When planning to enter Ukraine, Russians should study the new rules for crossing Ukrainian borders so that they are not turned away by State Border Guard Service employees. However, the requirements for Ukrainians who are going to the Russian Federation have also changed.

What is important to know in order to freely enter the territory of Ukraine? What documents should you be armed with to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border, and what items should you not take with you on your trip? Are there new requirements for those planning to enter Ukraine for permanent residence?

Basic rules for Russian citizens


Until relatively recently, it was possible for Russians to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border only if they had a state passport. Now such an identity document is not enough.

The main requirement, which came into force in March 2015, is that a citizen of the Russian Federation must have a foreign passport with him to enter Ukraine.

The same rule applies to children. They need to get a personal foreign passport. Alternatively, they can be included in the parent one.

Why were the rules for entering Ukraine for Russian citizens earlier simpler? They were based on an agreement on visa-free travel signed by states. It said that Ukrainians and Russians have the right to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border, having in their hands a general passport or a birth certificate (for children). By the way, this rule has still been preserved for citizens of Ukraine.

However, the new procedure allows that a Russian can enter a neighboring country to move for permanent residence or for another purpose, by showing other documents. The list of acceptable identification documents includes a flight license, a sailor's passport, and a diplomatic worker's passport.

Preparing to cross the border

Although travelers share different experiences, it doesn't hurt to thoroughly prepare before entering Ukraine. As practice shows, it is not uncommon for border guards to request additional documents. Due to the absence of this or that piece of paper, a person can be turned away.

For example, it would not hurt a Russian citizen to have a return ticket in his hands. In this case, it is less likely that state border service officers will have additional questions. A person will be allowed through if he shows a certificate indicating the death or illness of a close relative.

When planning to enter Ukraine, it is better to take care of receiving an invitation from the Ukrainian side. It can be issued by both an individual and a legal entity. Such documents must be certified by a notary. Do not be surprised if at the border a Russian citizen is asked for the contact information of the inviting party.

Separately, it is worth discussing the financial aspect. Since certain requirements have been developed for Russians when entering Ukraine. From the end of 2015, citizens of the Russian Federation who do not have cash on hand equivalent to 837 hryvnia for one day of stay will not be able to enter the country. However, it is not necessary to bring currency with you. You can take care of documentary evidence of financial security.


For example, in order to enter Ukraine for tourism purposes, and not to move for permanent residence, it is worth taking a bank statement about the availability of funds in the account. Alternatively, a bank card will do. But you need to attach a certificate confirming that there is money in the account. This could be an ATM statement.

It is worth understanding that the financial aspect is very important. If you do not provide the above-mentioned documents or do not show funds, then border guards may deny entry into the country. Ukraine also provides for penalties for violators of migration laws. For example, a foreigner who stayed in the country longer than the prescribed period can be punished in the amount of 510 to 850 hryvnia. It is curious that sometimes punishment is applied to the receiving party.

Requirements for citizens of Ukraine

Having studied the rules for crossing the border for Russians, it’s time to get acquainted with the main requirements put forward to Ukrainians. You can immediately notice that there are practically no difficulties when entering Russia from Ukraine. Since the procedure for passing border control has been simplified, and a minimum of documents is required from ordinary citizens.


It is worth emphasizing that the Russian Federation has indeed tightened its requirements for many foreigners. For most CIS countries that are not members of the Customs Union, the rule of presenting a foreign passport at the border has become new. But leaving Ukraine for any purpose, including moving for permanent residence, is possible if you have a national document.

Having arrived on the territory of the Russian Federation, a Ukrainian can stay there for up to 90 days maximum. They can be calculated in total during one half-year. No special registration is required for such a stay. It is enough to fill out a migration card at the border and comply with the departure dates indicated on it.

But when a citizen of Ukraine plans to move to Russia for permanent residence in order to find work in the country, then the authorities must be notified about this. First of all, you should register with the Federal Migration Service. Next, you have to collect documents to obtain permission to stay in the Russian Federation. Their list depends on the purpose of moving to Russia: it is one thing if a Ukrainian remains for permanent residence, joining relatives, and quite another when he starts changes in life in search of a better place of employment.

It is important to understand that violation of the requirements of migration legislation is fraught with consequences for any foreigner, including a Ukrainian citizen. If he does not promptly notify the FMS that he came for permanent residence or for employment, or stayed in the state for longer than the required 90 days, then administrative measures may be applied to him. For example, the service has every right to ban entry into Russia for a Ukrainian who has ignored the established procedure. Most often, the ban lasts for three years, and the starting point is the date when the offender left the Russian Federation.

Do not forget that you can plan to leave Ukraine not only for the purpose of staying in Russia for permanent residence or finding work there. The Russian Federation does not put any barriers when a Ukrainian wants to get a higher education at a Russian university. There are conditions for those who decide to enlist in the army under a contract. In each specific case, a permit is issued, the validity period of which depends on the situation.

Possible difficulties at the border

If Ukrainians are not subject to special requirements when moving from Ukraine to Russia and back, then citizens of the Russian Federation are not very lucky in this regard. They can be turned around and sent home when there is no piece of paper in their hands that is insignificant at first glance.

But there are also specific customs rules that should not be violated. Because there are items prohibited for import. You can take with you:

  • camera;
  • video camera;
  • cellular telephone;
  • laptop;
  • e-book;
  • bike;
  • flash cards.

However, there are restrictions on the number of electronic gadgets. For example, mobile phones, laptops and electronic books are acceptable if there are no more than two of them per person. You should not take more than three flash drives. Customs officers have every right to assess the value of imported items. Their total assessment should not exceed 500 euros if a Russian enters Ukraine by land, and 1000 euros when he travels by plane.

There are also weight restrictions. When traveling to Ukraine, you can take with you up to 50 kilograms. The legality of transporting animals is strictly monitored: they must be issued a veterinary certificate. But if we are talking about traveling with a child, then Russians have it easier in this regard. Since leaving Ukraine for Russian territory for permanent residence and for any other purpose is possible in the presence of both parents. If at least one is missing, a notarized permission will be required from the second.

A foreigner has the right to import funds in an amount equivalent to 10 thousand euros and not more. He can also bring food, but their cost should not exceed 200 euros. Moreover, each individual product should not weigh more than 2 kilograms.

Separate restrictions are set for alcohol and spirits. One Russian has the right to bring up to 200 cigarettes to Ukraine. He can also carry up to a liter of vodka, up to 2 liters of wine and up to 5 liters of beer.

Myths and truth about special difficulties for Russians

After the aggravation of the political situation in society, various rumors began to arise about who could travel to Ukraine from Russia for various purposes, including moving for permanent residence. Many citizens shared their experience that they were turned away at the border without reason. And this information turned out to be true: border guards often refuse entry without specifically explaining the reasons.

There were also rumors that men with Russian citizenship were not allowed into Ukraine at all. And they were not unreasonable. Because the issue has really been discussed to ban representatives of the stronger half of humanity from entering Ukrainian territory.

Fortunately, the rumors turned out to be exaggerated. Currently, border guards allow men into Ukraine, but they really look at them more carefully. To avoid being denied entry, it is better to secure an invitation from the Ukrainian side.

But there is no point in trying to enter the country through the Crimean Peninsula. Such a move may qualify as illegal entry into the territory of the state. If necessary, it is better to go first to Ukraine, then go through it to Crimea and back the same way.

There are also difficulties in traveling through the ATO zone. They affected both Russians and Ukrainians. A special pass is required for such a trip.