Since September when Yanukovych and his cronies passed a law changing the visa-free system from a constantly renewable 90 days to 90 days in every 180, the ex-pat community has been in turmoil. While the law was never ratified, some border guards chose to implement it, handing out hefty fines to those who overstayed their welcome. As of 1 April that will all change, but not in a way that will satisfy the international community.

Confusion has ruled amongst the ex-pat community here in Kyiv since September, with everyone using the visa-free system to stay in the country wondering whether they will be allowed to re-enter when doing their 90-day border run. Border guards have taken it upon themselves to decide whether or not to implement the law passed by the Party of Regions just prior to the elections but which was never ratified by the president as is necessary. While there have been no instances reported of anyone being refused re-entry, many people have been forced to pay hefty fines. Unsure of their position, they have shelled out the cash, just to be on the safe side. Now, however, that will all change as a new law cancelling the visa-free system altogether, which is still officially in a trial phase, has been passed by parliament and ratified by the president. Essentially, the new law will mean a return to the days prior to the implementation of the visa-free system, and will mean that all foreigners will have to apply for a visa before entering the country, even if they are just visiting the country for a short period as tourists. As of 1 April, when the new law comes into effect, all foreigners wishing to visit Ukraine will have to undergo a complicated and extensive visa application process. The process of applying for a visa for Ukraine will have to be commenced a minimum of six weeks before travel. The first step will be completing a complicated and lengthy online application form which will be in Ukrainian, meaning most people will have to hire the services of a translator. The application will be submitted online, which will have to be supported by an invitation officially registered and duly stamped in Ukraine and the applicant will be issued with a date for an interview, usually within a month of submitting the application. This is when things will get really difficult, not to mention time consuming. 200 people will be issued with a 9:00am interview time on any given day, and there will be a mandatory wait of a minimum of three hours. It is recommended that applicants try to arrive at least an hour prior to their given appointment time which, while it not being possible to reduce the waiting time to less than three hours, will mean that you don't have to stand inline for a whole lot longer than that. It is estimated that those arriving on time or a little late could wait almost double the mandatory minimum. By the new law, it is also compulsory that the interview itself is as humiliating and degrading as is humanly possible, and that all applicants are treated with the utmost suspicion. Men travelling to visit Ukrainian girlfriends or fiancees will be treated especially harshly, and it is written into the law that it is necessary they prove the relationship is 'real' and they will not be a flight risk. Invitations will need to be supported by photographs and any personal communication including emails and SMSs proving the relationship. Applicants will also have to prove their earnings in their home country to further ensure they will return once their visa has expired The visa fee will be $500 to start with, and this will be paid along with the initial application and will not be refundable should the application be denied, which is highly likely as, according to the law, at least 50% of applications have to be rejected. Initially the maximum length of a visitor visa for Ukraine will be six months and be single entry only. Dates of arrival and departure will have to be given and they must be adhered to. Should your application be denied your passport will be stamped accordingly, making further applications for Ukraine, or any other CIS country for that matter, much more difficult, if not impossible. When asked about the reason for these changes, a source close to the government said with passion: "We are going to make it as difficult for you bastards as you make it for us." And all this is only for visitors visas. Obtaining a work permit for Ukraine is already a difficult task that requires that all foreigners can only take a job here if no Ukrainian can perform the task to the same standard. Under the new law, this criteria is going to be much more strictly enforced, and the candidate will have to prove their suitability by providing diplomas, a CV, and by sitting a series of oral and written exams on the subject. Obtaining a work permit in no way guarantees a work visa to go with it, and the system of applying for such a visa will be even more rigorous than that of a visitor visa. On top of all that, any foreigner legally working in Ukraine will now be subject to a series of checks regarding declared and actual income, tax and much more. The good news is that those currently here on the 90 day visa-free system will be allowed to remain in the country until that time is up, but after 1 April, once the 90 days have passed they will have to return to their home country and commence the lengthy and difficult visa application process should they wish to return. 
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 Neil Campbell