Visiting in fiancé in Ukraine - is it permitted?

[frodolives 7]

I’m just wondering if anyone has any information. Is going through customs in Ukraine as difficult as it is in the US? I’m worried that if I say I’m visiting my fiancé, they’ll automatically think I’m going to overstay or something. Of course, I will be completely honest about my plans. I’ve heard Americans can stay for up to 90 days...I’ll be there for 60. But I just want to know if this might be a problem. We’ve faced so many obstacles trying to see each other, and the last thing I want is to be turned around at the airport haha. 

[millefleur 5,035]

Here's from info from Ukrainian Airlines, who I suspect would be a good source:

 

https://www.flyuia.com/us/en/information/travel-recommendations#question2

[frodolives 7]

7 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Here's from info from Ukrainian Airlines, who I suspect would be a good source:

 

https://www.flyuia.com/us/en/information/travel-recommendations#question2

Thank you for your response. 
 

I am aware of the regulations due to covid, and that I’ll need covid health insurance among other things. I am just asking if there will be a problem when I say I’m going to be meeting a guy and will stay for 60 days. Are they as strict as USA border agents with such things? 

[millefleur 5,035]

16 minutes ago, frodolives said:

Thank you for your response. 
 

I am aware of the regulations due to covid, and that I’ll need covid health insurance among other things. I am just asking if there will be a problem when I say I’m going to be meeting a guy and will stay for 60 days. Are they as strict as USA border agents with such things? 

Not familiar with Ukraine, so I'll tag some of the active members who might be: @Lena and Igor @gregcrs2 @Ksenia_O @Myroslava

[frodolives 7]

2 hours ago, millefleur said:

Not familiar with Ukraine, so I'll tag some of the active members who might be: @Lena and Igor @gregcrs2 @Ksenia_O @Myroslava

Thank you!

[gregcrs2 1,777]

6 hours ago, frodolives said:

I’m just wondering if anyone has any information. Is going through customs in Ukraine as difficult as it is in the US? I’m worried that if I say I’m visiting my fiancé, they’ll automatically think I’m going to overstay or something. Of course, I will be completely honest about my plans. I’ve heard Americans can stay for up to 90 days...I’ll be there for 60. But I just want to know if this might be a problem. We’ve faced so many obstacles trying to see each other, and the last thing I want is to be turned around at the airport haha. 

They are not strict like in the US at all when it comes to western foreigners.  If asked what is the reason for your visit, just say "tourism".  Best not to volunteer any information. A couple of side notes, winter is not the time of year to be visiting Ukraine.  May/June would be the best time of year.  Also, if I understand correctly, your fiancé is Russian and of military age.  He is likely going to have a difficult time if even possible to get into Ukraine.      

[Lena and Igor 5]

Thanks, it’s my wife I am talking about.  Mew US Citizen, we plan on retiring in Ukraine sometime in 3022, hopefully when it is safer. Question remains the same...what passport should she use leaving the US, transiting to Amsterdam then entering Kyiv?

[Myroslava 21]

Yes, I agree, passport control is not very strict here in Ukraine. But you should make some preparations. All travelers should have insurance that covers covid-19 and you need to do testing upon arrival ( there is a laboratory at Boryspil airport)

 

https://visitukraine.today/ Our government created this website for tourists. Very helpful. You can also buy your insurance here. 

Edited January 29, 2021 by Myroslava

[frodolives 7]

6 hours ago, Myroslava said:

Yes, I agree, passport control is not very strict here in Ukraine. But you should make some preparations. All travelers should have insurance that covers covid-19 and you need to do testing upon arrival ( there is a laboratory at Boryspil airport)

 

https://visitukraine.today/ Our government created this website for tourists. Very helpful. You can also buy your insurance here. 

