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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Dan on February 25, 2001 at 16:17:58:
In Reply to: Re: my exprience at the airport posted by paul21 on February 25, 2001 at 15:49:30:
Paul,
Ukraine law requires all foreign travelers to register their stay in Ukraine with authorities. If you spend some time on the internet looking at web pages of Ukraine Consulates/Embassies, you will find all the details there. Thhis board also has LOTS of information on the topic - just use the search function and spend some time with it.
Official penalty for failing to register is only 85 Hr (about $15 USD). However, it is commonplace to be caught at the airport as you are trying to depart. So that you can still make your flight, the *unofficial* penalty is whatever the Militsia guy feels he can extract from you. I have heard of them asking for as much as $200 - though I've never heard of anyone actually paying more than $100.
- Dan
: : Hi just wanted to share my experience at the airport and offer some tips from my trip that may help someone. 1st off the trip to Kiev was uneventful. I went through the green line and there were no issues at all. Took me about 15 minutes for everything. Leaving Kiev was just about as uneventful. BUT i do recommend the following. make sure you have all your stamps,paperwork etc. before you enter the airport. I had a driver and friend with me so make sure you have someone who speaks Russian if you can help it. Ask the taxi driver (speaks english) to go in with you if not.There is a good reason for this. I made it about 20 steps and was asked for my visa etc. I would recommend that you intentinally walk by the largest group of police you see. You do this because once they all see everything is in order, no one else will ask for you passport since you have already passed by the entire security force:) Kind of like one stop shopping. They seem to like to hang out right by the departure hallway. One or two will follow you and ask for your paperwork. Give it to them and let your guide talk for you. DONT BECOME AN UGLY AMERICAN!!! My OVIR sheet/stamp was not the right color but was signed and dated with the hotel. After about 5 minutes and my lack of excitement about the matter, all was fine. Here are some other tips.
: : 1. Trains are ok. No roaches and my shoes were not taken. Slept very well in 1st and second class.
: : 2. Let your friends pay in UAH. Exchange your money. Give it to them. You will have less worries.
: : 3. Dont talk english in public. Quietly is ok but a low profile is better in my opinion.
: : 4. Be respectful!!!!!Great people. stop acting like an ignorant American. They all know the water pressure is low. You dont have to tell them.
: : 5. ATM's no problem. Found 3 in Uzhgorod and 1 in Kiev at the airport.
: : 6. Do your homework. This site is good for the wealth of information. Educate yourself.
: What is the reason for the stamp by OVIR and what are the plenites if your visa is not stamped?