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So You Overstayed In Ukraine–Now What REALLY Happens?

The general rule of thumb for any foreigners in Ukraine is this: you can stay 90 out of a 180 day period.

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:

Here was my experience.

  • 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!

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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.

Read More: Cost Of A Date In Ukraine

  • October 22, 2016
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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 60 comments
Will

Hi there,

thanks for sharing your experience.
What about returning to Ukraine afterwards ? Is there a ban period or you can come back a few days later and enjoying the 90/180 rule ?

Thanks in advance.

Will

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Seems to vary, honestly. We’ve known some people come back in the next day, and others who have waited a month.

    The best bet is to probably just wait one month–highly unlikely they won’t let you in. Hell, a friend the other week overstayed by 3 months and they just looked at him, laughed, and let him go. No fine.

    Reply
    FillSlarp

    Good post about wonderful place. I’m currently planning new journey (to Germany this time) and this information could be very helpful. Cheers.

    Reply
      Ukraine Living

      Make sure you don’t overstay AT ALL in Germany. They will not be as nice about letting you go as they are in Ukraine!

      Cheers

      Reply
Ukrainian lawyer

895 UAH fine is more than it should. The fine itself should be from 510 to 850 UAH. (Article 203, Ukrainian code of administrative offenses: http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0944-15/print1481077553240165).

However, they might also have charged you for bank transfer, a fee for a special paper and some other things.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Nitpicking at that point. We’re talking peanuts.

    Reply
      Ukrainian lawyer

      Just trying to help

      Reply
        Ukraine Living

        Appreciate that.

        Reply
barry

I overstayed 2 months at march 2016 exit and paid 942hryvna fine as per details described above. I am leaving on 20th march after 5 1/2 months in ukraine, will let you know the new fine.i am married this time here (6th year) and I approached authorities about extending my visa legally.but in the best soviet traditions (some things change slowly)my wife has to be dying before they will even give you a maybe. Try to do the right thing doesnt work here.easier to pay fine at airport, but yes arrive as early as possible.its a huge time waste.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Awesome Barry, thanks for sharing that. Please keep us all posted come March.

    Reply
    Simon

    Can you give me an update on your overstay experience in March please? Have you also had any problems getting back into Ukraine after an overstay?
    Thanks in advance.
    Simon.

    Reply
Tety

Thanks for the info. I am an american living in ukraine. i overstayed my visa now for two months and planning to leave ukraine and come back again. did they ask you for explanations why you overstayed?

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Not at all.

    Reply
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Reply
Ballet Slippers

Can someone shed some light on overstaying the Visa D? I’ve scoured the internet but all I get is information on overstaying the 90/180 days rule. What is the fine for overstaying the 1 year or TRP under Visa D? Anyone?

Reply
Ballet Slippers

Can someone shed some light on overstaying the Visa D? I’ve scoured the internet but all I get is information on overstaying the 90/180 days rule. What is the fine for overstaying the 1 year (TRP) under Visa D? Anyone?

Reply
Baboo

Thanks for the post. A couple of questions if you will. Recently (7/17) I have read some scuttlebutt about the UA gov’t raising the fine to 5,000 or thereabouts. Any word on this?

Also if you please, is there a concern the immigration police will actively pursue visa delinquents? For example, is a hotel required to report such a situation and have the police been known to seek out and arrest and deport overstaying foreigners or is it like you write all wink wink?

Thank you for your time and attention.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Haven’t heard anything about said fine, but truly – this is not a country I’d recommend doing this all that often…

    You never know when those “rules” might be changed and you end up somewhere you don’t want to be.

    The hotel couldn’t possibly know your situation – how could they? It’s not like they have access to the border control database.

    Depends what your nationality is, too. They would probably be less likely to screw with certain nationalities.

    Reply
    David

    Source?

    Reply
    Scott

    They charged me 5120, so yes its correct but I was there 2 years, 200$ fine.

    Reply
Aao

Thanks for the precious infos, im algerian and i overstayed tourist visa for more than one year, do you hear a lot about banning overstayed foreigners from entering ukraine? Whats your expectations from this?
Thanks

Reply
TyKo Steamboat

I am flying out of Zhulany airport in Kyiv in 7 days…
I have overstayed for 42 days

I am flying to Rome then switching airlines.
The process at the airport is to check luggage first then go through security/immigration…. So 1.) what if I m1ss my flight & my luggage ends up on a carosel somewhere? 2.) Will I have to purchase a new flight or will the airlines make a change? 3.)My flight leaves at 5am, would it make a difference if I arrive very early to check my luggage & go through this process? 4.) has anybody gone through this at Zhulany as opposed to Boryspil?

