Ukraine Situation/Dual Citizenship

[captainofiron 2]

Question for everyone on here.

 

My wife has a complicated past due to the USSR breakup, and that her parents like to go out of their way to do things the shadiest/crooked way possible.

 

As such my wife was born in Ukraine, has Ukrainian citizenship, has an internal Ukrainian passport and is registered in her birth city there..

 

AND she has a Russian passport (internal and international), Russian citizenship and is registered at her parents address.

 

AND NOW has US Citizenship and US Passport.

 

Her Grandmother keeps insisting we visit her in Ukraine and has finally convinced my wife to go, but with all the political drama and stricter laws trying to get pushed through because of dual citizenship, I am very concerned.

 

My wife called the embassy and got nowhere, the woman treated her very rudely and did not answer any questions.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I have never been to Ukraine, only Russia and I do not want to walk into a Civil War OR worse have my wife thrown in Jail because she has dual (triple) citizenship.

 

Thanks

[millefleur 5,046]

Would the Ukrainian authorities know about her Russian citizenship? If she is not coming from Russia on this trip or doing anything that involves Russia, I don't see why she would need to show or declare that she has Russian citizenship. Show the US passport, show the Ukrainian passport...that's all they need to know. It says she was born in Ukraine, she has a Ukrainian passport...i don't see any reason why they'd ask if she is somehow also Russian.

 

The US citizenship should be no big deal at all. They see such dual citizens all the time at airports.

[captainofiron 2]

4 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Would the Ukrainian authorities know about her Russian citizenship? If she is not coming from Russia on this trip or doing anything that involves Russia, I don't see why she would need to show or declare that she has Russian citizenship. Show the US passport, show the Ukrainian passport...that's all they need to know. It says she was born in Ukraine, she has a Ukrainian passport...i don't see any reason why they'd ask if she is somehow also Russian.

 

The US citizenship should be no big deal at all. They see such dual citizens all the time at airports.

thats the sticking point, in Ukraine its illegal to be a dual citizen (10 years of prison supposedly), and her US passport says Ukraine on her country of Birth. Add to that she never got an exit visa to live in Russia let alone the USA

 

She is concerned that the person entering will catch on to all that.

 

Sheesh, as I write this, I feel like I am in a novel or soap opera...

[millefleur 5,046]

Just now, captainofiron said:

thats the sticking point, in Ukraine its illegal to be a dual citizen (10 years of prison supposedly), and her US passport says Ukraine on her country of Birth. Add to that she never got an exit visa to live in Russia let alone the USA

 

She is concerned that the person entering will catch on to all that.

 

Sheesh, as I write this, I feel like I am in a novel or soap opera...

Ohhhhh. Sorry. I had no idea that dual citizenship was illegal in Ukraine. Hm.

 

This is complicated. I would say just enter on the Russian passport but since it says she was born in Ukraine the might ask about Ukrainian citizenship. Has she ever traveled to Ukraine before as a dual citizen? What happened then, if so?

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Wouldn't it be best to apply for Ukrainian visa as an American to be on the safe side,  same as you?

I read that you have 2 years to denounce the Ukrainian citizenship. When did she become naturalized in the US?

 

Edit: don't quote me on the two years...don't remember where I read that. 

Edited May 25, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[millefleur 5,046]

2 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

Wouldn't it be best to apply for Ukrainian visa as an American to be on the safe side,  same as you?

I read that you have 2 years to denounce the Ukrainian citizenship. When did she become naturalized in the US?

 

Edit: don't quote me on the two years...don't remember where I read that. 

They might question her about having a previous Ukrainian citizenship and she might get a Ukrainian visa denied. I think that's the OP's concern here. I think it's technically illegal to apply for a visa when you're actually a citizen of that country....you would have to lie more or less.

 

Plus since it says she was born in Ukraine on her other passports, the question might pop up at the border.

 

I hope some Ukrainians chime in on this thread to clarify. Clearly this isn't the first time someone has been in this situation.

[Coco8 1,042]

Have you tried calling the US embassy/consulate in the Ukraine? You mentioned she called an embassy but not which one. 

 

It also seems to matter exactly where you are traveling. See DOS advice:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/ukraine.html

 

And there is a travel warning for Crimea and other regions: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/ukraine-travel-warning.html

 

If you are worried, maybe they can meet somewhere else? 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

They might question her about having a previous Ukrainian citizenship and she might get a Ukrainian visa denied. I think that's the OP's concern here. I think it's technically illegal to apply for a visa when you're actually a citizen of that country....you would have to lie more or less.

Well naturally she would renounce the citizenship first. It's not illegal to have been a citizen and travelling back after not being it anymore. That's why I asked how long since she was naturalized.

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

Plus since it says she was born in Ukraine on her other passports, the question might pop up at the border.

Wouldn't be a problem if she had a visa (as a non-citizen)....

[captainofiron 2]

17 hours ago, millefleur said:

Ohhhhh. Sorry. I had no idea that dual citizenship was illegal in Ukraine. Hm.

 

This is complicated. I would say just enter on the Russian passport but since it says she was born in Ukraine the might ask about Ukrainian citizenship. Has she ever traveled to Ukraine before as a dual citizen? What happened then, if so?

On her Russian passport it says USSR as birth country, BUT its expired.

Its been a long time since she has been in Ukraine, last time was like '08, but Russia and Ukraine were good buddies back then and she said they wouldnt really even check her Russian passport on the train ride in.

 

16 hours ago, Suss&Camm said:

Wouldn't it be best to apply for Ukrainian visa as an American to be on the safe side,  same as you?

I read that you have 2 years to denounce the Ukrainian citizenship. When did she become naturalized in the US?