Thank you for your response. I feel relieved lol. Yes, I will be buying insurance. I’ve visited the website and it’s extremely helpful. I’ll also be departing from jfk airport where I can get a PCR test result within 2-3 hours that I can present at the border to avoid isolation. I know there are a few extra steps and documents I will need to have with me, but I actually feel like Ukraine is more tourist friendly with their regulations than some of the other countries have been. Thanks everyone for your answers! 

13 hours ago, gregcrs2 said:

They are not strict like in the US at all when it comes to western foreigners.  If asked what is the reason for your visit, just say "tourism".  Best not to volunteer any information. A couple of side notes, winter is not the time of year to be visiting Ukraine.  May/June would be the best time of year.  Also, if I understand correctly, your fiancé is Russian and of military age.  He is likely going to have a difficult time if even possible to get into Ukraine.      

Thank you for responding! I’ll keep all this in mind, nothing is set in stone yet. 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,078]

13 hours ago, Lena and Igor said:

Thanks, it’s my wife I am talking about.  Mew US Citizen, we plan on retiring in Ukraine sometime in 3022

Good luck on that 🤣

[Lena and Igor 5]

Sorry, meant 2022.  Haha. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,319]

In winter 2018 I spent 2 months with my fiance.  At border control I said I was entering as a tourist/visiting.  I was stopped when leaving baggage claim with "nothing to declare" because of my large suitcase (and for being an obvious westerner).

 

The customs officer asked how long I was planning on being in Ukraine - I said two months.  He mentioned that it must be nice to take such a long time off from work, but he didn't otherwise question my presence in Ukraine. They let me continue on after scanning my suitcase in the xray machine.

 

[TastyCake 232]

You will be faced with people in military garb who are only there to make sure you download the Dii Vdoma app.  I had tech problems as I was not getting the code back to confirm my account in that app.  After some discussion I was led to Customs who stamped my passport and then I got the test and set something up with someone at one of the tables there to get updates.  I think it was < 24 hours when I was informed my test was negative so Dii Vdoma was no longer necessary.

 

Ukraine, and Ukrainians, like people from the USA.  I have found them to be very helpful and friendly.

 

Your passport gets you 90 days there every 180 so stays of 90 days or less are perfectly fine.  No problems whatsoever.  They are happy to have you.

 

Yes, you need special health insurance and can buy online at visitukraine.today.  VERY affordable and the payment flow, though not slick like PayPal, works.  Best to have a gmail address (they recommend it) because you will get a code to confirm payment via email and it doesn't seem to work consistently for other popular domains like Yahoo.

[Lena and Igor 5]

Thank you!  Great insight.  When COVID is less viral, my wife and I will be moving to Kharkiv.  Perhaps in a yr or two. 

[frodolives 7]

On 2/17/2021 at 2:59 PM, TastyCake said:

You will be faced with people in military garb who are only there to make sure you download the Dii Vdoma app.  I had tech problems as I was not getting the code back to confirm my account in that app.  After some discussion I was led to Customs who stamped my passport and then I got the test and set something up with someone at one of the tables there to get updates.  I think it was < 24 hours when I was informed my test was negative so Dii Vdoma was no longer necessary.

 

Ukraine, and Ukrainians, like people from the USA.  I have found them to be very helpful and friendly.

 

Your passport gets you 90 days there every 180 so stays of 90 days or less are perfectly fine.  No problems whatsoever.  They are happy to have you.

 

Yes, you need special health insurance and can buy online at visitukraine.today.  VERY affordable and the payment flow, though not slick like PayPal, works.  Best to have a gmail address (they recommend it) because you will get a code to confirm payment via email and it doesn't seem to work consistently for other popular domains like Yahoo.

Thank you for your response! I found the contact information for WhatsApp on visitukrainetoday...and they told me that if I come with a negative PCR test that was taken 48 hours before entering the country, then I won’t need to download the app or go into isolation. So that’s a big relief! I can have the test taken at JFK before departure. It takes 2-3 hours to get results, according to what I’ve read. Big relief.