Flying to Kiev to visit my wife next week

[Paul&Anna 26]

I am flying to visit my wife next week. She just flew home at the end of August and had to download the app and get tested for covid 19. I am attaching two screenshots from the embassy website. It states that I can take a PCR test 48 hours “ Prior To Traveling “ to Ukraine. So key words are those. So to me that thatbwould mean 48 hrs before I board the plane at JFK airport here in the US. But I just want to be sure it doesn’t mean 48 hrs after arrival in Kiev. 
 

[Dashinka 24,505]

I would think it would mean 48 hrs prior to boarding the airplane since they would want the people on the plane free of the virus, and the first sentence of what you posted says you won't need to be tested or self-quarantine after arrival if you take the test beforehand.  That being said, if you want to be safe, try and schedule the test before departure, but 48hrs before arrival if that is possible.

 

Good Luck!

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

That is 

32 minutes ago, Paul&Anna said:

So to me that thatbwould mean 48 hrs before I board the plane at JFK airport here in the US. But I just want to be sure it doesn’t mean 48 hrs after arrival in Kiev. 

Looks to me like either 48 hours prior to travel or immediately upon arrival.  But, if you have the test done here in the US, you have to also receive the results and certificate within that 48 hours prior to travel.  Seems to me that getting the test there would be easier.......or am I missing something?

Edited October 14, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

It is up to 48 hours prior to arrival:

 

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persons who have a negative result of testing for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction, which was carried out not more than 48 hours before crossing the border

 

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осіб, які мають негативний результат тестування на COVID-19 методом полімеразної ланцюгової реакції, який проведено не більш як за 48 годин до перетинання кордону

https://moz.gov.ua/article/news/operativna-informacija-pro-poshirennja-koronavirusnoi-infekcii-2019-ncov2

 

3 options if you don't get the PCR test before arriving:

 

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Persons who cross the state border of Ukraine should install app "Dii Vdoma" and can choose one of three options:

1. Observation in specialized isolators;

2. 14 days self-isolation at the place of residence for persons who have agreed to undergo it using the "Dii Vdoma" mobile app;

3. Pass the COVID-19 test using the PCR method after crossing the state border.

 

The airports in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv have on-site PCR test facilities.

 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

1 hour ago, Paul&Anna said:

I am flying to visit my wife next week. She just flew home at the end of August and had to download the app and get tested for covid 19. I am attaching two screenshots from the embassy website. It states that I can take a PCR test 48 hours “ Prior To Traveling “ to Ukraine. So key words are those. So to me that thatbwould mean 48 hrs before I board the plane at JFK airport here in the US. But I just want to be sure it doesn’t mean 48 hrs after arrival in Kiev. 

 

You can go to the app store and download the "DII VDOMA" app now.  It works with any phone number, not just Ukrainian.  

 

However, the app will send you text notices on the phone number you register with the app.  So if you use your US phone number, make sure you have sms roaming to get the text messages, or be in wifi coverage (if your provider allows wifi sms). This will be temporary as long as you take the PCR covid test at the airport.  You need to self quarantine with the app until  you get the negative test result.

 

 

[Paul&Anna 26]

Yes i know how to use the app as my wife just did as she just flew back to Ukraine. I am just trying to do the other option of getting it done before I go. It reads as as long as it’s 48 hours before boarding the plane to fly to Ukraine. If that is the case I’m good to go. 

[Paul&Anna 26]

2 hours ago, Dashinka said:

I would think it would mean 48 hrs prior to boarding the airplane since they would want the people on the plane free of the virus, and the first sentence of what you posted says you won't need to be tested or self-quarantine after arrival if you take the test beforehand.  That being said, if you want to be safe, try and schedule the test before departure, but 48hrs before arrival if that is possible.

 

Good Luck!

Impossible to take the test, receive the results, board plane, fly to Kiev all in 48 hrs. But it is possible to take the test and have the results within 48 hours of boarding the plane. 

[Paul&Anna 26]

2 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

That is 

Looks to me like either 48 hours prior to travel or immediately upon arrival.  But, if you have the test done here in the US, you have to also receive the results and certificate within that 48 hours prior to travel.  Seems to me that getting the test there would be easier.......or am I missing something?

It’s easier for me to get it 48 hours before traveling and have the results. My Doctor already wrote the order. But read my reply above to what I’m trying to be certain about. Also they want the app to be used on a Ukrainian carrier and phone number. Then I have to try to pass the Boarder guys without providing them proof as we would have to put it on my wifes phone as I do not have an unlocked phone or Ukraine SIM card. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

On 10/14/2020 at 12:09 PM, Paul&Anna said:

Yes i know how to use the app as my wife just did as she just flew back to Ukraine. I am just trying to do the other option of getting it done before I go. It reads as as long as it’s 48 hours before boarding the plane to fly to Ukraine. If that is the case I’m good to go. 

