Ukraine Transit Visa: Application, Requirements and Documentation
Did you know you can travel through Ukraine on your way to a different country? You can stop for a while and finish business before continuing to your final destination without having major visas. All you need to stop temporarily in Ukraine is your Ukraine Transit Visa.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe, sharing borders with Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Belarus, and Moldova. Like most countries within that region, they belong neither to the European Union nor are they part of the Schengen visa-free travel agreement. This means their visa policies differ from that of most Western European states.
So, what is a transit visa? When do you need one, and how can you get one for Ukraine? This article covers the guidelines and all you need to know to procure a Ukrainian transit visa.
About Ukraine Transit Visa
A transit visa is a visa that allows foreign travelers to stop temporarily in a country before completing their journey to the country of their destination. In most countries, this visa allows travelers to stop at the international airport for a few hours before joining a connecting flight to their destination. However, Ukraine’s validity is more than just a few hours.
The Ukraine transit visa (also known as Type B visa) is a visa that allows foreign nationals to transit through Ukraine for up to 5 days on their way to a predefined destination country. Most transit visas issued by Ukraine are valid for single entry alone. However, the country also issues transit visas with multiple-entry privileges, valid for up to a year. The multiple-entry transit visa allows foreign nationals to come into Ukraine.
Ukraine Transit Visa Exemptions
Traditionally, every foreign citizen who wants to travel through Ukrainian territory needs a Ukraine transit visa. However, certain travel agreements in most countries cover several groups and individuals. These agreements allow the said individuals to have visa-free access into Ukraine.
Most of these countries have agreements that allow them to come into Ukraine with only their national passport and stay up to 90 days at a time (of every six months). Hence, they do not need \ to obtain a Ukrainian transit visa which is only valid for five days. Some of these groups include;
- Citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA member-states and the Swiss Federation.
- Citizens of countries in the Balkan Peninsula; Albania, Bosnia (30 days), Croatia. Montenegro, North Macedonia, etc.
- South-American citizens from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, etc.
Other countries whose citizens can pass through Ukraine without a transit visa include;
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Brunei
- Canada
- Grenada
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- San Marino
- South Korea
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- the United Arab Emirates
- the United States of America
- Vatican City
Suppose your country doesn’t fall into any of the categories above. In that case, you will need a Ukraine transit visa to transit through Ukraine. Note that these benefits are only reserved for citizens of the said countries, not visa holders or residents.
Required Documents for Ukraine Transit Visa
When you apply for a transit visa to Ukraine, there are certain documents you must bring. These will help the Ukrainian embassy confirm that you only intend to travel through Ukrainian territory. The documents you’ll need to provide for the embassy include;
#1. Application Form
The Ukraine visa application form will require you to provide basic information about your travel. Through this form, the embassy will understand the reason for your travel and the type of visa you’re applying for.
#2. Passport Photograph
On your application form, you will provide a passport-size photograph of yourself, one copy, with dimensions 34mm x 45mm.
#3. National Passport
You’ll also need to present a valid travel document. You must have this document on you when you’re in another country. More importantly, it has to carry the visa of your destination country while you submit it.
For the national passport to be valid, it has to be no older than ten years, have at least two blank pages, and be valid for up to three months beyond your transit period.
#4. Travel Health Insurance
While traveling through Ukraine, policy dictates that you have medical insurance valid for the period you’ll be in the country to cover any medical emergencies. This is especially useful if you have a multiple-entry transit visa. Still, you need to get one, even for single-entry visas.
#5. Proof of Funds
Next, you should have a bank statement that proves you have enough to cover your transit time, depending on how long you intend to stay in Ukraine (five days at maximum) before you continue to your final destination.
#6. Visa Fee Receipt
Another thing you’ll need to provide at the embassy is proof of payment for the visa fee. The only exception is citizens whose countries are exempt from the Ukraine visa fee.
#7. Proof of Transit
Finally, you will also provide a document proving your intention in Ukraine. For transit purposes, you’re required to provide one of the following;
- a visa to your final destination country (contained in your national passport) and readily booked flight tickets.
- an international career license issued by your country
- relevant documents that confirm the passengers or cargo are only on transit through Ukraine
You only need to provide one of these as it applies to you.
Application Procedure for Ukraine Transit Visa
Applying for a Ukraine transit visa is not quite as challenging as any other visa. The most important part of the process is proving that you only mean to pass through Ukraine to get to another country. We’ve broken down this friendly procedure into simple steps for you to take as follows;
- Gather all the required documents as specified above.
- Fill out the application form online, print it, then sign it. Before submitting, you’ll have to choose which embassy, consulate, or visa application center you’re applying to. Best choose the one in your country or the country you’re currently in.
- Contact the embassy, consulate, or visa application center and book an appointment with them. Confirm whether you’re to pay the visa fees before coming or bring the cash there; different Ukrainian missions have other payment policies.
- On the agreed date, go with the printed, signed application form, other documents, and the visa fee or its receipt (as approved).
- Wait for the verdict.
To complete the visa application form, note that you’ll have to create an account on the application portal here.
Ukraine Transit Visa Fees and Processing Time
Ukraine transit visa takes about ten (10) working days for regular service or five working days (for expedited service). However, the latter incurs additional charges. To be safe and cover for delays, you can apply up to 30 days beforehand, but you can’t apply more than three months before your intended travel date.
The nominal Ukraine visa fee is $65 ($130 for expedited service). However, extra charges differ by country and type of applicant. See here for the full visa fee list.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. How long can you stay in Ukraine with a transit visa?
A Ukraine transit visa lets you stay in the country for a maximum of 5 days at a time. On the other hand, the single-entry transit visa lets you enter only once. Still, the multiple entry visa lets you enter multiple times. Still, only five days at a time is usually valid for a year at maximum.
#2. Can I travel to Ukraine with a Schengen visa?
No, you cannot. Ukraine is not part of the Schengen free-travel agreement nor recognizes a Schengen visa as a valid entry document. Hence, if you’re in a Schengen country and need to visit Ukraine, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa through the embassy in that country.
#3. Is Ukraine safe?
The Russo-Ukraine war that was rekindled in February 2023 makes Ukraine currently unsafe to travel to or through. Hence, if your journey will take you through Ukraine, you might consider an alternate route to avoid getting caught in the Russian invasion.
#4. What is the Ukraine e-Visa?
Ukraine e-Visa is a visa for business and tourism in Ukraine. It permits foreign nationals to stay in the country for 30 days at a time (unlike the short-stay visa, which permits 90 days).
The application process for this visa is usually done online.
#5. Can I get a visa on arrival in Ukraine?
Yes, you can get a visa on arrival in Ukraine, provided you’re coming in for business or tourism. You do not intend to stay beyond 15 days. Visa on arrival in Ukraine is available at three international airports
- Kyiv Boryspil Airport
- Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany)
- Odessa International Airport
Conclusion
The Ukraine transit visa allows you to move through the country to get to a third country. It is a good visa program that affords foreign nationals to have a fleeting experience of Ukraine while on their journey. To get this visa, take the steps outlined above. Then, download the application form to begin.
