Ukrainians will be able to use the visa-free regime with the EU even with old passports
As reported by Ukrainska Pravda, this was stated on the air of Channel 5 by Deputy Foreign Minister for European Integration Olena Zerkal. According to her, rumors that the visa-free regime with the EU would invalidate old foreign passports with Schengen visas are false. "That is not true. Ukrainians will still be able to use their old passports that have visas, and they can use them until the end of the validity of those visas," Zerkal assured.
The deputy minister also added that for trips to EU countries even under the visa-free regime, Ukrainians will have to prepare the entire package of documents that embassies currently require. "Of course, in order to travel to the European Union – just like now – border guards may ask if you have a return ticket, if you have a hotel reservation, where you will be staying, and when you are returning. They may also ask if you have an insurance policy – to ensure that you do not pose a risk and that you do not intend to stay in the European Union," the Ukrainian diplomat explained.
At the same time, she added that a biometric passport will not save from this, and its holders will also have to carry all necessary certificates and documents. Earlier, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin predicted the timeline for the start of the visa-free regime with the EU. In his opinion, it will happen in June.
Recall that on December 18, the European Commission finally adopted the sixth report on Ukraine's implementation of the requirements of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. The visa-free report of the European Commission contains no additional conditions or criteria for lifting visas for Ukrainians.