First, I would like to emphasize that we strive to serve American and Ukrainian citizens who contact us quickly and courteously. Unfortunately, there are cases when unauthorized representatives or companies, trying to take advantage of the lack of knowledge of citizens who need visas, create a negative image for the consular section. Let me explain some facts and perhaps dispel some myths.
•Myth number one is that no one can get a visa. That is not true. In 2002, the consular section received about 30,000 visa applications, and more than 15,000 visas were issued. In other words, we issued visas to more than 50% of those who had interviews.
•The Consular Section of the Embassy of the United States has no relation to visa agencies in Ukraine or the United States. Any agency that promises someone a visa for a certain fee is at least acting dishonestly.
•The only fee for a genuine American visa is $100 for document processing, and an additional $65 for a multiple-entry visa. There is no need to pay anything else to anyone.
•There is no magic document or letter that you need to have to get a visa. To obtain a visa, you need to explain to the responsible consular officer why you want to go to the United States. You also have to prove that your ties to Ukraine are strong enough for you to return to Ukraine after a short visit to the U.S.
Second, to better familiarize ourselves with Americans living in Ukraine, as well as to improve services and protection for them, especially those living outside Kyiv, we will visit some regional centers. Whatever the weather in Lviv, Donetsk, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, or Kharkiv, we will definitely visit these cities. Our first trip on February 13-14 was to Lviv, where we met with American citizens and offered basic consular services such as registration and notarization. We also visited Dnipropetrovsk and will soon visit Odesa. We would like to meet with American citizens who live in these regions and would like to register with the consulate. For further information, please contact the consulate's email address.
Third, starting June 2, 2003, we will begin issuing fiancé(e) visas in Kyiv. This is the first step toward issuing all immigration visas in Kyiv, rather than in Warsaw. This applies only to new petitions. Any petition that has already been sent to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw will be processed there.
Fourth, we have introduced changes to simplify the departure of Ukrainians who have not violated the validity of previous visas. Starting in December 2002, Ukrainian citizens can receive multiple-entry visas valid for 5 years. According to a mutual agreement, Americans can also receive a five-year Ukrainian visa. Ukrainians with tourist visas whose validity is almost expired, or those who have a used visa in a valid international passport, as well as family members of multiple-entry visa holders, can take advantage of a simplified visa procedure.
Now our top priority is the protection of America's borders. In the coming months, the following changes will be introduced: strengthening control measures for issuing student and exchange visas, introducing visas with a higher degree of security, and more thorough processing of information provided by citizens applying for visas. Thus, the visa application process will take longer. Although we will do everything possible to implement these changes effectively, we anticipate that the waiting time for a visa interview may be longer than three weeks. In light of this, travelers should plan their visa interviews in advance.
Finally, a few tips for those who will apply for visas.
1. To obtain an American visa, you must be scheduled for an interview, for which you need to send an email to [email protected] or a fax to (044) 216-33-93, or a postcard without an envelope to the address: 6 M. Pymonenka St., Kyiv, 01901, Ukraine.
2. During the interview, you should be prepared to discuss the purpose of your trip and your ties to Ukraine with the consular officer. You may bring proof of employment, documents about bank accounts, property ownership, and so on. An invitation letter is not a decisive document, although you can also bring it.
3. The consular officer will ask a few questions about the purpose of your trip and your situation in Ukraine, and then make a decision on your case. If the decision is positive, the visa is issued the same day. If the visa is denied, the officer will explain the reason orally and provide a written explanation.
4. Although each case is considered individually, we also take into account Ukrainian migration trends. Unfortunately, not everyone will meet the requirements for a visa. Many of those who come for visa interviews do not state the real purpose of their trip to the United States. You should know that a tourist visa does not grant the right to study or work even for a short period of time. Tourists cannot care for children or elderly people, work as cleaners or construction workers. Tourists cannot apply for admission to colleges or universities. A tourist visa holder has the right to make a short-term trip to the United States, after which he or she must return home. Violation of visa status can lead to serious consequences.
If you have other questions about obtaining U.S. visas, or questions about services for American citizens, you can send an email to the consulate's address. We promise to answer your questions within 10 business days.