How to make an invitation for a foreign fiancé to Ukraine: Visit Ukraine lawyers explain

Are you planning to invite a foreign partner to Ukraine? Read our article to find out everything you need to know about a private invitation. Find out how to draw up a notarized invitation, who can issue it, and what documents are required at the border using the example of a real request to the VU migration lawyers team

Get legal assistance on entry, stay and legalization of foreigners in Ukraine

GET

Many foreigners who plan a short-term trip to Ukraine with their Ukrainian partners turn to our legal team with the same question: how to properly arrange a private visit and avoid problems at the border? Here is a real case from our lawyers:

Query: I am a citizen of Ukraine living in Indonesia (resident visa), planning a visit to Ukraine with my fiancé (Italian citizen living in Indonesia, resident visa). The purpose of the trip: to meet the family, engagement. I am interested in the procedure for issuing a guest invitation for him:

▪︎ is it true that an Italian citizen does not need a visa, only an invitation?

▪︎ what documents do I need to provide?

▪︎ is it possible to issue an invitation online, or is it necessary to be physically present at a notary?

▪︎ if physical presence is required, then my mother will draw up the invitation - what is required from her?

▪︎ is it true that the invitation letter must be sent by international mail and cross the border with the original?

▪︎ do I need financial certificates to cross the border?

▪︎ what else is important to know?

Our lawyers answered all her questions in detail - and now we are sharing this information with you.

How to make a private invitation to visit Ukraine in 2025 - legal advice from Visit Ukraine

In this article, we will explain in detail how to obtain a notarized private invitation, what documents are required for this and how to prepare for entry based on a written consultation with Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers.

Do EU citizens (e.g., Italy) need a visa to visit Ukraine?

No, they do not. Citizens of EU countries, including Italy, can stay in Ukraine without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, visa-free entry does not mean trouble-free entry - border guards have the right to demand confirmation of the purpose of the visit, the conditions of stay and financial solvency.

Do I need a guest invitation to enter Ukraine on a visa-free basis?

It is not mandatory, but it is recommended, especially if the trip lasts several days and the purpose is a private visit. An invitation can simplify border control by confirming that a person is traveling to visit a specific Ukrainian citizen.

Who can issue an invitation?

An invitation can be issued by:

● you personally (if you are present in Ukraine)

● your mother (as a citizen of Ukraine residing in Ukraine).

In addition, there is an option to try to make an invitation in the host country (Indonesia), but it will not be faster, better, or cheaper. Therefore, the best solution is to issue an invitation through a relative.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Documents for issuing an invitation to Ukraine

To notarize an invitation letter (by a relative), you need:

● Passport of a citizen of Ukraine;

● TIN (identification number);

● Information about the invitee: Full name in Latin, date of birth, citizenship, passport series and number, address of residence, purpose of visit, duration of stay, route of entry/exit.

By the way, we discussed the liability for inviting a foreigner to Ukraine in our previous article.

Is it possible to issue an invitation to Ukraine online?

An invitation letter is issued only physically by a notary in Ukraine, and there is no online option. If you are not in Ukraine, it is better to issue an invitation through a relative (mother).

Do I need to send the original invitation?

Yes. The original notarized invitation must be presented at the border. Therefore, it must be:

● be issued in advance (so that it arrives in Indonesia in time);

● send it via international mail (for example, DHL or Nova Poshta Global). Our lawyers often use Global Post (delivery to any corner of the world is quite fast).

Do I need financial or other supporting documents when entering Ukraine?

Yes, it is recommended:

● availability of funds - approximately 62 euros for each day of your stay + 200-300 euros in reserve (cash or a bank statement in English will do);

● It is also advisable to have a booking for accommodation or the details of the host person, as well as return tickets.

What else is important to know before entering Ukraine?

● If it is your first visit to Ukraine, make sure that your passport has no restrictions on travel or registration in other countries; and its validity.

● The invitation is not a guarantee of entry, the final decision is made by the border guard (but you shouldn't have any problems!).

● If you are planning to get engaged, you can indicate this as an additional purpose of the trip in the invitation.

Do you need legal assistance to prepare for a trip to Ukraine?

Visit Ukraine lawyers are ready to answer all your questions about the rules of entry and stay in Ukraine, as well as help you prepare documents (visa, residence permit, work permit, etc.) for a smooth border crossing and legalization in Ukraine.

Contact our lawyers right now to get help with private invitations and other issues.

Don't leave your trip to chance - let Visit Ukraine specialists take care of the paperwork and other legal nuances.

We remind you! In the previous article, Visit Ukraine lawyers have already explained whether it is necessary to leave Ukraine to obtain a long-term type D visa for a residence permit.

Photo: Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.