Visa to Ukraine for US citizens: when to receive and registration procedure

If you are planning a trip to Ukraine in 2025, it is important to know all the current entry and visa requirements for US citizens. Find out if US citizens need a visa to Ukraine in 2025, how to apply for a tourist or long-term visa, what documents are required, as well as insurance requirements and legal support for foreigners from Visit Ukraine

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Anyone planning a trip to Ukraine from the USA in 2025, regardless of the purpose of the trip - tourism, work or long-term stay - it is important to know the current requirements for a visa to Ukraine visa requirements for US citizens. In this article, we will tell you whether US citizens need a visa to Ukraine, how to apply for a Ukraine visa from USA, what Ukraine visa types are, what documents are required, and what additional conditions should be considered during the trip.

We talked about how to cross the border of Ukraine in 2025 in the previous article.

Do US citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine in 2025?

As of 2025, US citizens have the right to visa-free entry to Ukraine for short-term trips. That is, the answer to the question “Do US citizens need a visa for Ukraine?” is no, if you are traveling for a short period of time for tourist or private purposes.

Ukraine entry requirements for US citizens will allow them to stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This regime is suitable for: tourism, short business trips, visiting relatives, participation in cultural or sporting events.

For any longer stay or other purpose - for example, employment, study or immigration - a visa to Ukraine is required.

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When and why do Americans need a visa to Ukraine?

If you plan to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days, you will need a long-term visa (type D).

The following categories of Americans can apply for a "D" visa in Ukraine:

1. Employees - those who have received an invitation from Ukrainian employers.

2. Students - individuals who have enrolled in Ukrainian educational institutions.

3. Family reunification – relatives of Ukrainian citizens or foreigners who already have a residence permit.

4. Entrepreneurs and investors – individuals who have established a business or are investing in the economy of Ukraine.

5. Volunteers and religious figures – according to official invitations from relevant organizations.

6. Employees of diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Important! Visit Ukraine’s qualified lawyers specialize in migration law and have extensive experience working with foreign applicants. Our specialists will help you assess your situation and prepare the necessary documents, and if necessary, will accompany you at all stages of visa application. Support from migration lawyers is an important stage when applying for a type D visa in Ukraine.

Types of Ukrainian visas for US citizens

- Short-term visa (type C)

This visa is issued to foreigners whose stay does not exceed 90 days in the last 180 days. It can be obtained by Americans who plan to work or study in Ukraine for up to 90 days. A type C visa can be of two subtypes - C 01 (business visa) and C 02 (private visa).

- Long-term visa (type D)

Issued to foreigners who wish to enter Ukraine for the purpose of temporary but long-term stay, or for permanent residence. A type D visa gives foreigners the right to stay or reside in Ukraine for a period exceeding 90 days.

- Transit visa

This type of visa is issued to foreigners who intend to transit through the territory of Ukraine during a trip to a third country. A transit visa to Ukraine can be issued as a single-entry visa for a period of up to five days, or for a period of up to a year, as a double- or multiple-entry visa, provided that each entry does not exceed 5 days.

Current rules for entering Ukraine for foreigners - read the link.

How to apply for a visa to Ukraine from the USA?

Step-by-step process for applying for a Ukrainian visa to the USA

Step 1 - Determine the type of visa you need

Before submitting documents, it is important to correctly identify the purpose of your trip and the appropriate type of visa:

- Type C (short-term visa) - for a stay of up to 90 days;

- Type D (long-term visa) - for work, study, immigration;

- Transit visa - for crossing Ukraine towards a third country.

Step 2 - Register and fill out the online application for a Ukrainian visa on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

You must indicate your citizenship, purpose of travel, and the country from which you can apply. This is where you will receive information about which Ukrainian embassy, ​​consulate or visa center in this country you can apply at.

Step 3 – Prepare a complete package of documents

Depending on the type of visa, the list of documents may vary. Basically, you will need: a valid international passport, a photo of the established sample, confirmation of the purpose of the trip (for example, a work contract, an invitation from a university, an invitation letter from an individual or legal entity in Ukraine), medical insurance, confirmation of the availability of funds, return tickets or a travel itinerary.

Step 4 – Apply for a visa

After preparing the documents, you can apply in person at the Embassy or Consulate General of Ukraine in the United States (Washington, New York, San Francisco, Chicago);

Step 5 – Pay the consular fee

The amount of the fee depends on the type of visa and the urgency of processing. Payment is usually made by bank transfer. Save the payment receipt.

Step 6 – Wait for the decision and receive the visa

Where to apply for a Ukrainian visa in the United States?

Persons who require a visa must obtain it from the Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine before arriving in Ukraine. United States citizens can contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C., or the Consulates General in Chicago, New York, or San Francisco for information on current visa requirements and application procedures.

Package of documents for obtaining a Ukrainian visa

To submit documents for a D visa, you must provide:

- Passport and its copy.

- Printed and completed visa application form;

- Color photos 35 x 45 millimeters;

- Health insurance policy for the entire period of validity of the visa;

- Documents confirming the purpose of your trip, financial capabilities, place of residence, ticket reservations and other documents that may be required to consider your application;

- Documents that are the basis for obtaining a visa according to its type.

- Receipt for payment of the consular fee.

Important! Documents issued by the competent authorities of a foreign state must be legalized and translated into Ukrainian.

The consul has the authority to require additional documents, in addition to those submitted by the applicant, and reserves the right to personally interview any applicant.

After the interview, the application of a foreigner may require further administrative processing.

How long does it take to process a D visa?

