Invitation to a Foreign National to Ukraine (from an Individual)

Invitation to a Foreign National from an Individual

A private or guest invitation is a notarised statement by an individual host in Ukraine. It is used by a foreign national to apply for a short-stay type C visa and may also be used to confirm the purpose of travel when crossing the Ukrainian border.

The host may be an adult Ukrainian citizen or a foreign national who holds a temporary or permanent residence permit in Ukraine. Where the host is a foreign national, the period stated in the invitation cannot extend beyond the validity of the host's residence permit.

A similar invitation may be issued by a Ukrainian legal entity, representative office, company or public organisation. A medical insurance policy with cover of EUR 30,000 is required for the visa and entry process.

What is a type C short-stay visa?

A type C visa is intended for nationals of visa-required countries visiting Ukraine for no more than 90 days. The source advises checking the visa regime on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The visa may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. The host states the intended visa period and number of entries in the invitation. Regardless of the number of entries, the total stay may not exceed 90 days within the relevant period.

Is an invitation useful for visa-free entry?

Nationals of visa-free countries may formally enter with a valid passport, but a border officer may request evidence of the purpose of travel. The source therefore recommends carrying the original invitation to substantiate the visit.

Where and how is the invitation prepared?

Since 1 April 2017 an invitation from an individual no longer has to be registered with the State Migration Service. A correctly drafted statement is instead signed by the host and the signature is notarised.

• collect copies of the host's and guest's documents and the necessary information;

• prepare the invitation text;

• have the host's signature notarised on the invitation.

Documents and information

• host's passport or ID card and evidence of the registered address;

• temporary or permanent residence permit if the host is a foreign national;

• copy of the foreign national's passport data page and, where relevant, a previous Ukrainian visa;

• host's taxpayer card (INN/RNOKPP);

• the guest's residential address abroad;

• the address where the guest will stay in Ukraine;

• the dates or period of the planned visit.

Validity and related questions

The invitation has no separate fixed validity period; it applies to the dates stated by the host. The visa issued on its basis cannot extend beyond the validity of the foreign national's passport.

A holder of a Ukrainian temporary or permanent residence permit may issue an invitation, but not beyond the validity of that permit. An individual cannot issue a tourist invitation; the source distinguishes a private/guest invitation from tourist documents issued by travel businesses.

Personal attendance is required when the host's signature is notarised. The host should bring a passport and taxpayer number.

A hotel address may be stated, although the visa authority may request a hotel booking covering the period in the invitation. A bank statement or income certificate is not required merely for notarising the invitation, although a particular embassy or consulate may require financial evidence for the visa application.

An additional guarantee letter is not required. If the guest has two citizenships, the invitation should use the passport with which the person will enter Ukraine; the second citizenship does not need to be stated.

The original notarised invitation may be sent abroad by international post or courier. For a visa application, the foreign national submits the original invitation together with a copy of the Ukrainian host's passport or, where applicable, the host's residence permit.

The source attributes the procedure to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 118 of 1 March 2017 on the rules for issuing visas for entry into and transit through Ukraine.

Support for Obtaining a Type D or C Visa to Ukraine

Type D and Type C Visas to Ukraine

A type C visa is a short-stay visa for business, private or other travel with a total stay of up to 90 days during the validity of the visa. It may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry and may be issued for the period supported by the documents, but for no more than five years.

A type D visa is a long-stay visa used to enter Ukraine for the purpose of obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit. Citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Uzbekistan are not requiring this visa for that residence-permit purpose. A type D visa is issued for 90 days.

A Ukrainian visa can be obtained only outside Ukraine.

Why is a type D visa required?

For applicants who require it, the type D visa must correspond to the basis on which the residence permit will be requested. The source gives D-14 for residence on the basis of marriage and D-04 for employment as examples.

When is a type C visa required?

The source advises checking the applicant's nationality on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Where ordinary passport holders are shown as visa-required, a type C visa must be obtained before travel.

Application procedure

• collect the supporting documents and complete the visa application form;

• book an appointment at a Ukrainian embassy or consulate abroad or an authorised visa centre;

• submit the passport and documents personally and pay the visa fee;

• receive the decision and, if approved, the visa label in the passport.

Core documents

• foreign passport valid for at least three months after the declared departure date and containing at least two blank pages;

• printed and signed visa application form generated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system;

• one 35 × 45 mm photograph;

• medical insurance for the full visa period with cover of EUR 30,000;

• evidence of sufficient financial means, such as a bank statement or salary certificate;

• evidence of payment of the visa fee;

• documents proving the basis for the relevant visa. Foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled where required and accompanied by a certified Ukrainian translation or, where that is not possible, an English translation .

An application for a residence permit based on a type D visa should be filed no later than 15 working days before the visa expires.

Electronic application and visa fee

A type D visa cannot be issued electronically. The application form is completed online, and the online account may be used to obtain information about the progress of the visa application.

The source states a base visa fee of USD 123.5, with different rates for certain countries under reciprocity arrangements. An urgent application requires payment of double the visa fee.

Statutory visa-processing periods

A Ukrainian visa is processed within up to 10 working days under the ordinary procedure and up to 5 working days under the urgent procedure. An application may be made no earlier than three months before the planned entry to Ukraine.

