Ukrainians holding short-term visas can apply for multiple-entry visas from mid-May 2014. Residents of Ukraine applying for Schengen visas for the first time will be given the opportunity to obtain a double-entry visa with a validity period of six months.
The issue of making it as quick and easy as possible for Ukrainian citizens to obtain a visa was discussed in Lviv during consultations between Ukraine and Poland on consular and legal issues. It was these discussions that led to the general decision to grant multiple-entry and six-month double-entry visas, which makes exclusive vacations more accessible for people who had not previously dreamed of such an opportunity to spend a vacation or a weekend.
As part of the consultations held, representatives of the two neighboring countries discussed and finalized the rules regarding border movement at the local level.
— a period of 90 days is established, during which from the date of the next entry is allowed to stay within the border zone;
— for Ukrainians crossing the border once again, from the second time the fee charged for issuance of authorization documents is canceled;
— residents of Ukraine, if they carefully study all the requirements, will find that there is no clause indicating the need to carry an insurance policy in case of crossing the Ukrainian-Polish cordons;
— the list of settlements included in the 30-kilometer border zone has been expanded.
A report circulated by the Department of Information Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine describes one of the impressive decisions of the Polish government. Citizens resettled from the Polish territory or their heirs get a «green light» in terms of simplification of obtaining visas. The document establishes the right for these persons to apply for a visa for 2 years or for 5 years in case of its absence. At the same time, a person in the status of an accompanying person, relative or guardian is allowed to obtain a visa.
Earlier the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed similar issues, announcing a simplified procedure for obtaining visas for the population of Ukraine from April 22, 2014. Johanna Hrogova, spokeswoman for the Czech Foreign Ministry, drew the attention of Ukrainians with Czech roots to the fact that the decision was made to issue free visas. Such measures will affect applicants over 60 years of age, as well as those under 26 years of age