I am getting nervous. I fly in 7 days

any info would serve me greatly & comfort me. Thanks

-TyKo

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Zhulany probably has less English speakers, keep that in mind. I doubt the airline would refund you if you missed it.

    As far as leaving early, I’d try to be the first person in line to check luggage. You should probably find out if the banks where you pay the fine are open that early, too.

    Reply
      TyKo Steamboat

      Have you paid with hgrivna or did you pay with a card??

      It seems the currency exchange banks are closed but I don’t know where to go online to find out if the necessary immigration offices are indeed open…

      But it seems there are daily flights from Kyiv to Rome at 5am

      http://vip.iev.aero/en/pages/contacts/

      http://iev.aero/en/passengers/info/passportcontrol/

      I am quite concerned as I do not have a credit card. Cash only & the website states: “Citizens of foreign countries, who are entitled to obtain visas at border checkpoints, can pay visa fee through banking terminals using bank cards only”.

      Have you paid with hgrivna or did you pay with a card?

      http://iev.aero/en/passengers/visa-processing/

      Reply
        Ukraine Living

        Yeah, it was cash. Cash is always king in Ukraine. I’ve heard of them raising the fine so I would advise you to carry more than that.

        If you’re really concerned…just take a bus out to Poland.

        Reply
          james

          Im taking a bus to Poland. I might be 2 days over the 90 due to money problems.

          Are you suggsting they dont check or care at the bus borders?

          Reply
          Ukraine Living

          They do.

          And the English is worse or non-existent.

          This particular reader before you seemed worried about missing his flight.

          Reply
          TyKo Steamboat

          FOLLOW UP UPDATE!

          so I flew out of Zhulany in the middle of the night September 4 2017… . Stressed over nothing. I went to passport controll. They pointed me to a room with a big muscular dude that was smiling & being cool. Asked me if I was in the military. No personal questions, just mostly cool

          He told me the fine was 900 Hgrivna & the kiosk (where you electronically pay the fine) was broken.
          He said I have 15 days to pay the fine or it as double upon future reentry. So I had my sexy Ukrainian girlfriend handle that crap & paid her

          The border controll people in Zhulany are WAYYYYY nicer than the eye rollers in Boryspil. They even answers additional questions in English

          All in all it was worth overstaying 42 days. The end

          Reply
          Ukraine Living

          Awesome. Thanks for the update!

          Reply
          James Mullins

          My 90 days end Jan 25, 2018 but can’t leave for 12 days thereafter. I’m from the U. S. one of 60 visa free nations allowed in Ukraine on a passport. Have the penalty laws changed this year?

          Reply
          Ukraine Living

          12 days probably won’t be a big deal.

          Reply
          Kevin Mulisa Issaya

          What about African overstaying in Ukraine, can’t they (immigration officers) detain him or her? Due to racism in Ukraine?

          Reply
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Reply
Olena

Hi, could somebody help me….
I’m an Australian citizen, have Australian passport but was born in Ukraine. There is a note in my passport, Ukrainian born.
When I applied for Ukrainian visa I was told I have to apply for an Ukrainian passport instead. Plus I have a 10 month old baby that has to have a Ukrainian passport too and he is Ukrainian citizen too??? I just don’t get it, what a nonsense!
Do you think it will be safe for us to travel to Ukraine with our Aussie passports and get a 14 day visa, or we will be knocked back because of me not having a Ukrainian passport?
Thanks

Reply
Van Go

Any word on what current rules are for overstay, early 2018? Am going to Kazakhstan in February, then considering Lviv. Would like to stay almost a year, visit family in U.S. for a couple of weeks, then return. Am wondering if I pay the fine will I be banned or, as I’ve read elsewhere, will my time be “reset” for a new 90 days? I guess I could go somewhere else for 90 days, then return, but would like to stay in place if it won’t get me banned.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    I’m guessing you’d pay the fine at a minimum.

    Maximum they might ban you.

    I would say border run it.

    Reply
Van Go

So border crossings are always better than airports? Good to know since Lviv is close to Poland. Wizz Air is flying Lviv to London starting in May. Would like to take advantage of that but if better to fly from Poland so be it.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Not 100%…depends what you want.

    The English will be worse and the wait probably a lot longer if you go that route.

    Reply
      Van Go

      Thanks for your help!

      Reply
        Ukraine Living

        Anytime.

        Reply
James Mullins

What’s the penalty for U. S. citizen overstaying 90 day limit for 2018?

Reply
Kevin Mulisa Issaya

What about African race or black boy to overstay in Ukraine? I heard that Ukraine is racist country, can’t they take advantage of that to detain African?

Reply
Banana

Is there going to be a problem returning in like 4 months if i overstay?

