The procedure for issuing an invitation to foreigners and stateless persons to obtain a visa to enter Ukraine is regulated:

• Constitution of Ukraine
• The Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons"
• Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 15 February 2012 No. 150 "On Approval of the Procedure for Extension of the Period of Stay and Extension or Reduction of the Period of Temporary Stay of Foreigners and Stateless Persons in the Territory of Ukraine"

An invitation from an individual to a foreigner or a stateless person is a notarised statement that serves as the basis for issuing a short-term visa type C for entry to Ukraine at a diplomatic mission or consular post of Ukraine abroad.

A short-stay visa provides that foreigners and stateless persons from countries with which Ukraine has established a visa procedure for entry into Ukraine in accordance with international agreements or the legislation of Ukraine will stay in Ukraine for a period not exceeding 90 days within 180 days from the date of first entry. A type C visa is most often issued for tourism, business trips or private visits. At present, a C-type visa is not issued to citizens of countries that are subject to visa-free entry.

Types of invitations in Ukraine

• guest / private (issued by an individual) - as a rule, this is an invitation to Ukraine from a relative or friend, a bridegroom / groom;
• original business / business invitation (issued by a legal entity) - an invitation from a Ukrainian company registered in Ukraine;
• tourist invitation (issued by a travel agency). It is one of the most popular invitations for a foreigner to Ukraine.

Who can apply

An invitation may be applied for by the receiving party - duly registered Ukrainian enterprises, institutions and organisations, representative offices (branches) of foreign enterprises, institutions, organisations, representative offices of international organisations (hereinafter referred to as legal entities), as well as individuals (citizens of Ukraine, foreigners and stateless persons) who permanently reside or temporarily stay in Ukraine in connection with study, internship, work or on other legal grounds and invite or receive foreigners and stateless persons.

Where to apply

The legislation defines certain grounds for obtaining a short-term visa. Among them:

• invitation from a state body, state institution, state enterprise, state organisation;
• an invitation from a legal entity registered in Ukraine, executed on an official letterhead with certain details specified in the Rules;
• a certificate of a foreign Ukrainian, with the spouses and their children submitting a document confirming family relations;
• a notarised invitation of an individual - a citizen of Ukraine, a foreigner or a stateless person who legally resides temporarily or permanently in Ukraine, etc.

Thus, as of 16 April 2017, an invitation to foreigners and stateless persons to obtain a visa to enter Ukraine issued by the State Migration Service of Ukraine is not a ground for obtaining a short-term visa to enter Ukraine.

Thus, an individual must apply to a notary to obtain such an invitation.

In turn, a legal entity must apply for such an invitation to the territorial body or subdivision of the State Migration Service of Ukraine at the place of its registration.