Posted by Jorge Zukoski on Oct 20, 2011 in News & Updates, President's Opinion | 0 comments
Ukraine-EU relations have seen many changes over the years as has the country’s foreign policy in general under different political leadership since independence. Despite everyone’s expectations, President Yanukovych’s administration has tried not to choose a clear European or Russian orientation. It was quite a surprise when Yanukovych’s first presidential visit was to Brussels. Today Ukrainian-European relations are moving forward, and one of the important steps in this regard is the new standardized rules for issuing visas to enter Ukraine and for acquiring temporary residence status.
On September 10th, 2011 Resolution #567 of the Cabinet of Ministers “On Approval of the Changes to Issuing Visas for Entering Ukraine and Transit Through its Territory” came into force. The Resolution introduces major changes to the Ukrainian visa rules and supplements the list of persons entitled to obtain temporary residence permits. Overall, the new legislation is designed to standardize the visa and temporary residence rules and practice and to bring these rules closer to European Union standards. The Resolution also expands the list of persons entitled to obtain temporary residence permits in Ukraine and obliges all foreign nationals to prove their financial good standing upon entering Ukraine.
The American Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) is keeping an eye on the recent changes and is actively involved in the process of clarification and further improvement. To give Chamber Members a clear vision of the changes and their consequences, a Chamber Round Table recently took place in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, featuring guest speaker Mr. Andriy Olefirov, Director-General for the Consular Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Mr. Olefirov highlighted the main aspects of the new visa regulation and stressed that immigration legislation was going to continue to be improved, as Draft Law of Ukraine #8570 “On the Status of Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons” would be adopted in the second reading in late September or early October. He informed the meeting participants that Mr. Andriy Kluyev, First Vice-Prime-Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Trade, had urged Parliament to consider this Draft Law on a priority basis. It was also clarified that, among other changes, this document will finally grant family members of foreign employees in Ukraine the right to obtain temporary residence permits. Mr. Olefirov also mentioned that the Resolution not only amends regulation of visa issues (such as issues pertaining to types, fees and procedures), but also expands the list of persons entitled to obtain temporary residence permits in Ukraine.
The Chamber looks forward to further improvements in the procedures for obtaining visas and work permits for foreigners, as they remain a key to creating favorable conditions for business in Ukraine and increasing its economic competitiveness. We would like to express our gratitude to Ms. Julia Kadibash, Senior Manager, HRS Group, PwC and Ms. Olga Tauzhnianska, Senior Consultant, HRS Group, PwC for their significant contribution to Chamber HR Committee activities in the context of this topic.