Ukraine Business Visa – Documentation, Requirements and Fees
Ukraine Business Visa is available for foreign nationals who want to carry out business activities there. As a matter of fact, in January 2019, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced that it would start issuing electronic visas to specific categories of visitors. As a result, if you apply ten days before your travel date, you can be sure that you will receive an electronic visa to Ukraine for business.
There are 52 countries whose citizens are eligible for the Ukraine Business Visa through the electronic platform. If your country is on that list, you are one of the lucky foreign nationals. You only need to register online and upload certain documents, and before the end of nine days, you’ll be on your way to Ukraine.
For other countries not on the evisa list, obtaining a business visa to Ukraine may be longer. This is because there are documents to gather and requirements to fulfill. Then, of course, there is the visa processing fee to pay. If you plan to go to Ukraine on a business visa, read this article dedicated to the Ukraine Business Visa to get more information on the requirements, eligibility, application process, etc.
What is a Ukraine Business Visa?
A Ukraine Business Visa is a short stay visa that enables its holder to enter Ukraine for 30 days in a validity period of 60 days for business. This visa type is relevant for business people or entrepreneurs who want to visit Ukraine for a specific activity. It is important to the Ukrainian government that foreign nationals should come to their country to invest. For this reason, the electronic visa was introduced to take the place of a visa on arrival. However, because some countries are currently unable to join this platform, the normal process of applying for a Ukraine Business Visa still applies.
Who is eligible for Ukraine Electronic Visa?
There are 52 countries whose citizens do not need to physically visit a Ukrainian embassy or consulate to receive a Business Visa to Ukraine. Instead, they can apply online and get their visas in a maximum of ten days. They are:
Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Palau, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
They are only required to upload:
- A photo
- A valid passport
- A health insurance policy (30,000 euro coverage)
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Document confirming the purpose of the visit
- Other necessary documents.
Furthermore, a visa application fee of 85 USD must be paid by each applicant. However, an electronic visa is not meant for every country. There are countries whose citizens must apply for a Ukraine Business Visa through the embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
List of countries who must apply for a Ukraine Business Visa
The following are some countries whose citizens must apply at the Ukraine embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
You will find a comprehensive list of countries on the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry website.
General Document Requirements for Ukraine Business Visa
These are the documents you must provide to apply for a Ukraine Business Visa:
1. A Passport or Travel Document.
1a. It must be valid for at least three months after you leave Ukraine.
1b. It must have at least two blank pages for visas or stamps.
1c. It must not be more than 10 years old.
2. A Printed Visa Application Form duly filled out and signed by you.
3. 1 passport-size photo of you, measuring 35×45 mm
4. Proof of Medical Insurance. Holders of Diplomatic or Service Passports are exempt.
5. Proof of adequate funds.
5a. Bank Statement for the past two months.
5b. Bank cards can be cashed in Ukraine, along with an account balance statement.
Holders of diplomatic or service passports are exempt.
6. Receipt of paid visa fee
Additional Requirements for Ukraine Visa
If you’re a citizen from a country that can apply through the eVisa platform, you must include the following requirements:
1. Letter of Invitation from a company in Ukraine. The letter must be written on the official letterhead of the company.
1a. The letter must contain the company’s Unified State Registry number,, which all Ukrainian companies have.
1c. The letter must contain details about you and what you’re coming to do in Ukraine.
2. Letter from your employer or sponsor (if any) to confirm that they will take care of your expenses.
How to Apply for a Ukraine Business eVisa?
For countries that can apply online for a Ukraine Business Visa, please do the following:
1. Register on the eVisa platform and fill out the visa application form. You can find this on the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
2. Upload all the required documents electronically.
3. Pay the Visa fee through your debit or credit card. The visa fee is $85. Besides, this is a non-refundable fee, no matter the outcome of your application.
4. Wait for the visa to be processed. It takes nine business days for this to happen.
5. You will receive an electronic copy of your visa. Please, print it out and show the immigration officer when you get to Ukraine.
Don’t forget to take all the copies of the uploaded documents and your eVisa. The immigration officer can turn you back at border control if you don’t have these.
How to Apply for a Ukraine Visa in your country
If you must apply physically for a Ukraine Business Visa, please do the following:
1. Register online and complete the online application form. You will receive information about the Ukrainian embassy or consulate where you must go to apply physically.
2. Print out the online application form which you have completed. Then, gather the required documents and submit them to the embassy you have been assigned to in your country.
3. Find out their preferred method of document submission from the embassy or consulate.
4. Depending on your response, you may go for an interview and submit the documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the validity period of the Ukraine Business Visa?
The Ukraine Business Visa is valid for thirty days in sixty days. This is because it is a short-stay visa. Also, the business visa s a single entry visa. This means that although it is valid for 60 days, you can only get into Ukraine once in the 60 days.
How long does it take to get the Ukraine Business Visa?
The Ukraine eVisa takes about ten working days from the day of submission. It can be less, but you will have to pay double for the speed.
However, for the countries that have to apply physically at the Ukraine embassy, the process may take longer, maybe 20 working days.
What are the advantages of using the eVisa system to apply for a Ukraine Business Visa?
There are many advantages of using the evisa system of application:
- You must not apply from your country of residence. This means you can apply from anywhere in the world.
- You can start and finish the process in a short time, provided you have the required documents to upload.
- You can pay online.
- You will receive your visa online too.
Can I get an extension for my Ukraine Business Visa?
The Ukraine Business Visa is for a maximum of 30 days. However, if there is a valid reason why you must extend your period of stay in Ukraine, you will apply at the local migration office in Ukraine before your visa expires.
Can I work with my Ukraine Business Visa?
No. You are not permitted to find employment with your Ukraine Business Visa. There is a work visa for this purpose. More importantly, you will need a residence permit to work in Ukraine. A business visa does not come with a permit because it is a short-stay visa.
Conclusion
Although a temporary crisis presently rocks Ukraine, it is still possible to obtain a business visa to the country. Ukraine’s eVisa platform makes the visa application process easy, and with a short-stay business visa, you can travel to the country in no time. Bear in mind that. Like all short-stay visas, the Ukraine Business Visa is valid for thirty days. However, if you must extend your stay due to extreme circumstances, you must apply to the local immigration office before your vis expires. So, visit Ukraine today and enjoy the beautiful historical sites that still make visitors gaze in wonder.
Here’s a link to the step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Ukraine Short-Term Visa.
