Ukraine may tighten control over foreigners entering the country
15 August 2024 02:17
Ukraine is planning to introduce a system of electronic notification of intent to enter the country for foreigners who enjoy the right to enter the country without a visa. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the press service of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
An interagency meeting was held under the chairmanship of NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko to discuss the implementation of NSDC decisions aimed at strengthening control over the entry and exit of foreigners and stateless persons and their compliance with the rules of stay in Ukraine.
It was proposed to strengthen border and migration control for the duration of martial law. To this end, the NSDC proposes to compile a list of countries that have a visa-free regime with Ukraine and whose citizens will be required to submit an electronic notification of their intention to enter Ukraine in accordance with the established procedure.
“The participants of the meeting noted that the issue of the need to adapt Ukrainian legislation to EU legislation by developing and submitting to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a draft law on the introduction of a system of electronic notification of intention to enter Ukraine for citizens of countries enjoying the right to enter the territory of our state without a visa is becoming increasingly important,” the National Security Council explained.
Ukraine may also create a mechanism to ban entry for foreigners whose stay in the country is undesirable for reasons of national security.
It should be noted that Ukraine has a visa-free regime with 148 countries – their citizens do not need to obtain a visa before visiting Ukraine. These countries include the EU, Japan, Kuwait, the USA, Uruguay, Israel and others.
Citizens of visa-free countries have the right to stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Citizens of other 53 countries and stateless persons can obtain an e-Visa by remotely submitting the necessary documents on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To do this, you need to fill in a questionnaire, upload a photo and scanned copies of documents (passport, invitation, etc.) and pay a consular fee.
