Lena and Igor

Answer I was hoping for.  Thanks so much for relating your experience at the Ukrainian border control.  

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

Sorry, meant 2022.  Haha. 

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?

13 hours ago, Ksenia_O said:

Is your last name the same on both, US and UA passports?...

 

If so - then use US passport to leave and enter the US, and use Ukrainian passport to enter and leave Ukraine. That's what I do. But again - my name is the same on both documents. 

Ksenia, thank you. 

So, couldn't figure out how to place this on the Ukraine forum, sorry.  

Dual Citizen of US and Ukraine, planning to relocate there in 2022 and occasionally travel to the US.  Since dual Citizenship is forbidden in Ukraine, which passport should I use to travel to Ukraine from the US?  Furthermore, after I am in country and choose to travel to the US, which passport should I use?    

On 5/20/2017 at 7:46 AM, Lena and Igor said:

www.meest-express.com.ua

 

We live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Feel free to PM anytime. 

On 5/18/2017 at 5:38 PM, Breeze2016 said:

Thanks.  We scheduled the interview after we will get the TB results.

We were glad that my then fiancée scheduled her interview 3 weeks after her medical exam.  Because of the findings on her chest X-ray, she was instructed to return the following week for 3 consecutive days of sputum tests (Cleared on day 3).  This was a bit of a hardship since she lived in Kharkov and had to return to Kiev for the additional testing.  Moral of the story: give yourself a window of time between the medical exam and the interview.  

Lena and Igor

15 hours ago, millefleur said:

You can probably just ship your clothes via regular mail. Or consider buying a second piece of luggage on your flight, check whichever option will be cheaper.

www.meest-express.com.ua

Russian, Ukrainian or English language is acceptable. No worries if all her ducks are in a row.

Thanks again. Unlike your situation, we are in the very early planning stage of relocating permanently. Seems that she should become a US citizen first then take our chances of her holding both, US and Ukrainian passports. At least (she) we would have an out if things get worse in E Ukraine. I realize that I would then only be able to obtain SSA checks by monthly pick-up in Kyiv. Where did you cash SSA checks when you previously received them from the Embassy? Bank account in Kyiv?

Igor

The sad word is that Gary and Alla are no longer together, and Gary hasn't logged on to VJ in probably 3 or 4 years. He is missed.

He's missed

Michael:

Thank you! So did Ganna lose her LPR status when you emigrated to Ukraine? So I have a PNC Bank acct. If I emigrate to Kharkov with Lena, I will no longer have a US address. Will this cause problems with online banking? You said you no longer trek to Kiev to pick-up your SS check. What was the process to change to direct deposit to your bank account. How do I withdraw funds using my check card and when card expires, will bank send new card to me in Ukraine? Or should I use my sister's address as mailing address to obtain new card? Hope this all makes sense?

Obligations to Your Other Country of Citizenship

Dual nationality has no effect on your rights or your responsibilities as a U.S. citizen, or on your obligations to the United States (i.e., payment of U.S. taxes if required to do so; registration with Selective Service). The dual national may also have obligations to his or her other country of citizenship. Failure to fulfill any such obligations may have little adverse effect on the dual national as long as he or she is in the United States. However, if the dual national travels to his or her other country of citizenship, he or she may be forced to comply with those obligations. In addition, if the dual national encounters difficulties in his or her other country of citizenship, the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist the person may be very limited since the other country may not recognize the dual national's claim to U.S. citizenship.

Dual Nationality in Ukraine

Ukraine does not recognize dual nationality. Local authorities will treat dual nationals entering the country on Ukrainian passports as citizens of Ukraine. This may include fulfilling requirements for mandatory military service. In addition, individuals who do not relinquish their Ukrainian citizenship upon acquiring U.S. citizenship face potential fines.

Okay to help out on the SS check, I have set up a electronic deposit in a US bank with a debit card attached to the account. Some expats use the ATM method, but for many reasons I don't. We no longer go to the Embassy to collect our government mail.

Your wife will lose LPR status. The green card is for people who want to live in the US and is the path to citizenship. You must spend more time in the US than abroad. I do have have friends that have gone this way....The Ukrainian spouse got US citizenship, went to Ukraine to retire and both have Ukrainian PR

Just wish to know from those who have experience with a wife who is a naturalized Citizen of Ukraine and looking towards acquiring Citizenship from the US. Ramifications? Travel to Ukraine, which passport to use? Customs issues? Thanks. (Gary & Alla would know).

Let me clarify, she would lose her LPR status if and when we decide to reside/retire in Ukraine. That being said, and after my demise, she would not be eligible for spousal social security benefits. On the other hand, if she were a US citizen she could collect SS spousal benefits appearing in person at the US Embassy in Kiev monthly. Right?

Igor

Yes, my intent is to here from other Ukrainians who hold both passports.

I'm not sure how helpful that would be in this case. Laws in Eastern Europe are confusing and have a lot of loopholes, and often certain officials aren't even in the know about that. It would make more sense for the OP to talk to other Ukrainians or even a lawyer to find out exactly what possibilities exist.

Thank you for the link and text.

With the understanding that Ukraine doesn't allow dual citizenship, wondering if anyone here has found a "go around" to maintain both, a US and UA passport. Reason: future spousal social security benefits if one day we decide to retire in Ukraine. She received her 10-year GC one year ago. Thanks.

Igor

Thank you all! I wish you a smooth passage through ROC.

Igor

I don't see many of the senior VJ'ers nowadays but, I am thrilled that Lena finally received her 10-year GC a couple of weeks ago. She arrived in July, 2011 on a K1. Only 1 RFP along the way during ROC (overcome). Mild Stokes ROC interview, approval letter a month or so later. Moved to a new address and notified the USCIS online. No GC for 1 year so we InfoPassed in Detroit. IO reordered card. Next: Citizenship! Thanks all!

Igor and Lena

No duh -- honest question.

Do you have a definitive answer for me?

Duh! ?

AFAIK?