Nationals of certain countries may apply only in the country of citizenship or permanent residence and may be subject to additional Security Service checks.

Type D visa for employment

For a D-04 employment visa, the source requires the general visa documents plus a notarised copy of the work permit. It also identifies a draft employment contract, an employer invitation/guarantee letter and employer registration evidence as additional documents that may be submitted.

Refusal and residence permit questions

Where a visa is refused, it is advisable to obtain the formal refusal and determining the actual reason. An unlawful refusal may be challenged; an incomplete or defective application may instead be corrected and resubmitted.

A type C visa cannot be used to obtain a Ukrainian residence permit. The residence-permit procedure requires the relevant type D visa, subject to the nationality exceptions stated above.

Invitation to a Foreign National to Ukraine (from a Legal Entity)

Business Invitation from a Ukrainian Legal Entity

A business invitation is a document issued by a Ukrainian resident legal entity for a foreign national who needs a short-stay type C visa or evidence of the purpose of entry into Ukraine. The visit may be for up to 90 days.

The invitation is issued by a Ukrainian resident legal entity, signed by its authorised representative and sealed where the organisation uses a seal. A private invitation from an individual is a separate alternative.

Medical insurance with cover of EUR 30,000 is required for the visa and entry process.

Information in the invitation

The document should contain the organisation's name and registration number in the Unified State Register, the internal document number and date, and the authorised signature and seal where applicable.

Type C visa

The source advises checking the visa regime on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Where ordinary passport holders of the relevant country are visa-required, a Ukrainian visa must be obtained.

The visa may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. The Ukrainian host states the intended visa period and number of entries in the invitation. The total stay may not exceed 90 days within the stated period.

Invitation for visa-free nationals

A visa-free national may enter with a valid foreign passport, but a border officer may ask for evidence of the purpose of entry. A business invitation can therefore be used as supporting evidence.

Preparation procedure

• collect the company's registration information and the foreign national's details;

• prepare and register the invitation in the organisation's outgoing correspondence;

• sign the invitation and apply the organisation's seal where one is used.

The source attributes the procedure to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 118 of 1 March 2017.

Documents and information

• extract or registration information from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Formations;

• copy of the foreign national's passport data page and, where applicable, a previous Ukrainian visa;

• the foreign national's residential address abroad, place of work and position;

• the planned address in Ukraine;

• the dates or period of the visit.

Other organisations and employment

Public organisations, public unions and charitable foundations may also invite foreign nationals. Ukrainian law does not use a separate concept of an “invitation to work”: employment requires a permit for the employment of foreign nationals and stateless persons.

The invitation does not have a separate fixed validity period; it applies to the dates of the planned visit.

For an ordinary visa application, the original invitation on the legal entity's letterhead, signed and sealed where applicable, is submitted to the consular or diplomatic mission. For an e-visa, a scanned copy is sufficient.

An additional guarantee letter is not required. Where the foreign national has two citizenships, the invitation should use the passport with which the person intends to enter Ukraine.

Support for Obtaining an E-Visa to Ukraine

Electronic Visa to Ukraine

An e-visa is an electronic visa for entry to Ukraine. It is available to nationals of 42 countries, is processed remotely and is delivered by email.

The e-visa may be single-entry or double-entry for a stay of up to 30 days. The source lists business, private, tourism, medical treatment, cultural, scientific, educational and sporting activities, and work as a foreign correspondent or representative of foreign media among the permitted purposes.

Countries

The following apply: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bhutan, Vanuatu, Haiti, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominica, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Kiribati, Costa Rica, Laos, Mauritius, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Palau, South Africa, El Salvador, Samoa, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Fiji, Philippines and Jamaica.

Grounds and e-visa categories

• C-01(e) — invitation from a legal entity;

• C-02(e) — invitation from an individual;

• C-06(e) — tourist voucher;

• C-07(e) — invitation from a healthcare institution;

• C-09(e) — invitation for cultural, scientific, educational or sporting activity;

• C-11(e) — request from a foreign mass-media organisation.

The source states official processing periods of one working day under the urgent procedure and three working days under the ordinary procedure. It states visa fees of USD 20 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 30 for a double-entry e-visa, with the rate doubled for urgent processing.

Application procedure

• prepare the passport scan, photograph, invitation or other purpose-of-travel document, financial evidence and insurance;

• complete and submit the electronic visa form, upload the supporting documents and pay the visa fee;

• receive the decision and, if approved, the e-visa by email.

Documents

• high-quality scan of the passport data page;

• digital photograph on a white background in passport proportions;

• invitation from an individual or legal entity, or another document proving the purpose of travel;

• evidence of financial support. The required amount is USD 1,500 or the equivalent in another currency;

• medical insurance with cover of EUR 30,000.

Additional information

The source requires full place of birth, marital status, current address, telephone and email; planned date of entry, host/contact information and address in Ukraine; and information about Ukrainian visas received during the previous three years.

The e-visa is for stays of up to 30 days. A person who needs to remain in Ukraine for longer should apply personally abroad for an ordinary type C visa.