Reply
Amanda

This is a bit irresponsible to tell people to break a law. There is not always just a fine, there could be a 3 year ban . I have met someone who overstayed a month and was banned for three years. Then you go somewhere like UK and they can question why you overstayed your visa in Ukraine . Potentially someone can read your advice and get a three year ban . It all depends on who you get working at immigration.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    We are certainly not lawyers and our advice shouldn’t be construed as such.

    Reply
    TyKo Steamboat

    Hey, relax

    We’re not giving advice to break a Country’s law. Most people should know what to expect from this platform

    In every country, some laws are harsher than others, this is all just story time…

    Reply
      Ukraine Living

      I’m working on an update as it seems it is being enforced more strictly.

      As always do your own research.

      Reply
Wade K.

I thought about giving it a try. Decided to go to Georgia instead. Not as affordable but still good. Much better winters.

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    Georgia is a great place.

    Reply
Mega

Please can i go to passport control to pay the fine a day before I travel or must it be the day I’m traveling out of the country? My visa has expired and I want to leave the country before my overstay extend to month… please respond thanks

Reply
nicolas montes de oca

what happens if the bank is closed to pay the fine?

Reply
    Ukraine Living

    You’ll be missing your flight

    Reply
    TyKo Steamboat

    They fine you & you have 10 days to pay… i.e. you have someone pay the fine for you if the bank & portal are both closed ..
    They have electronic portals you deposit money into. The portal was broke at 4 am when I left. Fine was 900 hgrivna. (42$ or so)
    My lady friend paid the fine for me. I recently returned to Ukraine… no mention of my previous overstay
    You wont miss your flight. BTW, I left from Zhulany & reentered in Boryspil

    Reply
Tom

I overstayed by some six years officially but l went to the border crossing at Poland during this time every 90 days and l walked out ( did some shopping returning same day ) and no questions asked ( the border run ). This has all changed now last time l went out (Late 2017) I paid a fine 42$ stayed in Poland for 90 days and returned by train with no problems. My question is this has anyone overstayed repeatedly in Ukraine and just paid the fine of 42$ stayed out for 90 days and returned without problems or is the fine greater and the ban time greater every time you overstay.

Reply
Navneet

I was overstay in kiev, ukraine in 2015 by 4 months.
I had paid the fine.
Will this be a problem in PCC?

Reply
zak

hi there i got married here and I was waiting for my temporary resident and some Pakistani people robe me for my money and now I have to go back to India I don’t how to come back Ukraine agian i just don’t want to get deport steam on passport there is anyone can help me

Reply
Faisal Mustafa

faisalbinmustafa2@gmail.com
I over stayed in ukraine for about 3 months on visa “d” trc and i returned home and applied a bisa and was rejected saying not allowed in ukraine can any ine put some light on this ???

Reply
Sher

I want to apply for a VISA upon arrival again to visit Ukraine, however, on March 30th when I arrived in Odessa, I was repatriated on March 31. (Due to unknown reasons, the Turkish Airlines cancel the flight on 2/2/2018, so I was overstaying for 3 days in early February, so I had be recorded in the visa refusal foreigner person database; but I had already paid the fine). Please help me and tell me how to apply for a VISA upon arrival on KBP airport(to check the fine and remove me from the rejection list, or tell me how can I do?). Thanks.

Reply
Robert

Hi. I overstayed my visa by 40 days this year 2018.
At the airport I was taken to one side and ordered to pay a fine of 5100 uah.
I did not have this so the border control gave me 18 days to pay.
I still did not have this 18 days later.
I left on june 3rd.
Now I am in a position to.pay and want to return to kiev.
I believe the fine has doubled. Which is also ok.
I was told by border control I could not enter again for 90’days. Which will be september 4th.
Will this be the case.
Its only taken si long because I provide a nice apartment for my fiancee and kids in kiev so im supporting two homes.
We are getting married in october and will apply for a d visa then.
I really need to get back to my family now. We are all suffering because of this.
Thanks for any advice

Reply
Shepherd

HIE IM SHEPHERD

AN AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HERE IN UKRAINE , IM DONE STUDYING AND LEAVING FOR DUBAI ON THE 12TH OF SEPTEMBER 2018 AND MY STUDY VIA EXPIRES ON THE 02/09/2018 MEANING BY THE TIME I GET MY FLIGHT I WOULD HAVE OVERSTAYED WITH 10 DAYS . HOW MUCH WILL I PAY AND WILL IT BE A BIG DEAL AS A RETURNING STUDENT ? AND HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE ? as i AM NERVOUS SINCE ID STILL NEED TO CATCH MY FLIGHT

Reply

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