A government order restricting the term visitors from Western nations can remain in Ukraine visa-free to 90 days has confused many visitors and expats
For the past two years, Annamarie has lived and taught English in a Cherkassy university on a volunteer basis, all the while without a visa.
Relaxed restrictions, decreed by President Viktor Yushchenko in July 2005, required that she merely cross the border and re-enter Ukraine every 90 days, which she did five times through Poland.
Today, she’s concerned with a July Cabinet of Ministers order, which restricts the term visitors from Western nations can remain in Ukraine visa-free to 90 days within a 180-day period, could derail her classes.
“This is my gift to Ukraine,” said Annamarie, 68, who has taught more than 200 students.
“I am giving my help to anybody who wants to learn 21st-century English. My students are excited to learn, and this new rule threatens what I’m doing.”
In the last several weeks, expatriates living extendedly in Ukraine have begun scrambling to apply for visas they didn’t need earlier, as the 90th day since their last border crossing began to approach.
In Annamarie’s case, her 90-day period will expire on Dec. 12. She hasn’t yet decided whether she will return to the US or apply for a visa and try to stay in Ukraine.
Others are traveling to cities in neighboring countries, such as Krakow, Poland and Prague, Czech Republic, because expatriates can only obtain visas outside Ukraine’s borders.
Lack of enforcement
In the months since the controversial July decree, many expatriates haven’t been sure whether they should bother obtaining the visas, partly because they’ve heard conflicting reports on whether the State Border Service of Ukraine is even enforcing the new restrictions.
“There is a lot of contradictory information regarding the law, and people have different perceptions,” said Canadian Phillip McGinn, 26.
“Some people have been easily able to cross the border even though they’ve been here for 90 days, while others have been turned away.”
It remains unclear whether the decree is being actively enforced by the State Border Service, which did not respond to inquiries by the Post.
McGinn said his English-teaching colleagues crossed the Moldovan border in recent weeks and re-entered Ukraine without any hassles from guards.
“No one mentioned to them they had only five days left in the country, and they were given another 90-day stamp,” he said.
Part of the confusion also stems from conflicting information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
When examining his options, expatriate Jerry Schoeberlein, 46, considered applying for a business visa at the Ukrainian Consulate in Chicago, where he planned to be for the holidays.
The Chicago Ukrainian Consulate’s website stated the 180-day restriction was part of the president’s July 2005 decree, leading him to believe that the Border Service hasn’t been enforcing the rule for two years.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Post that the information on its Chicago Consulate website is erroneous.
The July 1, 2005 decree allowed visa-free visits to Ukraine for 90 days, without any 180-day restriction.
Expatriates said they are puzzled why the Ukrainian government would suddenly place harsher restrictions on visitors from wealthy countries, after relaxing the rule for two years.
McGinn speculated the Russian-leaning government led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych wants to restrict the Western presence in Ukraine, since it was his government that passed the July 11 decree.
However, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Andriy Deschytsia said the new restrictions aren’t related to domestic politics, though he declined to state which government agency initiated the 180-day rule.
The new measures, which he described as a “concretization,” are merely the Ukrainian government’s decision to bring its visa policies in line with those imposed on Ukrainian citizens by the nations of North America, Europe and Japan.
While Westerners can still enter Ukraine for 90 days visa-free, Ukrainian citizens can’t enter any Western countries without a visa, Deschytsia said.
The president’s July 2005 decree was a “gesture of good will, for which Ukraine received nothing in return” from other governments, Deschytsia said on Nov. 6.
“This is a step by the Ukrainian government toward applying those rules that Western countries apply to Ukrainians,” he said.
If Westerners are dissatisfied with the new restrictions, “then please lobby your governments to simplify visa regimes for Ukrainian citizens visiting your countries,” he advised.
Ukraine less attractive
To apply for and obtain student, business or tourist visas, expatriates must travel to foreign consulates or embassies. Poland and the Czech Republic have emerged as popular options. The TryUkraine.com website specifically recommended Krakow.
“The workers in the Krakow, Poland consulate are cooperative and will have the visa done within a few hours if you visit them in person,” the website reported.
“There are almost never lines, but be the first to be waiting at the door in the morning.”
Some expatriates reported non-responsiveness from consulates for Internet requests, and Deschytsia acknowledged that applying for a visa via the Internet won’t go very far.
“If you present your visa application supported by all the necessary documents to obtain a visa, then our consulates can’t deny a visa,” he said.
“If you don’t receive a visa, or consulate staff doesn’t respond to questions, then direct your complaints to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ call center.” The center’s number in Kyiv is 238-1550.
McGinn said he plans to visit the Krakow Consulate in mid-November and learned that processing a visa application should take no longer than a single business day.
The added hassle of obtaining a visa will make Ukraine a less attractive option for Westerners wishing to teach English abroad, or engage in charity work for example, expatriates say.
But forcing visitors, such as English-language teachers, to get business visas will also make it difficult to work in Ukraine without official employment papers. The measure could force many foreigners working in Ukraine to pay taxes in the country, as they will now need to get business visas, which require proof of employment.
“It’s certainly something that would cause someone considering staying here for an extended period to go elsewhere instead of getting a visa,” McGinn said.
Though Annamarie could apply for a visa, she hasn’t decided whether it’s worth the effort to travel to an overseas consulate.
Furthermore, Cherkassy State Technological University staff informed her they don’t sponsor visas for visiting teachers. Her next semester was slated to begin next February.
“I’m not here to abase anybody or cause trouble,” Annamarie said. “I’m here to help, so why not make it easy for me? Look at me as an asset to this country.”
