you are unlikely to face and can probably be overcome with a small payment to the approriate official.

Aside from that, you should be all set.

Enjoy your trip!

- Dan

[Charles]

... in response to OK - I'll Try . . ., posted by Dan on Jul 18, 2002

Regarding the new registration form in Ukraine, is there a place you can grab this (like the booths they had for the insurance) to speed up your getting through passport control or is it something you fill out when you get to the agent.  I wouldn't want to wait in line and then be told to go fill out a form.

[Del]

... in response to Re: Question, Dan., posted by Charles on Jul 18, 2002

on my last two trips I was given the Customs Declaration form on the plane and picked up the 'Registration Form' (a smaller single page form where you complete both the top and bottom section and, be sure to retain the bottom section - you'll need it when you exit Ukraine).
These forms ('Registration Forms') are readily available from a desk area before you procede to the entrance booths.

[Charles]

... in response to Sorry, Dan - for jumping in here...... :..., posted by Del on Jul 18, 2002

nt

[Alfred]

... in response to Re: Question, Dan., posted by Charles on Jul 18, 2002

You should be able to get the form on your flight into the country.  They were available on my flights using KLM and Ukraine International.

[RickM]

... in response to But......, posted by Jeff on Jul 17, 2002

Jeff,I just secured Russian visa(s) for my US born son (5 months old) and for myself.I don't know about "your" destination but I called the Russian Embassy here in the states and was informed my son needed to have a U S passport and apply for a Russian visa just like myself.His mom still has a Kyrgyz passport that is "honored by a special agreement" in Russia and the passport does not expire for another 7 years.Even though she has the I-551 stamp in her passport and has her greencard now,she still does not need a visa to enter Russia.That will only be required if she ever gives up her Kyrgyz citizenship by special stamp in her passport or her passport expires.Naturally,she won't do that until she becomes a US citizen.Now...Ukraine could be a lot different...I've "heard"... that when people leave Ukraine they are not allowed to have dual-citizenships and return...I'm sure others reading this are certainly more qualified as to how that works...

Interesting Note...I priced tourist visa(s) with different companys like Red Star and Go-To-Russia."With them providing the invitation letter" their prices were $180.00 and $120.00 for each person for a Russian tourist single-entry visa,respectively.
I had my in-laws mail me a invitation letter from Russia which they had to get a special form for from their embassy.I sent their origional letter/form along with our applications for  single-entry tourist visa(s) and my son and I got our Russian visa(s) for the cost of $70.00 each.I had only to include a pre-paid postage  return envelope.
QUITE A DIFFERENCE...

[Dan]

... in response to F.W.I.W..., posted by RickM on Jul 18, 2002

You are correct that Ukraine does not allow her citizenry to hold dual citizenship. Russia, I believe, does.

- Dan