Ukrainian & Belarusian VISA info pls??

[Declan]

Hi All,
Can anybody give me updated information regarding visas etc for border crossing from Moldova to Ukraine. I did do a search but am struggling to get updated posts on the current situation for EU passport holders.

In July we will ride to Chisinau in Moldova and then towards Odessa (keeping south of Transnistria) and northward then to Kiev and on to Belarus. Some questions...

1. Can I get a Ukranian visa at or before the border or is it better to apply to a Ukrainian embassy before we begin our trip?
2. If from the Embassy then how simple might it be to get invitation form a local - is it much paperwork for them?
3. Can I ask question 1 and 2 again in relation to Belarus?
4. Any other help tips or advice appreciated

Declan

[moggy 1968]

there is no requirement for a visa for Uktaine, they will do everything at the border. I haven't done this particular crossing but I have crossed from belarus and also from poland and this has been the situation then. will be crossing from Romania in june and believe non is needed still. Belarus has tighntened up a bit recently. my wife is from there and I have travelled there on about 6 occasions. I have always used avisa agent in southsea hampshire for my visa as they organised letters of invitation. you cannot get a belorusan visa at the border.

[Declan]

Thanks Moggy 1968,
That info is useful. I think i might PM you...

Declan

[Andysr6]

Hi, crossed from Romania into Moldova into Ukraine in 2009. I was worried about these borders because of bad reports here and elsewhere but had absolutely no problems and they were fairly quick. for UK residents a visa is not required. Beware of the many speed traps in the Ukraine, we kept our speed low and never got pulled but met 2 Poles that got stopped and fined 5 times in 2 days. Enjoy ur trip. Andy

[Declan]

Thanks Andysr6,
I hope the visa requirements are the same for us Irish as for ye guys. Thanks for the info...
Declan

[Knight of the Holy Graal]

It's my understanding that some areas of Belarus are still polluted with radioactivity from the nuclear disaster of 1986 in Chernobyl and radioactive food was found out while for sale, but I don't know if there's a real danger for a short stay like yours...

[Declan]

Originally Posted by Knight of the Holy Graal

It's my understanding that some areas of Belarus are still polluted with radioactivity from the nuclear disaster of 1986 in Chernobyl and radioactive food was found out while for sale, but I don't know if there's a real danger for a short stay like yours...

Thanks for that, I've been a number of times to Belarus and I usually eat all the local foods etc. I was told not to eat mushrooms from the forest but all elso ok.

Declan

[Tannu_Tuva]

I drove from the UK to the Chernobyl infected region of Belarus a couple of summers ago, it is a fascinating region.

This is a link to my trip report:

Desolation Travel: Dead Lands of Belarus: Travels Along A Desolate Border by Ben Rich

[Knight of the Holy Graal]

Originally Posted by Tannu_Tuva

I drove from the UK to the Chernobyl infected region of Belarus a couple of summers ago, it is a fascinating region.

This is a link to my trip report:

Desolation Travel: Dead Lands of Belarus: Travels Along A Desolate Border by Ben Rich

Thanks for sharing your report, I really loved to read it!

[Tannu_Tuva]

Originally Posted by Knight of the Holy Graal

Thanks for sharing your report, I really loved to read it!

You're welcome, glad you liked it.

[moggy 1968]

I have always used a visa agent in the UK for my visas and they sort out the invitation letter. Although my wife is Belorusan I take this as the prefered option rather than using her mothers address. because of the political situation there I prefer to try and distance myself administratively from her familly.
be advised the political situation is very difficult at the moment in Belarus. there are also problems getting any foreign currency in the country so you may not be able to change your rubbles back into anything else when you leave, so try not to overbuy
I'm off to Belarus and Ukraine at the end of june driving the support vehicle for 10 motorbikes visiting the Belorusan Orphanages. so far none of the bikers has had problems with visas, despite the governments dislike of charity trips.

[Tannu_Tuva]

The devaluation of the Belorusian Ruble whilst being a disaster for the locals and their savings ( although most had their savings in foreign currency ) is great for travellers. I think the official bank rate for the GBP is 8100 right now. However a note to British readers: not every bank will exchange pounds especially in the sticks. Therefore take Euros which have the best exchange rate on the black market too,hitting over 9000 according to friends in Minsk. Agree about not being able to buy back hard currency.

Moggy: I did'nt understand your comment about not using your mother-in-law's address because of the political situation. I'm sure you know belarus as well as I do,but do you mean because of your connection to a charity? I've used the mother-in-law's address for 5 years with no hint of a problem. No point paying for an invitation when there is no need to mate, the government don't worry about small fry like us, in fact I would say being foreign gives us a lot of leeway: I've been drunk on vodka with friends in Minsk's main square singing "Death to Lukashenko!" ( yeah it seemed a good idea at the time! )a policeman came over and said to my Belarusian friends "take the foreigner home lads" and sent us on our way. One thing those cops respect in the former USSR is a paralytic man

[Missadventure123]

Hi Moggy, which visa agency do you use ?