Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:577 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!uucp From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Ukraine Message-ID: <940908161651_76702.1202_CHN46-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: uucp@world.std.com (UUCP Owner) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 8 Sep 1994 16:16:52 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 137 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Ukraine ============================================================ Ukraine - Consular Information Sheet September 7, 1994 Country Description: Ukraine is a nation undergoing profound political and economic change. It is a newly independent nation still in the process of stabilizing its relations with neighboring countries. Although street demonstrations and other disturbances have been rare, they may occur without warning. Tourist facilities are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. There are currently no restrictions on travel within the Ukraine. Internal travel, especially by air, may be disrupted by fuel shortages and other problems. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Visas can be obtained in advance from the Embassy of Ukraine, located at 3350 M Street NW, Washington D.C. 20007, tel. (202) 333-0606, or the Ukraine consulates in Chicago and New York. A letter of invitation >from a person, company, or organization in Ukraine or a tour company voucher, is currently required to obtain a visa. Travelers who arrive without a visa must obtain one either at the border point or within 24 hours of arrival. Visas valid for 72 hours only are issued at Kiev's Borispil Airport, at the airports of Lviv, Simferopol and Odessa, and at the following border checkpoints: Chop, Uzhgorod, Mostiska, Yalta, and Vadul-Syret. Travelers who cannot obtain visas as they enter Ukraine must apply within 24 hours at a local "Visas, Permits and Passport Department" office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (VVIR). Visas obtained in the Ukraine cost substantially more than visas obtained prior to arrival. The duration of the visa will be determined by the traveler's letter of invitation. Note: Travelers who intend to visit Russia from the Ukraine must have a Russian visa. The Russian Embassy in Ukraine is located at Prospect Kutuzova 8, Kiev, tel. (7-044) 294-6701. Ukraine Energy Crisis: During 1993, living conditions have worsened because of an acute energy crisis. Heating, electricity and hot water have been cut periodically as a conservation measure in many major cities, including Kiev. Because of inadequate heating, temperatures in homes and public facilities may be uncomfortable. Many forms of transportation are sporadic and unreliable. Basic tourist services are affected by these energy cutbacks. Ukraine Registration: All foreigners visiting the Ukraine are required to register their passports with local law enforcement authorities. Visitors who do not register may experience delays when leaving the Ukraine, or difficulty when trying to extend visas. The registration requirement is automatically met when foreigners stay in hotels, or when resident business persons register their businesses, or when students register under established exchange programs. Private visitors must have their hosts, relatives or landlords register their U.S. passport at the local "Visas, Permits and Passport Department" office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (VVIR) office. Foreigners staying three working days or less need not register. A fee of 10 U.S. Dollars or the Ukraine equivalent is usually charged for visa extensions or passport registration. Medical Facilities: Medical care in Ukraine is limited. The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of English speaking physicians in the area. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. There have been isolated cases of diphtheria, typhoid and cholera in Ukraine. Adequate vaccination protects against these diseases. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, tel. (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Continued deterioration of Ukraine's economy has led to an increase in street crime. Pickpocketings and muggings occur both day and night, especially against conspicuously dressed tourists. An increase in burglary of foreigners' residences and hotel rooms has been reported. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Additional information on the region can be found in the brochure "Tips for Travelers to Russia." Both publications are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Currency Regulations: Ukraine is a cash only economy. Travelers' checks and credit cards are rarely accepted, including for major purchases such as airline tickets. Customs regulations prohibit sending money through the international mail system to Ukraine. Money sent through the mail is subject to confiscation. In Ukraine, changing U.S. dollars for Ukrainian coupons or another currency is legal only at banks, currency exchange desks at hotels, and at licensed exchange booths. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Other Information: According to a U.S. Department of Energy analysis, levels of background radiation and radiation found in food items affected by the fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl Accident have decreased significantly with time. Radiation is no longer of any known medical significance to travelers. Tap-water samples submitted in the months following the accident showed no detectable radiation. Civil Aviation Oversight: In March, 1993, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Ukraine's civil aviation authority as in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Ukraine's carriers operating to and from the U.S. The same level of safety oversight would typically be applied to operations to other destinations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Registration: Americans who register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information on travel and security within the Ukraine. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine is located at Yuria Kotsubinskoho 10, telephone (7-044) 244-7354. No. 94-190 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 15, 1993, to delete information on the winter energy crisis and information on radiation levels. Added information includes, Ukraine registration requirements, internal travel, aviation oversight, local crime information, and note a new after-hours phone number for the U.S. Embassy.