Overstayed In Ukraine – Here’s What Will Happen To You (Updated October 2019)
The general rule of thumb for any foreigners in Ukraine is this: You can stay 90 out of a 180 day period. If you overstayed in Ukraine, you might have a problem. Read on to find out if you do…
What they don’t really tell you is the “wink-wink” part of that deal.
Essentially, you can stay in Ukraine as long as you want. The only catch is that you’re going to pay a fine when you leave–895 UAH to be exact. And it can definitely be a bit of a hassle.
I went through the airport in Kiev (overstayed a month and change) last week.
I took some brief notes down:
Experience In October 2016
- Paid the 895 UAH fine.
- Took an hour and a half.
- Had a native girl with me, which sped it up a lot (and it was still kinda close).
Full Rundown:
- You head to passport control. They look at it. See you overstayed. Stop you.
- Take you to a side room. Take passport from you.
- Take ages to print out one damn paper.
- Take said paper down to banks on the first floor.
- Pray they aren’t on break and are willing to help you.
- Pay fine.
- Go back upstairs and through security (again). Cut a lot of angry people if necessary.
- Go collect passport and turn in receipt showing you paid the fine.
- Go through passport control (again).
Best advice? Be the first one in line at the airport for check in (only two hours before is allowed).
The good news is that once you get through the hassle, there is a nice lounge available for use!
In any case, let us know if you’ve got questions about overstaying your Ukrainian visa below. Ukraine Living has a lot of correspondents on the ground who have done it numerous times, and we have a lot of information to share.
Overstayed In Ukraine: UPDATED October 2019
It’s been rumored both in the comment sections of this blog, as well as on other forums, that you have to be inside of Ukraine in order to pay the fine. Some people take this to mean that you must actually travel back to the city, go to the “border patrol bank”, and actually pay the fine, meaning you are certainly going to miss your flight.
There’s also people that somehow believe you “can’t” pay the fine because you’ve “already crossed the border”, and there is no bank once you reach passport control.
We want to reiterate that this is not the case.
There is a bank on site in the airport to pay your fine. It is silly to think that you would be allowed through passport control. You have to pay it before you leave, hence, the bank is right when you enter the airport. The issue is actually going back out of the passport control area, to the bank, through security again…it takes a lot of time, and the lines aren’t exactly efficient. If you don’t pay the fine, you’re obviously not allowed through the border in most cases.
What are you going to do, argue with the guard?
They’ll just give you a bit fat red “BANNED” in your passport if that’s the case…
The Law Says…
It is worth pointing out this comment:
Hi!
Just some point from the legal view per 6.7.2019 –
a)the calculation method is regulated in resolution Nr.169 Cabmin – visa free for a lot of countries 90/180 (Argentine f.e.is different), ALL DAYS are calculated for the 90 (incl.in and out-day!) within a period of 180 days backwards from the day of the leave!
b)Dont think, that they cannot calculate anymore. All border points are equipped with IT, which calculates automatically(thanks to USAid)! You may even get a listing of your entries and leaves by written and signed request to the Border Guard service (dpsu.gov.ua)
c)the “simple” overstay might (not must!) be fined with an administrative protocol of 850 UAH (plus fees etc) BY BORDER GUARDS! There is basically no ban-period. BUT – they will let you in again without problem – because the boomerang will come at the next exit as the 180 days will be calculated again backwards! If you repeat this 2-3 times – case goes to court and usually a 3-max.(but rare) 5-years ENTRY BAN will be sentenced by court.
Important – border guards may hold you up to 3 hours for this protocol….so, missing the flight usually!
And – you are not obliged to pay at once! Its an administrative protocol! Not a punishment for a crime! If you pay – you may even not appeal it at court!
d)fines of up to 5100 UAH (depends on the time of overstay)are usually charged by the migration service (DMSU.gov.ua), if you exceed your temporary stay (f.e.work,study) for approx. one year. Again – entry ban just by court decision! This will be stamped in passport and remarked in the IT of the border guards.
e)beside this entry might be denied even for visa-free citizen by decision of the secret service (SBU) because of state security reasons, health reasons (signs of epidemic diseases) or lack of supporting documents (yes, they may still demand certificates of health insurance or approval of financial funds-even if this happens very very rarely!)
f)visa on arrival in KBP per today doesnt exist anymore.
Best, Stefan
Reader Experiences
Adam, August 2019:
In February 2019 I overstayed 10 days and had to pay 800 grivne at Zyurani airport. I don’t remember the exact price. Historically you could come back the next day but now the law has been enforced and you had to wait for the 90 days over 180 days. I tried to fly back in April 2019 but the border control stopped me to enter the country and I was sent back on the next flight back to UK. When the 90 days were passed I was able to return without any problems.
Yuki, September 2019:
I understand the 90 days in 180 day limit. But let me ask this: if I were to visit Ukraine for 19 days, and then leave the country for 91 days, only then to return for the remaining 71 days (which would equal 180 total), could I then leave for 1 day and come back the very next day to start the next 180 days?
So technically, out of 180 days, I would be in Ukraine for 90 days out of 180 days, but it’s split up. When that 180 day mark comes around, I’ll leave to get that passport stamp that I left and met the 90 days in 180 day requirement, and then come back the next day to reset the clock.
Would this be suffice in your opinion?
Response to Yuki:
Nope, as at your departure day the program calculates 180 days backwards and counts all days of stay in ukraine together! There are no “old” and “new” 180-day-periods!
Zafer, October 12th 2019:
Hi,
I overstayed my visa and was expecting to pay the fine. I went to the airport early because I thought it would take a long time.
If you pay by credit card, you can pay right at the office. It took me no longer than 10 minutes! I was pleasantly surprised.
We are not responsible and do not encourage breaking the law. It seems that Ukraine is trying to be more EU friendly and enforcing these rules far more than they used to. As always, this is not legal advice and you are encouraged to consult a lawyer.
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