Entry/Exit Requirements

You need a valid passport to enter Ukraine. U.S. citizen do not need a Ukrainian visa if you will be in Ukraine for fewer than 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism. You need a visa or valid Ukrainian residency permit for all stays longer than 90 days. Ukrainian law requires visitors to have valid health insurance. More information on medical insurance below.

If you choose to enter without a visa, you are automatically registered at the border for 90 days. Extensions of stay beyond 90 days are rarely authorized. To apply for an extension, talk to your local office of the State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMS) between three and 10 business days before your initial registration expires. Although three days is a minimum, it is in your interest to contact SMS as early as possible. Most cities will have several SMS departments. If you are given an extension, you will be allowed to stay in Ukraine until your new registration expires; however, if you leave Ukraine, you may have to wait 90 days to come back without a visa. If you do not get an extension, you must leave the country and cannot come back until 180 days after your initial entry into Ukraine.

Entering on a visa: If the purpose or duration of your travel requires a visa, you must receive the visa from the Ukrainian Embassy or consulate prior to traveling. You cannot get a Ukrainian visa at the airport or at the border. For information regarding visa requirements and to find the nearest Ukrainian Embassy or consulate, visit Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Remember, once you have a visa you are responsible for knowing the validity period and the rules for your particular visa class. In Ukraine, the date is written day-month-year, meaning a visa issued on 01/05/15 is good from May 1, 2015, NOT from January 5, 2015. If you come to Ukraine before your visa allows, you can be stopped at the border, barred from entering Ukraine, and required to return to your point of origin at your own expense. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv cannot intervene on your behalf or help you gain admission into Ukraine.

If you enter Ukraine on a long-term (“D”) visa, you must apply with OVIR for a residency permit within 45 days from your entry date. Once you have the residency permit you can reside in Ukraine for as long as it remains valid. To enter and exit the country, you will need your un-expired residency permit and a valid passport.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any restrictions for persons with HIV/AIDS visiting Ukraine on a temporary basis. Anyone with HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, however, cannot get permanent residency in Ukraine. There are no waivers or exceptions to this rule.

Proof of sufficient funds: Upon entry to Ukraine, foreign travelers need to show proof of sufficient funds for the period of their stay in Ukraine. Travelers should be ready to demonstrate they have sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay in Ukraine or a letter of support from an inviting party. See the Embassy of Ukraine website for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: The exchange rate of U.S. dollar to Ukrainian hryvnya may change significantly from one day to the next.

Information about customs rules can be found on the Ukrainian State Customs Service website and on our Customs Information page.

Special Entry/Exit Requirements for Crimea: In March 2014, Russia occupied the Crimean Peninsula, which remains part of Ukraine notwithstanding Russia’s illegal occupation. The Ukrainian government has confirmed that time spent in Crimea counts against the 90 days U.S. citizens are allowed to remain in Ukraine without a visa. Authorities have also confirmed that all foreign citizens, including U.S. citizens, may enter and exit Crimea at will from mainland Ukraine, but any entrance into Crimea by air or sea without first entering mainland Ukraine is illegal, and anyone who does so will be denied entry to mainland Ukraine and banned from returning to Ukraine for five years. U.S. citizens are urged to follow the guidance in the Travel Warning for Ukraine and defer all travel to the Crimean Peninsula at this time.

Special Entry/Exit Requirements for the ATO: The Government of Ukraine has stated that foreigners, including U.S. citizens, who enter Ukraine through separatist-controlled territory along the Russian border, will not be allowed to pass through government checkpoints. As of June 16th, 2015, the Security Service of Ukraine has introduced a new entry/exit procedure for Ukrainian and foreign citizens visiting the ATO area. Permit applications are submitted and approved electronically. Once approval is received via email, travelers need only present their passport to enter the ATO zone. For a comprehensive list of the requirements for foreign citizens to obtain a permit to enter the ATO area, please visit the official website of the Security Service of Ukraine. Please note if traveling by car you must present a certificate of ownership.