Volunteer Visa to Ukraine (D-10)

This requirement does not apply to citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Armenia under the relevant international agreements.

Once you have found an appropriate public organisation that has agreed to invite you to volunteer in Ukraine, you will need to obtain the original invitation letter and apply for a D-10 visa at a Ukrainian diplomatic mission.

The main steps of the procedure include:

1. Obtaining an invitation letter: Once the NGO confirms its agreement to your participation, it should send you an invitation letter with attachments confirming the purpose of your visit.
2. Visa application: You will need to visit a Ukrainian diplomatic mission and apply for a D-10 visa. Make sure you have all required documents, including a valid international passport, a 35×45 mm photograph, medical insurance, a bank statement, the invitation letter with attachments, and proof of payment of the visa fee.
3. Obtaining the visa: After your application has been considered, you will be issued a volunteer visa valid for 90 days. Once the visa procedure is complete, you will be able to travel to Ukraine.
4. Applying for a temporary residence permit: After arriving in Ukraine, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit with the local office of the State Migration Service of Ukraine at your intended place of residence. The public organisation must prepare the relevant document for the temporary residence permit application, which must be submitted together with the standard set of documents.
5. Address registration: After receiving your temporary residence permit, you must register your address in accordance with the requirements of migration legislation.

To obtain any type of Ukrainian visa, unless otherwise provided by legislation or international treaties of Ukraine, the following documents must be submitted:

1. A passport document that must meet the following requirements:
   • Be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from Ukraine.
   • Contain at least 2 blank pages.
   • Have a validity period not exceeding 10 years.
2. A completed and signed visa application form.
3. One colour photograph measuring 35×45 mm.
4. A valid medical insurance policy covering expenses of at least EUR 30,000 or the equivalent in another currency. This requirement does not apply to holders of diplomatic or service passports.
5. Documents confirming sufficient financial means for the period of the planned stay in Ukraine and for return to the country of origin or transit to a third country. Evidence may also be required that the person can lawfully obtain sufficient financial means in Ukraine. These requirements are governed by the Procedure for Confirming Sufficient Financial Means of Foreigners and Stateless Persons for Entry into Ukraine, Stay in Its Territory, Transit through Its Territory, and Departure from Ukraine. When an application for a multiple-entry visa is considered, sufficient financial means are verified for the period of the first planned trip to Ukraine. This requirement does not apply to holders of diplomatic or service passports.
6. A document confirming payment of the consular fee, where required under Ukrainian legislation and international treaties.
7. For a D-10 volunteer visa, in addition to the documents listed above, an invitation must also be submitted from the relevant state authority responsible for implementing cultural, educational, scientific, sports, or volunteer programmes in which the foreign national or stateless person intends to participate in Ukraine, or an invitation from an organisation or institution that engages volunteers in its activities and whose information is published on the official website of the Ministry of Social Policy, together with a copy of the certificate of state registration of that organisation or institution.

Ukrainian embassies and consulates charge a consular fee for issuing all types of visas (transit, short-stay, and long-stay) at the basic rate of USD 65, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of Ukraine. However, for certain visa categories, foreign nationals of particular countries may be charged consular fees exceeding USD 65 on the basis of reciprocity (see the table).

For urgent visa processing or processing outside regular working hours, the consular fee is charged at double the standard rate.

Under the urgent processing procedure, the applicable fee rate is doubled.

If a visa is refused, the consular fee is non-refundable.

If you applied independently for a D-10 volunteer visa to Ukraine but received a refusal, do not lose hope. An immigration lawyer can become a reliable partner and assist you in this situation.

Foreign nationals and stateless persons who have been refused a visa for entry into Ukraine have the right to appeal the decision to the authorised body that considered their visa application. To do so, an appeal letter must be submitted setting out the grounds for disagreement and requesting reconsideration of the visa application. The appeal letter must be submitted within 60 working days after receipt of the visa refusal decision.

The visa application is reconsidered by an authorised official within a period not exceeding 10 working days from receipt of the appeal letter.

If a refusal decision is issued following reconsideration of the visa application, a further appeal letter may not be submitted.

Please note that the consular fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.

As a professional immigration lawyer, Ivan Goncharov can provide competent legal assistance in appealing a refusal to issue a visa to Ukraine. He has in-depth knowledge and understanding of immigration law and experience handling similar cases. With Ivan Goncharov’s assistance, you can receive high-quality representation and support throughout the visa refusal appeal process, helping you protect your rights and interests to the fullest extent possible.