On the official Ukraine government website, the requirement is 48 hours before crossing the border.  That means 48 hours before entering Ukraine at passport control at the airport.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

On 10/14/2020 at 12:17 PM, Paul&Anna said:

It’s easier for me to get it 48 hours before traveling and have the results. My Doctor already wrote the order. But read my reply above to what I’m trying to be certain about. Also they want the app to be used on a Ukrainian carrier and phone number. Then I have to try to pass the Boarder guys without providing them proof as we would have to put it on my wifes phone as I do not have an unlocked phone or Ukraine SIM card. 

DII VDOMA app works on any number, not just Ukrainian.

 

EDIT:  One complication if you use DII VDOMA with a non-Ukrainian number.  The app will require authentication via code texted to the number you enter, every time you start it up until you get past the border check.  This means you'll need international roaming for text to get the code at the airport in Kyiv.

Edited October 15, 2020 by SteveInBostonI130
Additional info

[Paul&Anna 26]

3 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

On the official Ukraine government website, the requirement is 48 hours before crossing the border.  That means 48 hours before entering Ukraine at passport control at the airport.

Ok then it seems impossible to test here in the states and get results that quick. Do you have the link to this? Even if it’s in Ukrainian language?

[Paul&Anna 26]

3 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

DII VDOMA app works on any number, not just Ukrainian.

 

EDIT:  One complication if you use DII VDOMA with a non-Ukrainian number.  The app will require authentication via code texted to the number you enter, every time you start it up until you get past the border check.  This means you'll need international roaming for text to get the code at the airport in Kyiv.

Last January my data did work there. I do not remember if my text also worked... I have Sprint which is also Tmobile. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

5 hours ago, Paul&Anna said:

Ok then it seems impossible to test here in the states and get results that quick. Do you have the link to this? Even if it’s in Ukrainian language?

Yes.  It is the link I provided in the first response.

[Ksenia_O 696]

I just came back from Ukraine - was there for about a month.

 

You can take a test upon arrival, at the airport. Easy and there are few lab providers there. I went with ADONIS - they seem like the quickest ones. 

 

So I landed in Kiev around 21.00, got tested at 22.30 and around 1.30-2.00 a.m got an email with results. Within few hours got a msg from Dii Vdoma that my self quarantine is over. 

 

About app. Not sure about your situation, but "people say' you can buy Ukrainian sim card upon arrival at the airport as well. Anyway - when I landed in Boryspol, there was a guy at passport control, who was helping people to deal with all of that/download the app BEFORE those people had to go through Customs/Passport Control. 

 

Also, you'd have to have a health insurance, that covers COVID -19. 

 

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
  • U.S. citizens visiting Ukraine must demonstrate that they have medical insurance covering all expenses related to COVID-19 treatment while on the territory of Ukraine. You can find further details and exceptions from this requirement on the Ministry’s website. Ukrainian health insurance coverage can be purchased online –https://visitukraine.today/

https://ua.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Edited October 19, 2020 by Ksenia_O

[Paul&Anna 26]

On 10/19/2020 at 12:03 PM, Ksenia_O said:

I just came back from Ukraine - was there for about a month.

 

You can take a test upon arrival, at the airport. Easy and there are few lab providers there. I went with ADONIS - they seem like the quickest ones. 

 

So I landed in Kiev around 21.00, got tested at 22.30 and around 1.30-2.00 a.m got an email with results. Within few hours got a msg from Dii Vdoma that my self quarantine is over. 

 

About app. Not sure about your situation, but "people say' you can buy Ukrainian sim card upon arrival at the airport as well. Anyway - when I landed in Boryspol, there was a guy at passport control, who was helping people to deal with all of that/download the app BEFORE those people had to go through Customs/Passport Control. 

 

Also, you'd have to have a health insurance, that covers COVID -19. 

 

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
  • U.S. citizens visiting Ukraine must demonstrate that they have medical insurance covering all expenses related to COVID-19 treatment while on the territory of Ukraine. You can find further details and exceptions from this requirement on the Ministry’s website. Ukrainian health insurance coverage can be purchased online –https://visitukraine.today/

https://ua.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Thanks! I just purchased the insurance. I downloaded the app. Last year my service worked there. My wife is going to meet me at the airport with a phone and a SIM card I can use if mine doesn’t work. I will look into that lab provider. I’m leaving JFK Thursday night. And I’m excited to see her.