Kyiv

[Kozerog]

The main issue for Sorboone is residency. That, too, can be somewhat overcome but, and that is a huge BUT, he would need to invest at least 100,000 euros or dollars before that issue comes into play.

That's not true. You do not need to invest $100 K to start a company and then get a working visa as director of that company. Only about $3000 startup costs for first 3 years, then possibly a few thousand more each year in ongoing costs, so somewhere between $1000 and $2500 per year total, for first 3 years, less thereafter. This is a forum about mongering, not expat life, so I'm not going to go into more details.

[PhotoSlider]

- persons who arrive for treatment in health care institutions of Ukraine.

What is considered "treatment"?

Can I come in because of my back pain? Or for colonoscopy? Or because I have migraines? Or for an extensive diagnostics that forces me to spend 90 days in Ukraine with a team of nurses, therapists and maids assigned on a 24 x7 basis?

There are so many health conditions that are not contagious, and cannot be checked by the airport immigration officers.

Would it require a special type of visa? I suppose one cannot say at the border that he arrived as a tourist. Then what sort of regulations apply?

[Questner]

https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/uryad...eriod-obmezhen

LOL, don't you ever think of becoming a Director in Ukraine, please.

Government singles out certain categories of foreign citizens who will be able to enter Ukraine during the restricted period.

Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 27 August 2020 20:21.

Emergency.

Restrictions on the entry of foreign citizens into the territory of Ukraine will be put in place starting from 00:00 on August 28 to 00:00 on September 28.

The Government at an extraordinary meeting on August 27 amended the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of July 22,2020 №641 "On the introduction of quarantine and the stepping up anti-epidemic measures in the area with a significant spread of acute respiratory disease COVID-19 caused by coronavirus SARS -CoV-2".

It was also decided to annul as unimplemented the resolution on amendments to Resolution №641, adopted on August 26.

In order to prevent the spread of the second wave of acute respiratory disease COVID-19 on the territory of Ukraine, there was made a decision to introduce temporary restrictions on entry into Ukraine for foreigners.

At the same time, certain categories of foreign citizens will have the right to enter the territory of Ukraine during the period of temporary restrictions. Also, in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, the Head of the State Border Guard Service may make additional decisions on the controlled passage of foreigners across the state border.

According to the Government decision the following categories of foreign citizens are not subject to the ban on entry to Ukraine:

- persons who are spouses or children of Ukrainian citizens;.

- persons who have an official valid work permit in Ukraine;.

- technical specialists who arrive in Ukraine at the invitation of representatives of Ukrainian enterprises;.

- transit passengers who have documents confirming departure abroad within two days;.

- person who arrive in the country for training purposes;.

- persons who are serving in the Armed Forces;.

- persons who have permanent or temporary residence permit in Ukraine;.

- persons who are heads and members of official delegations of foreign states, employees of international organizations, as well as persons accompanying them and entering Ukraine at the invitation of the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

- persons who are drivers and / or crew members of freight vehicles, buses engaged in regular transportation, crew members of aircraft, ships and river vessels, members of train and locomotive crews;.

- cultural figures who arrive at the invitation of a cultural institution together with one person accompanying each of them;.

- persons who arrive to participate in official sports competitions held in Ukraine, and accompanying persons;.

- persons who carry out transportation of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation;.

- persons who arrive for treatment in health care institutions of Ukraine.

These categories of foreign nationals must have an insurance policy to cover possible costs associated with COVID-19 treatment and observation (issued by an insurance company with a representative office in Ukraine).

The following categories of foreigners will also be able to enter the territory of Ukraine:

- persons who are recognized as refugees or persons in need of additional protection;.

- persons who are diplomats, employees of consular posts, missions of official international missions, organizations accredited in Ukraine, and members of their families or are persons who arrive at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;.

- persons who are instructors of the armed forces of NATO member states and member states of the NATO "Partnership for Peace" program, who take part in training events for units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or arrive at the invitation of the Ministry of Defence.

[Sorbonne]

Seems that there is a new theory about the foreign tourist inbound shutdown. September / early October is the time for the annual celebration of the Jewish Rosh Hashanah holiday. Every year more than 30,000 Hasisdim come to Ukraine to visit the grave of their spiritual founder in Uman, Ukraine. It is believed this shutdown is designed to keep them out, or as many as possible and this was also at the request of the Israeli authorities. This year the holiday is from September 18 to September 20. This was done to keep them from spreading the virus further in Ukraine. By making this a total foreigner lock down, the government could not be totally accused of discrimination.

I see.

Now I finally see the relevance of Jojo's latest post.

[Jojosun]

And.

The kind of Public event held annually in Uman to celebrate The Jewish New Year.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aDA49YXELUo

https://112.international / politics / ukraine-bans-hasidim-pilgrims-from-visiting-uman-in-2020-53970. Html.