 

Edit: don't quote me on the two years...don't remember where I read that. 

Americans do not need a visa to enter the US, she actually became a citizen earlier this year, BUT the question still is there about the lack of an exit visa, lack of an international Ukrainian passport, so to me, if I was in the shoes of the Ukrainian official would be "how did you leave the country in the first place?"

 

16 hours ago, Coco8 said:

Have you tried calling the US embassy/consulate in the Ukraine? You mentioned she called an embassy but not which one. 

 

It also seems to matter exactly where you are traveling. See DOS advice:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/ukraine.html

 

And there is a travel warning for Crimea and other regions: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/ukraine-travel-warning.html

 

If you are worried, maybe they can meet somewhere else? 

She called the Ukrainian embassy in DC

 

we are traveling to Kiev and Kirovograd/Kropyvnytski

 

her grandparents do not want to travel either to Russia or here, its like meet at my house or nothing...

 

15 hours ago, Suss&Camm said:

Well naturally she would renounce the citizenship first. It's not illegal to have been a citizen and travelling back after not being it anymore. That's why I asked how long since she was naturalized.

Wouldn't be a problem if she had a visa (as a non-citizen)....

thats another question we had, her aunt who lives in Europe and is an Italian citizen was told that she had to go back after gaining her Italian citizenship and denounce it in Ukraine, I find that hard to believe

 

but it seems like whenever we try to get legal info on Ukraine/Russia all we get is hearsay and misinformation

 

[millefleur 5,046]

I know this thread is old but:

Here is a more recent thread on travel:

They recommend entering Ukraine with a Ukrainian passport and the US with the US passport.

 

[Ksenia_O 696]

 

1. US citizens don't need a visa to travel to Ukraine. 

2.  Kyiv is safe, so is Kirovograd. Ukraine just had huge event (beginning of May) that takes place every year in different cities of Europe - Eurovision Song Contest 2017.  There were a lot of people, from different country across the Europe. No problem. 

I personally  travel to Ukraine at least twice a year - my parents are in Kyiv.

 

And where did you get the info about 10 years of imprisoning for having dual citizenship???!!!..

 

Yes, a lot of speculations go around this, and "thanks" to doubtful media these rumors keep spreading, but  such a "Law" has never been adopted!  

And they are talking only about  those with dual citizenship. who are going to vote in elections or to hold a public office. Voting would bring a prison term of three to five years, while those who took a public office giving them access to a state secret may go to jail for up to 10 years. That's it! If such a "Law" will ever be passed.

And definitely nobody is going to "chase" your wife after landing in Borispol. 

Edited May 26, 2017 by Ksenia_O

[Coco8 1,042]

1 hour ago, captainofiron said:

 

She called the Ukrainian embassy in DC

 

 

She is American so she should call the American embassy in the Ukraine. (I know she has dual citizenship but she should get in as American because if something happens, they know she is there and they will help) - The link I gave you before has numbers for the embassy in the Ukraine.

 

 

[captainofiron 2]

1 hour ago, Ksenia_O said:

 

1. US citizens don't need a visa to travel to Ukraine. 

2.  Kyiv is safe, so is Kirovograd. Ukraine just had huge event (beginning of May) that takes place every year in different cities of Europe - Eurovision Song Contest 2017.  There were a lot of people, from different country across the Europe. No problem. 

I personally  travel to Ukraine at least twice a year - my parents are in Kyiv.

 

And where did you get the info about 10 years of imprisoning for having dual citizenship???!!!..

 

Yes, a lot of speculations go around this, and "thanks" to doubtful media these rumors keep spreading, but  such a "Law" has never been adopted!  

And they are talking only about  those with dual citizenship. who are going to vote in elections or to hold a public office. Voting would bring a prison term of three to five years, while those who took a public office giving them access to a state secret may go to jail for up to 10 years. That's it! If such a "Law" will ever be passed.

And definitely nobody is going to "chase" your wife after landing in Borispol. 

Do you enter Ukraine on a US passport?

 

About the 10 years, if you google Ukrainian citizenship, there are at least 3 bills (No 4116, 5433)  in the rada to ban them and apparently the president is pushing for it to pass even though it would ban millions

Now if its just the media going crazy that is one thing, but it seems like we can never find solid information directly from a Governmental entity when it comes to the former USSR

 

as far as chasing her, I dont think so either, but getting detained and having to bribe our way out, maybe

 

32 minutes ago, Coco8 said:

 

She is American so she should call the American embassy in the Ukraine. (I know she has dual citizenship but she should get in as American because if something happens, they know she is there and they will help) - The link I gave you before has numbers for the embassy in the Ukraine.

 

 

My concern is entry, getting detained or something along those lines, not so much traveling inside when we might need to go to the US embassy

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 hours ago, captainofiron said:

On her Russian passport it says USSR as birth country, BUT its expired.

Its been a long time since she has been in Ukraine, last time was like '08, but Russia and Ukraine were good buddies back then and she said they wouldnt really even check her Russian passport on the train ride in.

 

Americans do not need a visa to enter the US

Lol - ofc not - I meant since she is an American, she would need a visa for UKRAINE - same as you

2 hours ago, captainofiron said:

thats another question we had, her aunt who lives in Europe and is an Italian citizen was told that she had to go back after gaining her Italian citizenship and denounce it in Ukraine, I find that hard to believe

 

but it seems like whenever we try to get legal info on Ukraine/Russia all we get is hearsay and misinformation

 

That you would need to find out - I also find that hard to believe.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 hour ago, Ksenia_O said:

1. US citizens don't need a visa to travel to Ukraine. 

Good for OP  - just assumed Ukraine had strict visa policies.

Edited May 26, 2017 by Suss&Camm