Entry conditions for foreigners and stateless persons
Foreigners and stateless persons may enter Ukraine if they:
1) hold a valid passport document;
2) are not subject to a decision of an authorised Ukrainian state body banning their entry into Ukraine;
3) hold an entry visa, unless otherwise provided by Ukrainian law;
4) can confirm the purpose of the planned stay;
5) have sufficient financial means for the planned stay and for returning to their country of origin or travelling on to a third country.
Foreigners and stateless persons who do not meet one or more of these conditions are refused entry in accordance with Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine "On Border Control". Notarised copies of passports, birth certificates or visas do not give the right to cross the state border.
Documents for crossing the state border of Ukraine
- passport for travel abroad;
- document for return to the country of citizenship or residence (if the passport was lost in Ukraine);
- Ukrainian visa (for citizens of countries with a visa regime).
Note: an ID card does not give a foreign citizen the right to cross the state border of Ukraine. The exception is citizens of Türkiye and Georgia (since 01.03.2019), who under international agreements may enter, leave and stay in Ukraine with a valid ID card.
Entry regime by country
The current entry regime for each country is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: mfa.gov.ua. See also our page List of countries whose citizens may enter Ukraine without a visa.
Since 01.01.2019, Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine No. 525 of 06.12.2018 applies to electronic visas. It sets the e-visa category codes, the documents on which e-visas are issued and the list of countries whose citizens can obtain an e-visa. E-visa applications are submitted at evisa.mfa.gov.ua.
Registration at the border checkpoint
Registration at a border checkpoint includes an "Entry" stamp in the passport document and/or other documents provided by law, and entry of the person's data into the relevant registers. Foreigners and stateless persons who have arrived in Ukraine may stay temporarily on the basis of this registration.
Since 1 January 2018, biometric data of foreigners and stateless persons are recorded during border control (Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 256 of 30 August 2017):
- on first entry at airports and road checkpoints, fingerprints of five fingers of the right (left) hand are scanned;
- when travelling by train, the index finger is scanned directly in the carriage;
- on subsequent entries, one to four fingers are scanned.
Proof of sufficient financial means
Entry into, stay in and transit through Ukraine are allowed if the foreigner has sufficient financial means or can lawfully obtain them in Ukraine. Border guards check this selectively, during second-line control.
The required amount is set by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 884 of 4 December 2013. Sufficient means can be confirmed by:
- cash in Ukrainian hryvnias or convertible foreign currency (at the National Bank of Ukraine rate on the day of entry);
- a document stating an amount of funds that can be withdrawn at Ukrainian banks;
- an international payment card together with a bank statement (for example, from an ATM) showing the available balance;
- a booking or payment confirmation for accommodation and meals in Ukraine;
- a tour services contract (voucher);
- a letter of guarantee from the inviting party undertaking to cover all costs of the stay and departure;
- a return ticket with a fixed date to the country of citizenship, permanent residence or a third country.
In 2026 the subsistence minimum is UAH 3,209 per person per month (Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026"). Required amounts in 2026:
- 1 day – UAH 12,836;
- 5 days – UAH 21,393;
- 10 days – UAH 32,090;
- 15 days – UAH 42,787;
- 30 days – UAH 74,877.
Formula: FS = ((20 × Smin) : 30) × (D + 5), where FS is the required amount, Smin is the monthly subsistence minimum per person and D is the planned number of days of stay. For 2026: FS = UAH 2,139.33 × (D + 5).
If you lose your travel document
If a foreigner or stateless person loses their passport document in Ukraine, they must immediately inform the receiving party and the National Police to obtain a certificate confirming the loss. Departure from Ukraine is then possible without a visa on the basis of the passport document or a certificate of return issued by the diplomatic mission or consulate of their country in Ukraine.
Source: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, dpsu.gov.ua.