The law on the introduction of biometric passports has caused much controversy in Ukraine<\/em><\/p>
They promise that for visa-free border crossing, only a biometric passport (or a Ukrainian citizen's passport for travel abroad with a contactless electronic chip) will be mandatory, but there is also a 'recommended package of documents' for crossing the border:<\/p>
• proof of solvency: credit cards, traveler's checks, cash (45 euros per person per day of stay abroad);<\/p>
• return ticket (paid travel document for any mode of transport);<\/p>
• confirmation of hotel\/apartment booking or invitation;<\/p>
• medical travel insurance.<\/p>
The status of 'recommended' means that a traveler from Ukraine may not obtain them, but border guards have the right to demand them and, if not presented, may refuse entry.<\/p>
On the one hand, the package of documents for visiting the Schengen area is almost the same as for obtaining a visa (except that there is no requirement for a certificate from work), on the other hand, there will no longer be a need to submit documents in advance, pay visa fees and visa center commissions.<\/p>
Traveling will be more frequent and free, just buy bus or airline tickets, get medical insurance from any EU-accredited insurance company, obtain a bank statement, book a hotel online.<\/p>
With a return ticket to Ukraine, there can be no difficulties either, since airline and bus tickets can be booked online for a nominal fee or completely free.<\/p>
The permitted duration of stay in the Schengen area is not entirely clear. For example, the visa-free regime for Moldova in 2014 was introduced on the terms of a 90-day stay within 180 days with a mandatory biometric passport.<\/p>
Also, Ukrainian citizens and international carriers are concerned about possible queues at border control. After all, it remains questionable how often and how many 'recommended' documents will be required from travelers at the border.<\/p>
The promised new border crossing rules that will apply to those who receive biometric passports are pleasing because now residents of the regions will not have to go to district centers, wasting extra time and money on tickets to get a visa. Not to mention the cost of the permit itself to enter another country.<\/p>
A specialist from the project department of SkyBus (www.skybus.kiev.ua) predicts an increase in the number of international flights to neighboring countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, as soon as border crossing rules are simplified thanks to the introduction of biometric passports. This also means that Ukrainian citizens will be able to use the services of nearby major airports (Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest) for flights around Europe, rather than going to Kyiv for that. Additionally, we can predict the rapid development of transport hubs such as Lutsk, Uzhhorod, Chernivtsi, and undoubtedly Lviv.<\/p>
In addition to the obvious convenience for traveling Ukrainians, the visa-free regime with Schengen countries will improve Ukraine's transport links by increasing demand for passenger border crossings. Independent travelers hope that this will expand the network of low-cost airline routes.<\/p>
It is obvious that having only a biometric passport will not be an absolute guarantee of crossing the border. But since all the 'recommended' documents can be easily obtained in less than one day, the need to visit embassies or visa centers has disappeared.<\/p>
Therefore, Ukrainians are eagerly awaiting the start of biometric passport issuance. According to Resolution No. 152 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of May 7, 2014 'On approval of the form, technical description and Procedure for processing, issuing, exchanging, sending, withdrawing, returning to the state, destroying a Ukrainian citizen's passport for travel abroad with a contactless electronic carrier, its temporary detention and seizure,' from January 1, 2015, biometric passports will still begin to be issued to Ukrainians.<\/p>
Based on materials from UNIAN.<\/strong><\/p>