Visa Free Entry to Ukraine for British Citizens Extended for Another Year

The visa-free entry to Ukraine for British passport holders has been extended for another year to Jan. 30, 2025, and so will remain in line with other EU citizens.

The update entered into force on Jan. 9, the same day the presidential decree was published.

The changes are also reflected on the official British foreign travel advice site for Ukraine. 

The visa-free entry for citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the same as those for EU citizens, is subject to renewal every year since the country officially withdrew from the bloc in 2020.

Before the current extension, visa-free entry for British citizens was slated to expire on Jan. 30, 2024.

However, due to the ongoing Russian invasion, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) still advises against all travel to Ukraine.

For those who hold a temporary residence permit (TRP) in Ukraine, the document, even expired, remains valid throughout martial law and for 30 days afterward and allows the owner to return to Ukraine. It’s not clear whether this applies if the permit expired prior to the introduction of martial law, however.

The visa-free regime is not bilateral, and Ukrainian citizens still need to acquire a visa in order to enter the UK.

Due to the reciprocity principle of visa policies, British passport holders are also subject to higher fees for long-term visas to Ukraine, where an investor visa could cost  $2212 as opposed to $197 for US citizens.

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