More dramas at Ukraine Airports.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/fuming...tanyahu-again/

The Arabs were let through at once, but when they saw someone with a beard and sidecurls they told him to wait," Moshe Grisin said, according to Channel 12. "They started taking us for individual conversations; they wanted to hear us say 'Uman' and then they wouldn't let us in. ".

He said some 30 people had been held at the airport for more than 12 hours, without kosher food, leading one man to faint. He said they suffered some violence, and that their phones were taken away when they attempted to film it. Other eyewitnesses said some were held behind barbed wire.

Grisin added that the airport officials filled out forms on their behalf saying they were willing to return to Israel.

[Uke Boy]

You can legally get residency visa for Ukraine by starting a business, then hiring yourself as the director. But there's a boatload of steps involved, so a lawyer is a must. Cost is around $1000/ year (assuming upfront costs spread over 3 years) with lawyer I consulted, but his plan involved some legal "creativity". Without the creativity, maybe $2500/ year. Main problem now is that you have to leave Ukraine to get visa D at a consulate, which might be closed and who knows what delays are like now, plus you might be denied for some reason and then what? Simpler to just overstay the tourist visa and ask pardon upon exit because of exceptional circumstances.

By and large, you can open a business here in Ukraine without too many issues. There are a few pain in the ass issues but they can be overcome with local legal assistance. The main issue for Sorboone is residency. That, too, can be somewhat overcome but, and that is a huge BUT, he would need to invest at least 100,000 euros or dollars before that issue comes into play.

The incompetent president Zelensky earlier this year said he wanted to make it easier for foreigners to live and invest in Ukraine Nice words, no actions, given he and his party basically control the government, for now. Lots of huge disappointment all around from the locals who voted for Zelensky and his stooges.

[Uke Boy]

I wonder what would happen if I try to walk across the land border between Ukraine and Poland. I leave Ukraine and a few hundred meters away in Poland I am denied to enter. Then what? Put in jail? In which country?

They will send you back to Ukraine. Now, you are in no man's land. How great is that?

You could try, as you said earlier, try talking with a border guard and make a deal. Bribing or trying to bribe Ukrainian border guards may very well land you in a Ukrainian jail and prison camp for a few years. It has happened to others who tried to bribe their way in and it is not worth it. They love making examples of people who try and evade the law, and an American would suit their purposes just fine. Just like Mahmoud, who could end up your camp prison bunk-mate. Plus, you will never again be allowed back in Ukraine. NEVER. Is that worth the risk?

Don't be stupid. Wait it out here. What's the problem unless you need to leave for other reasons? Overstaying and then paying a maximum of 5100 grivna or $185 seems to me no big deal. It is a civil and not a criminal penalty.

Seems that there is a new theory about the foreign tourist inbound shutdown. September / early October is the time for the annual celebration of the Jewish Rosh Hashanah holiday. Every year more than 30,000 Hasisdim come to Ukraine to visit the grave of their spiritual founder in Uman, Ukraine. It is believed this shutdown is designed to keep them out, or as many as possible and this was also at the request of the Israeli authorities. This year the holiday is from September 18 to September 20. This was done to keep them from spreading the virus further in Ukraine. By making this a total foreigner lock down, the government could not be totally accused of discrimination.

So, Sorbonne, relax and wait it out for another month and see what happens. I think that there might be one or two or more pretties you can find where you are to occupy you in the meantime.

[Sorbonne]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about the validity of the local immigration office, too, actually.

But it was the US Embassy website where I read that I should contact the local immigration office. You know the reality more than they do!

I'm starting to wonder if there is any visa I can apply for that gives me right to stay here for several months. This is because, say, if I want to go to Poland for 3 months and leave Ukraine but am unexpectedly denied entry, I want to come back to Ukraine immediately, but I'm afraid Ukraine won't let me in, resulting in having to go back to the US!

Maybe when I fly out of Kiev, I should ask at the Passport Control if I can come back in case of denied entry, or even make a deal. This may be easier at land borders.

I wonder what would happen if I try to walk across the land border between Ukraine and Poland. I leave Ukraine and a few hundred meters away in Poland I am denied to enter. Then what? Put in jail? In which country?

[Kozerog]

You can legally get residency visa for Ukraine by starting a business, then hiring yourself as the director. But there's a boatload of steps involved, so a lawyer is a must. Cost is around $1000/ year (assuming upfront costs spread over 3 years) with lawyer I consulted, but his plan involved some legal "creativity". Without the creativity, maybe $2500/ year. Main problem now is that you have to leave Ukraine to get visa D at a consulate, which might be closed and who knows what delays are like now, plus you might be denied for some reason and then what? Simpler to just overstay the tourist visa and ask pardon upon exit because of exceptional circumstances.

[Uke Boy]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about the validity of the local immigration office, too, actually.

But it was the US Embassy website where I read that I should contact the local immigration office. You know the reality more than they do!

I'm starting to wonder if there is any visa I can apply for that gives me right to stay here for several months. This is because, say, if I want to go to Poland for 3 months and leave Ukraine but am unexpectedly denied entry, I want to come back to Ukraine immediately, but I'm afraid Ukraine won't let me in, resulting in having to go back to the US!

