After signing of the laws that were necessary for the implementation of the visa-free regime between Ukraine and the European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects Ukrainians will be able to travel to the EU countries without visas in summer or autumn 2016.
What exactly the introduction of the visa-free regime will mean for Ukrainians could be found in the infographics published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If all goes according to the plan, this year the visa-free regime for Ukraine will be introduced with 26 Schengen countries, namely: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland. It will be possible to stay in the Schengen area no longer than 90 days within six months.
Myths about the visa-free regime:
- Visa-free regime does not allow to live on a permanent basis, work or study abroad.
- Visa-free regime does not mean the cancellation of the documents check at the borders. Ukrainians must be ready to submit the purpose of the trip, booked rooms, return-ticket, insurance and so on. The full list of documents will be approved later.
- If you exceed the period of stay in Schengen countries (90 days), or break any rules of stay, you will have at least to pay a fine, or even depart from the EU and get prohibition on entry into its territory for a certain period.
Reality of the visa-free regime:
- Of course, you do not have to pay visas and visa fees, moreover, most likely, flights to Europe will get cheaper.
- For those who have relatives in the EU it will turn easier to visit them, and usual tourist trips will be also simplified.
- Positive changes also are coming in business environment. It is expected an influx of investors to Ukraine, since the introduction of the visa-free regime is an image signal for those who want to invest in the Ukrainian business: it is actively integrating into Europe.
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