New travel agreements set with Uruguay, Georgia

IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? Ukraine and Georgia have approved a new travel agreement making it easier for those with Ukrainian IDs to travel to Georgia for short-stay tourism and business trips. Also, Ukraine and Uruguay have agreed to move to a visa-free travel arrangement.

What does the change mean? Georgian and Ukrainian nationals may soon travel to each other’s countries using only a Ukrainian internal ID for short-stay tourism and business trips. The two countries have had a visa-free travel arrangement since 1999.

Uruguayan and Ukrainian nationals may soon travel to each other’s countries for tourism and business trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period without having to obtain a visa prior to travel.

• Implementation time frame: An official start date has not yet been announced for either change.
• Visas/permits affected: Visit visas.
• Who is affected: Ukrainian nationals traveling to Uruguay or Georgia; Uruguayan and Georgian nationals traveling to Ukraine.
• Business impact: Business travelers are among those covered by both agreements.

Background: Earlier this year, Ukraine established visa-free agreements with Antigua and Barbuda and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Ukraine has signed amendments to its visa-free agreement with Serbia to extend visa-free stays from 30 days to 90 days, but the changes have not been enacted. Ukraine launched its e-visa program for nationals of 46 countries in April. E-visas are valid for tourism or business purposes for a single entry of up to 30 days. The Ukrainian visa-on-arrival program is available to nationals of 32 countries (30 of which are also eligible for e-visas), is only available at certain airports, and has the same requirements as the e-visa program, including a document that confirms the purpose of travel, such as an invitation letter from the hosting entity. Visas-on-arrival may be granted only for certain purposes, including tourism or business, for a single entry of up to 15 days.

Analysis & Comments: When enacted, the agreements will ease travel for Ukrainian nationals traveling to Uruguay and Georgia and for Uruguayan and Georgian nationals traveling to Ukraine.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.