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

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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.

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1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

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

Declan

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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

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

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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...

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

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

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the locals still eat the mushrooms, but I wouldn't reccommend it. genrally no risk on a trip of this type. you would probably get more radiation afterliving in a stone cottage in cornwall all your life! the risk is from prolonged exposure.

here is the advice I posted on the chernobyl challenge 2011 forum re getting pulled by the rozzers.

during soviet times these were very nasty people indeed, and people like that don't change just because someone knocked a bit of wall down. I know, I've been stopped in Russia, Poland, Germany and Belarus, so most of the countries we'll be going through. the only reason I haven't been arrested in Romania is 'cos I've never been there!!
the drill is this
do not get the translator involved! as soon as they know someone speaks the lingo your at a disadvantage. play the stupid tourist and your in with a chance.
you will be expected to pay a fine. this may start at 50e, maybe more. DON'T pay it!pleade poverty, insanity, a large group of hungry children, any thing but don't pay. make excuses about why you have transgressed, however stupid they may seem (I was tried claiming I thought the speed limit was in miles an hour not kmh, and got off!). when the time seems right, start negotiating. start with the lowest value note you have in your emergency stash. this is a stash of not more than 20e kept seperate from your main money (if you fetch out a wad of euros it's gonna cost you). about 20 euro is the max you should pay unless things are getting really nasty.
remember, they will get bored too.
using these tactics in many countries I have got off a lot more often than I have paid. remember 50e is a weeks wages to these guys so is a ridiculous amount to pay. we are not a gravy train! paying too much makes for an expensive trip and makes life a lot harder for those that follow us.

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1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

Hello Declan,

we have been to Ukraine and Moldova in 2009 (2 entries each). Everything was fine, although we have met police, that wanted some money from us (UA only). But in general we had only good experiences with people, the ukrainians perhaps are a little bit more reserved, than people in Moldova or Romania. All travellers, that we spoke to, who have been there in 2010, didn't have any problems.

We plan to go to Moldova in next April, and in July we probably go to Belarus. We only use visa agents, because it is easy, and they know how to do it.

At the moment we almost have started our researches on Belarus, but if you are interested in exchanging some infos/plans about Belarus, that would be great. We will not only go for transit, I think we plan something like 7-8 days for Belarus.

Marc

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Hi Marc,
Thanks for that! We plan to stay about 10 days in Belarus from mid July. Our route is here and we plan several stops in Belarus-mostly in the Brest Region. I have been to Belarus many times before but mostly by aircraft rather than road.

Declan

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Hi Declan,

at the moment we try to get visa for belarus. We have two possibilities: Book all nights in hotels in advance to get a tourist visa, OR have a private address of someone to get a private travel visa.

Because we don't want to book everythings in advance, we are looking for a private belarussian address. We don't have this at this moment.

How are your conditions to get a visa for Belarus? How do you manage this?

Kind regards,
Marc

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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

There are agencies in Minsk who can help you re. visa support. You will probably have to book a night's accommodation to get one but it's a price worth paying.

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

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

You're welcome, glad you liked it.