Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/UKRAINE.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 7KB | 126 lines

Ukraine - Consular Information Sheet
September 7, 1994

Country Description:  Ukraine is a nation undergoing profound political and
economic change.  It is a newly independent nation still in the process of
stabilizing its relations with neighboring countries.  Although street
demonstrations and other disturbances have been rare, they may occur without
warning.  Tourist facilities are not highly developed, and many of the goods
and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available.
There are currently no restrictions on travel within the Ukraine.  Internal
travel, especially by air, may be disrupted by fuel shortages and other
problems.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required.  Visas can be
obtained in advance from the Embassy of Ukraine, located at 3350 M Street
NW, Washington D.C. 20007, tel. [phone], or the Ukraine consulates in
Chicago and New York.  A letter of invitation from a person, company, or
organization in Ukraine or a tour company voucher, is currently required to
obtain a visa.  Travelers who arrive without a visa must obtain one either
at the border point or within 24 hours of arrival.  Visas valid for 72 hours
only are issued at Kiev's Borispil Airport, at the airports of Lviv,
Simferopol and Odessa, and at the following border checkpoints:  Chop,
Uzhgorod, Mostiska, Yalta, and Vadul-Syret.  Travelers who cannot obtain
visas as they enter Ukraine must apply within 24 hours at a local "Visas,
Permits and Passport Department" office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
(VVIR).  Visas obtained in the Ukraine cost substantially more than visas
obtained prior to arrival.  The duration of the visa will be determined by
the traveler's letter of invitation.

Note: Travelers who intend to visit Russia from the Ukraine must have a
Russian visa.  The Russian Embassy in Ukraine is located at Prospect
Kutuzova 8, Kiev, tel. [phone].

Ukraine Energy Crisis:  During 1993, living conditions have worsened because
of an acute energy crisis.  Heating, electricity and hot water have been cut
periodically as a conservation measure in many major cities, including Kiev.
 Because of inadequate heating, temperatures in homes and public facilities
may be uncomfortable.  Many forms of transportation are sporadic and
unreliable.  Basic tourist services are affected by these energy cutbacks.

Ukraine Registration:  All foreigners visiting the Ukraine are required to
register their passports with local law enforcement authorities.  Visitors
who do not register may experience delays when leaving the Ukraine, or
difficulty when trying to extend visas.  The registration requirement is
automatically met when foreigners stay in hotels, or when resident business
persons register their businesses, or when students register under
established exchange programs.  Private visitors must have their hosts,
relatives or landlords register their U.S. passport at the local "Visas,
Permits and Passport Department" office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
(VVIR) office.  Foreigners staying three working days or less need not
register.  A fee of 10 U.S. Dollars or the Ukraine equivalent is usually
charged for visa extensions or passport registration.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Ukraine is limited.  The U.S. Embassy
maintains a list of English speaking physicians in the area.  There is a
severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles,
anesthetics, and antibiotics.  Elderly travelers and those with existing
health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.  There
have been isolated cases of diphtheria, typhoid and cholera in Ukraine.
Adequate vaccination protects against these diseases.  Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  Travelers have
found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific
overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  Further information on health
matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international
travelers hotline, tel. [phone].

Crime Information:  Continued deterioration of Ukraine's economy has led to
an increase in street crime.  Pickpocketings and muggings occur both day and
night, especially against conspicuously dressed tourists.  An increase in
burglary of foreigners' residences and hotel rooms has been reported.  The
loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to
the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  The Department
of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides useful information on
guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad.
Additional information on the region can be found in the brochure "Tips for
Travelers to Russia."  Both publications are available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington
D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations:  Ukraine is a cash only economy.  Travelers' checks
and credit cards are rarely accepted, including for major purchases such as
airline tickets.  Customs regulations prohibit sending money through the
international mail system to Ukraine.  Money sent through the mail is
subject to confiscation.  In Ukraine, changing U.S. dollars for Ukrainian
coupons or another currency is legal only at banks, currency exchange desks
at hotels, and at licensed exchange booths.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences
and fines.

Other Information:  According to a U.S. Department of Energy analysis,
levels of background radiation and radiation found in food items affected by
the fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl Accident have decreased significantly
with time.  Radiation is no longer of any known medical significance to
travelers.  Tap-water samples submitted in the months following the accident
showed no detectable radiation.

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In March, 1993, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Ukraine's civil aviation authority as in
compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for
Ukraine's carriers operating to and from the U.S.  The same level of
safety oversight would typically be applied to operations to other
destinations.  For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873.

Registration:  Americans who register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy may obtain updated information on travel and security within the
Ukraine.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine is located at Yuria
Kotsubinskoho 10,  telephone [phone].

No. 94-190

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 15, 1993, to
delete information on the winter energy crisis and information on radiation
levels.  Added information includes, Ukraine registration requirements,
internal travel, aviation oversight, local crime information, and note a new
after-hours phone number for the U.S. Embassy.