Ukraine
About
| Ukraine is one of the largest and most varied countries in Europe, Ukraine taking in the spectacular Carpathian Mountains in the west, the history-rich central plains and the stunning Black Sea coast in the south. Discover Kyiv, both the ancient cradle of Russian civilisation and the city from which the Orthodox faith spread throughout Eastern Europe. The extraordinary Golden Gate of Kyiv is the last remnant of the 10th-century walls built to defend the city. Enjoy a taste of culture at Kyiv's Opera House, the Museum of Ukrainian Art (with its collection of the work of regional artists from the 16th century to the present) and the Historical Museum of Ukraine. Marvel at the stunning Western Ukrainian town of Kamyanets-Podilsky, a medieval stunner set on a tall rock outcrop that has beguiled travellers for centuries and was famously described as ‘a stone flower on the rock' by poet Lesya Ukrayinka. |
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| Capital: | Kiev (IEV / KBP) |
| Currency: | Hryvnia (UAH) |
| Language: | Ukrainian and Russian |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 380 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +2 (same as South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +3; 1 hour ahead of South Africa |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Best Time to Go: | May to September |
| Best for: | Historical sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two round pins are used. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, and should be boiled or sterilised first. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. It is recommended to contact your embassy for medical advice. |
| Customs: | Shoes should be removed on entering a home. Women should cover their heads when entering a church or mosque. Avoid flashy displays of wealth in public. Men should not shake a woman’s hand unless it is offered to them. Other cultural norms: www.traveltoukraine.org/culturalnorms |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Credit cards are not widely accepted. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into Ukraine by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco • 1L of spirits and 2L of wine and 5L of beer • Food products to the value of €200, weighing no more than 2kg • Other goods to the value of €1,000 if arriving by air or €500 if arriving by land or sea, weighing no more than 50kg |
| Prohibited Imports: | Illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms. You must obtain authorisation to export cultural goods. |
Travel Alerts
Check local situation before finalising travel plans
This Information is intended as a Guideline.
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Ukraine
398 Marais Str, Brooklyn 0181 Pretoria
Tel: 012 460 1943
E-mail: consul_za@mfa.gov.ua
Website: www.mfa.gov.ua/rsa
Visa applications through VFS Global.
Public Holidays 2025: National Holidays are Currently Suspended
Public Holidays 2026: National Holidays are Currently Suspended
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by S.A passport holders.
South Africans visiting for tourist purposes may apply for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.gov.ua/.
Visa Applications can also be made through VFS Global.
VFS Global.
Tel: 012 425 3047
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/ukr
Cape Town: 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Durban: 4 Linden Road, Essenwood, Durban
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street , Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria
REQUIREMENTS:
If applying online for an e-visa, the following documents must be submitted via the portal:
- photo
- pages containing personal data from the passport
- health insurance policy (30,000 euro coverage)
- proof of sufficient funds (784 UAH per day)
- document confirming the purpose of the visit
If applying at VFS the following documents must be submitted:
- Visa form to be filled in online, then printed and signed: visa.mfa.gov.ua
- Valid passport
- 1 applicant’s photo (35 x 45 mm)
- Proof that the applicant is a holder of (or is entitled to benefit from) a valid medical/travel insurance policy to cover Ukraine and the period of stay (the policy should provide a minimum of €30 000 or equivalent coverage)
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of stay (e.g. bank statement for 2 recent months, cash in Ukrainian hryvnia/other convertible currency, bank cards along with current/savings account balance statements provided the bank cards can be cashed in Ukraine, hotel/accommodation booking, letter from the applicant’s employer/sponsor confirming their coverage of applicant’s expenses in Ukraine, a return/transit ticket etc)
- Proof that the applicant’s main purpose of journey to Ukraine is tourism (hotel/accommodation booking(s), programme of stay, information on the tour(s) and the tour(s’) timeframes, tourist agency details, transfer details, sightseeing information etc.).
Please note that applicants might be asked for additional documents by Ukraine’s visa officers (e.g. return flight tickets and other documents confirming applicants’ circumstances (to be defined by Ukraine’s visa officers of the relevant Embassy/Consulate General).
Visa Processing Time
E-Visa: within 3 working days.
Via VFS: usually 10 working days.
Visa Cost
E-VISA:
Single entry e-Visa: 20 USD
Double entry e-Visa: 30 USD
VIA VFS:
Short Term Visa: ZAR 1170
VFS Service Fee: ZAR 434
Under age 6: Free
SA Representative
South African Embassy
9/2 Velyka, Vasylkivska Street, 01004, Kiev
Tel: + 380 44 338 2602
Email: saemb.kiev@gmail.com
Web: www.facebook.com/saembkyivua/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio |
