The Eurovision song contest, which took place in Ukraine (in the capital Kiev) in May 2005, was the catalyst lifting the Ukraine visa requirements for citizens of USA, Canada, Japan, EU nations, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. Initially, the visa free regime was introduced temporarily to encourage freedom of travel to the contest, and to guarantee the "highest level organization of the contest". The move to open up the borders of Ukraine ties in with Ukraine's efforts to establish itself as a democratic nation that supports freedom of migration, trade, services and capital Fortunately for us, the experiment was a success, and the Yuwenko government, which is trying to push the country closer to the West, and opening up the borders by making Ukraine visa free is one way to help bring this about. Since the visa free regime was introduced in Ukraine, a much greater amount of Western tourists have been travelling to the country. We no longer need to go through the rigmarole of applying for a visa in a Ukraine embassy, filling out visa forms, paying for the visa, and taking time off to travel to the nearest Ukraine embassy to drop off the passport and then collect the Ukraine visa at a later date. It was time, expense and hassle! Such a process can be a great turn off when choosing which country to travel to. It is notable that if you want to visit an ex-Soviet country, then Ukraine is the only one that is currently visa free. To travel to neighbouring Russia, for example, you need to get a visa in advance. You are also required to get an invitation or a travel voucher in order to apply for the visa. This is not hard to do; but more time and more expense. Travelling to Ukraine is easy. You get a 3-month stamp at the border, and that is it - no fuss and no bother. The Ukraine visa freeВ regime only applies to a tourist visa. Any other visa, such as a Ukraine business visa or study visa, must be applied for in the same way as before. To obtain a Ukraine business visa, a letter of invitation is required from the appropriate Company or Organization in Ukraine. This company must be authorized by the jolly chaps at the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign and Internal Affairs. There are Ukrainian companies on the Internet that can provide invitations for a Ukraine business visa for about $30. You can find them easily through a search engine. A Ukraine business visa can last anything from 6 months to 5 years, depending on your application, how much money you want to pay, the particular embassy, and more often than not, the mood of the official giving out the Ukraine visa. This Ukraine visa is subject to one extension, but that requires aВ trip to one of the notorious state OVIR offices. Here you will experience contempt and incivility on a scale that yo've never experienced before. Not recommended! Most people do not need such a Ukraine visa, and never have to suffer through a visit to OVIR, as they come just as tourists and the 3-month stamp is more than enough. As a tourist, you will be able to get more out of your time in Ukraine if you employ the services of a tourist service provider such as AccessCrimea. To read more please go to http://www.accesscrimea.com
Ukraine Visa