The embassy considers a visa application and makes a decision on granting or refusing a visa within the following time frames:

- Urgent – ​​up to 5 business days from the date of receipt of the necessary documents. A double consular fee is charged

- Regular – up to 10 business days from the date of receipt of the necessary documents. This period may be extended to 30 business days if additional checks are necessary.

What other documents are required to travel to Ukraine in addition to a visa?

According to the requirements for a visa to Ukraine for US citizens, you will need:

1. Valid Passport

To obtain a Ukrainian visa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date from Ukraine.

2. Invitation from the host country

Depending on the purpose of the stay (work, study, family reunification), this may be:

- a contract with the employer;

- an official letter from the educational institution;

- an invitation from a family member who legally resides in Ukraine;

- documents from a charitable or volunteer organization.

3. Proof of housing

For a long-term stay, you need to provide proof of residence in Ukraine - a lease agreement, property or an invitation with an address.

4. Certificate of no criminal record

In most cases, when applying for a D visa or residence permit, an apostilled certificate of no criminal record in the USA is required.

5. Confirmation of financial capacity

You must show that you have the resources to live in Ukraine - for example, bank statements or a document of financing (scholarship, salary, etc.).

6. Medical insurance

Registration of Ukraine travel insurance for foreigners is mandatory both when applying for a visa and when obtaining a permit. For a long stay, medical insurance with war coverage Ukraine is especially relevant.

Is travel insurance required to enter Ukraine?

According to Ukrainian law, in order for foreigners to enter Ukraine, they must have an insurance policy for the entire period of their stay. This insurance must be issued by a Ukrainian insurance company or a foreign company that has an official representative office or a cooperation agreement with a Ukrainian insurance company.

Ukrainian insurance companies offer several types of insurance policies:

- Standard medical insurance covers expenses due to illness or accident.

- Insurance with war risk coverage – has medical coverage and additionally covers accidents that may occur as a result of active hostilities, passive war risks or terrorist acts.

Previously, we wrote about the current rules for obtaining insurance for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad.

Where to quickly obtain insurance in Ukraine?

The easiest and most reliable way is on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Here you can choose the type of policy you need (standard or with military coverage), pay online and instantly receive a PDF policy by e-mail.

Advantages of the Visit Ukraine service:

- Insurance policies that meet the requirements of the Border Guard Service of Ukraine;

- Affordable prices from reliable Ukrainian partners;

- 100% online registration in a few minutes;

- 24/7 support service in English;

- Thousands of foreigners have already used Visit Ukraine services.

Legal assistance with a visa or immigration to Ukraine

Applying for a visa or residence permit in Ukraine can be difficult, especially for foreigners who are first exposed to Ukrainian legislation. That is why the right legal support is not just a convenience, but often a guarantee of a successful outcome.

- When is legal assistance recommended?

Legal support is especially important in the following cases:

1. Applying for a long-term D visa;

2. Preparing documents for a temporary or permanent residence permit;

3. Extending or replacing a visa;

4. Appealing a visa refusal;

5. Receiving an official invitation to apply for a D visa;

6. Moving to Ukraine for humanitarian, educational or work purposes.

If you want to avoid bureaucracy, language barriers and long queues - choose legal support from Visit Ukraine.

Why Visit Ukraine?

Visit Ukraine is a team of experienced immigration lawyers who help citizens of the United States and other countries legally and quickly obtain documents for residence in Ukraine.

- English-speaking support

- Online consultations from any country

- Transparent payment system

- Clear instructions and turnkey support

- Thousands of satisfied customers worldwide

Useful tips for American travelers visiting Ukraine

- Safety is above all. Before traveling, be sure to check the latest information on the security situation, avoid visiting war zones, and follow the recommendations of local authorities.

- Contact the US Embassy. Keep the contacts of the embassy in Ukraine for emergencies:

Kyiv, Sikorsky str., 4

Phone: +380 44 521 5000

- Documents and insurance. Always carry your passport and proof of insurance policy that covers medical care, including war risks.

- Cash and bank cards. It is better to have some cash in hryvnias and dollars with you, as well as active international Visa or MasterCard cards.

- Transportation and transportation. Use official taxis or apps, avoid dubious routes, especially at night.

- Language and culture. Ukrainians are very hospitable, but knowing basic phrases in Ukrainian will help in communication.

- Tickets. You can buy tickets to Ukraine by plane, train or bus on the Visit Ukraine portal. See the schedule and book using the link.

- Book hotels here. Rules for renting an apartment in Ukraine for foreigners in this article.

- Car rental. To feel more mobile while traveling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car.

- Volunteering. How to come to Ukraine as a volunteer, read here.

- Souvenirs. Stylish clothes and accessories in memory of Ukraine here.

When planning a trip to Ukraine in 2025, it is important for US citizens to consider the current visa requirements for US citizens to Ukraine and entry rules. A visa is not required for short-term tourist trips, but for long-term stays, work or study, you will have to apply for the appropriate type of permit. A mandatory condition is the availability of medical insurance that covers both standard and military risks. To simplify the process of obtaining a visa and support in legal matters, we recommend using the services of Visit Ukraine specialists. Take care of yourself and travel safely!

We remind you! From the picturesque Carpathians to historical cities and the warm Black Sea - Ukraine is ready to surprise you with its hospitality, nature and unique impressions. But for the trip to be truly successful, it is important to plan it correctly. We have already told you how to properly organize a trip to Ukraine in 2025.

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 – health insurance with coverage of war risks;

Visit Ukraine Mini Hull Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Osago – compulsory motor third party liability insurance for cars with Ukrainian registration;

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.

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