Maybe when I fly out of Kiev, I should ask at the Passport Control if I can come back in case of denied entry, or even make a deal. This may be easier at land borders.

The VERY LAST place you should go to for advice of any kind related to anything here in Ukraine is the US embassy, a group of useless know-nothings. They will definitely steer you wrong. What most people do here is ask about, asking others standing in the same lines about what they know or their experiences or for some advice. Unfortunately, for you, this is a problem.

If you want to know how to renew or extend a visa, here is a link to a local lawyer's site. Reading it will likely depress you, though. https://prikhodko.com.ua/en/how-to-r...sa-to-ukraine/.

[IdiotSavant]

@Sorbonne: If you leave Ukraine now, after having been here for 90+ days on a tourist visa, you will almost certainly not be allowed back until 90 days has passed. Regardless of what any border guard says. So be absolutely sure Poland will let you in. Otherwise, you may be stuck in the airport indefinitely until you can buy a ticket to a country that will accept you, such as Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia currently. Or a ticket back to the USA.

Originally they were discussing a ban of red zone countries in respect to infection rates. Hours after a blanket ban was initiated that will likely go into effect tomorrow.

I opted to not get a flight in today. I am simply unprepared and didn't expect this.

My big question now is "What's next?" Will they ban red zone countries after this one month subsides or perhaps extend the ban of all foreigners? I don't feel anyone knows even the Ukrainian government but I can't assume this will be good economically for them also considering they are shutting down music venues and clubs. Economically I hope it doesn't hurt the local people but I am appreciative of a better currency exchange rate.

I feel its relatively likely within the next couple of months that infections in the US will decline and that Ukraine will open back up but it could go either way. Right now scientists are expecting rolling hotspots to become the "new normal" in the US but given Fall is coming up no one really knows.

[Sorbonne]

@Sorbonne: If you leave Ukraine now, after having been here for 90+ days on a tourist visa, you will almost certainly not be allowed back until 90 days has passed. Regardless of what any border guard says. So be absolutely sure Poland will let you in. Otherwise, you may be stuck in the airport indefinitely until you can buy a ticket to a country that will accept you, such as Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia currently. Or a ticket back to the USA.

Thanks for info, but that is why I was talking about applying for a visa. Some countries offer visas for freelancers or digital nomads, or if you have a Master or Ph. D, but perhaps not Ukraine.

Turkey accepts Americans? OK, I'll go there and mingle with Syrian refugee girls.

[Kozerog]

@Sorbonne: If you leave Ukraine now, after having been here for 90+ days on a tourist visa, you will almost certainly not be allowed back until 90 days has passed. Regardless of what any border guard says. So be absolutely sure Poland will let you in. Otherwise, you may be stuck in the airport indefinitely until you can buy a ticket to a country that will accept you, such as Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia currently. Or a ticket back to the USA.

[Sorbonne]

Like anything else in this country, the rules are always set by the bureaucrat you have the misfortune to meet up with at any particular time and day. What the local immigration officer says may not be what the border guard will tell you when you get to passport control. I have had three different bureaucrats in three different offices at three different locations of the same government agency tell me three different things! And not one of them was ultimately right when the issue was resolved with a fourth office which was the correct one.

It is always best to be prepared for the worst, which in the case of overstaying the 90 days, can be a fine of up to 5,100 grivna or about $185. And the fine can also be less depending on the mood of the officer. It can also be paid on the spot by credit card!

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about the validity of the local immigration office, too, actually.

But it was the US Embassy website where I read that I should contact the local immigration office. You know the reality more than they do!

I'm starting to wonder if there is any visa I can apply for that gives me right to stay here for several months. This is because, say, if I want to go to Poland for 3 months and leave Ukraine but am unexpectedly denied entry, I want to come back to Ukraine immediately, but I'm afraid Ukraine won't let me in, resulting in having to go back to the US!

Maybe when I fly out of Kiev, I should ask at the Passport Control if I can come back in case of denied entry, or even make a deal. This may be easier at land borders.

[Uke Boy]

I think this one is it:

https://dmsu.gov.ua/en-home/6859/pec...ne-period.html

This one does not specifically say that you must have been here when the quarantine started on March 16.

But in any case I have been in contact with the local immigration office that tells me I have 30 days to leave after the quarantine ends.

Like anything else in this country, the rules are always set by the bureaucrat you have the misfortune to meet up with at any particular time and day. What the local immigration officer says may not be what the border guard will tell you when you get to passport control. I have had three different bureaucrats in three different offices at three different locations of the same government agency tell me three different things! And not one of them was ultimately right when the issue was resolved with a fourth office which was the correct one.

It is always best to be prepared for the worst, which in the case of overstaying the 90 days, can be a fine of up to 5,100 grivna or about $185. And the fine can also be less depending on the mood of the officer. It can also be paid on the spot by credit card!