IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Ukraine is now accepting applications for its new e-visa program, allowing nationals of 46 countries to apply for e-visas for travel of up to 30 days for business or tourism.

What does the change mean? Nationals of 46 countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Singapore may now apply for e-visas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website here.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: E-visas.
  • Who is affected: Nationals of 46 countries traveling to Ukraine for business or tourism.
  • Impact on processing times: The change saves travelers time in the application process because e-visas are issued much faster than consular visas. Processing times are estimated at up to nine business days.
  • Next steps: Eligible applicants may register for e-visas here. Applicants will need to fill out an online application form, upload scanned copies of required documents, pay the application fee of US$65 and print the e-visa after they have received it via email following approval. Additional applications details are listed here.

Background: Ukrainian officials announced the creation of an e-visa program in 2017, but implementation was delayed. E-visa procedures have now been put in place and officials have begun accepting applications. Under current policies, nationals of the following countries are eligible for e-visas:

Antigua and Barbuda Costa Rica Honduras Mexico Peru Suriname
Australia Dominica Indonesia Micronesia Qatar Thailand
Bahamas Dominican Republic Jamaica Myanmar Samoa Timor-Leste
Bahrain El Salvador Kuwait Nepal Saudi Arabia Trinidad and Tobago
Barbados Fiji Laos Nicaragua St. Lucia Tuvalu
Bhutan Grenada Malaysia New Zealand St. Vincent and the Grenadines Vanuatu
Bolivia Guatemala Maldives Oman Seychelles
Cambodia Haiti Mauritius Palau Singapore  

Ukraine waives visa requirements altogether for nationals of roughly 60 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and European Union member states. Those eligible for visa-free travel are eligible to stay in Ukraine for business or tourism for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

BAL Analysis: The e-visa program eases travel procedures to Ukraine for nationals of 46 countries. Travelers should note, however, that while the visas will be available for tourism or business, employment activities are prohibited on e-visas.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Ukraine. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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