Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, language, health, local time, business hours and holidays, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings,etc.
Last Published: 8/6/2019

Business Customs

Relationships are crucial in Ukrainian culture, and as a result, it is advisable to discuss important face-to-face. The format and mood of business meetings greatly depend upon the size of the Ukrainian company and its previous experience with foreign business representatives.  Regardless of size, all companies will observe the niceties, offering coffee, tea, water, and thank you for the meeting.

Taking into consideration the language barrier and the importance of body language, finding an interpreter you know and trust is imperative to ensure that the message you wish to convey to prospective business partners or clients is accurate. Take your hints from your counterparts. Be prepared with a meeting agenda, be on time or apologize if you are late. Be flexible, but firm in your objectives and ask questions if you aren’t clear on something under discussion.

It is polite to give at least one week's notice when requesting a meeting. Appointments should be reconfirmed shortly before the meeting day.
For additional tips on conducting effective business meetings in Ukraine, please read the U.S. Commercial Service in Ukraine's "Tips for Effective Business Meeting in Ukraine."
Background Notes are available on the U.S. Department of State's Travel & Business website.

Background information on Ukrainian culture and traditions is also available at the Embassy of Ukraine (in Washington D.C.) website.

Travel Advisory

Please review the Consular Information Sheet available on the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website for the latest travel advisories.
U.S. citizens are urged to follow the guidance in the Travel Warning for Ukraine and defer all travel to the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and the Crimean Peninsula at this time. 

Despite the signing of a ceasefire agreement in September 2014, violent clashes between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces continue in parts of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, resulting in thousands of injuries and deaths. In addition, Russian military forces continue to occupy the Crimean Peninsula and are present on the eastern border of Ukraine.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits U.S. civil aviation from flying in the Ukrainian Simferopol (UKFV) and Dnepropetrovsk (UKDV) Flight Information Regions.  This prohibition remains in effect.  For additional background information regarding FAA flight prohibitions and advisories for U.S. civil aviation, consult the FAA’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices web page.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ukraine are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest travel updates and to obtain updated information on security within Ukraine. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of an emergency.

Visa Requirements

A passport valid for six months beyond the planned date of travel is required for entry to Ukraine. U.S. citizens do not need a Ukrainian visa as long as their stay in Ukraine does not exceed 90 days and the purpose of travel is tourism, private travel, or business.

U.S. citizens whose stay in Ukraine exceeds 90 days must have a visa. U.S. citizens also must have an appropriate visa regardless of the length of stay if their purpose of travel is other than tourism, private travel, or business. The Government of Ukraine does not issue visas at its borders or ports of entry. Visas must be obtained from a Ukrainian embassy or consulate abroad. For additional information about Ukrainian visas and related policies, please contact the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign business persons to the U.S. should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links. State Department Visa Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html   
For more details please visit the U.S. Embassy Ukraine’s web site.   

Currency

The currency of Ukraine is the hryvnia (UAH), pronounced GREEV-NA.  There are 100 kopecks in a hryvnia.  The hryvnia is not fixed to the dollar or any other currency.  For current exchange rates please visit XE Corporation website

You cannot use foreign currency for transactions in Ukraine.  You will need to change your money at an exchange point, of which there are multiple in large and small towns alike.  Exchange rates will be clearly displayed on boards outside of the exchanges. Remember to bring crisp, clean bills to exchange, as old and damaged currency will not be accepted at exchange points.  Ukrainian currency is nearly impossible to exchange outside of Ukraine, so make sure to change your money back to dollars before leaving.

ATMs are commonplace in major cities, but it is best to avoid using ATMs outside of the U.S. embassy in Ukraine due to high levels of fraud and identity theft associated with using these machines in Ukraine.  Credit cards are also widely accepted in Ukraine, but for the same reasons it is not advisable to use ATMs, do not use your credit cards outside of globally branded hotels.

Telecommunications/Electric

Includes information on internet accessibility, the cellular phone technology in use, which U.S. cell phone services work in this country, the prevalence of Wi-Fi in hotels, what types of voltage and plugs are used, and other technological information of interest to U.S. businesses please visit the following web sites:
Visit Kyiv Ukraine 
Power Plugs and Sockets of the World

For telephone service information please visit:
How to Call Abroad
Phone codes for Ukrainian cities and regions are available on the following web sites:
Visit Kyiv Ukraine
Brama

Transportation

City bus and trolleybus services in Kyiv are inexpensive, cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and can be crowded and slow at times. If you aren’t familiar with the city and do not read Cyrillic, it is best to take a taxi.

The Metro (subway/local train) is probably the quickest public transport method and a bargain. Metro tokens can be purchased at individual stations; monthly passes are available at transportation kiosks. Metro maps are available at Kyiv Metro website.

As mentioned, taxi service is probably the most efficient form of transportation within the city. Private cars can also be hired for a reasonable price; however most drivers do not speak English. Be sure to agree on a price beforehand. You may order a taxi by phone.

Taxi services are listed at Go2Kiev and KievTaxi. UBER has also been available in Ukraine since July 2016.
Car rental services are offered by both U.S. and European Car rental companies:

  • Avis, tel.: +380 (44) 502-2010
  • Budget, tel.: +380 (44) 490-1088
  • Europcar , tel.: +380 (44) 220-3500
  • Hertz, tel.: +380 (44) 359-0991
  • SIXT run operations in Kyiv, Boryspil Airport, and other large cities.

Train travel is one of the least expensive and convenient methods of travel to reach just about any location in Ukraine. Although train travel is slow, it is generally safe. Train schedules are available on Ukrzaliznytsia website.  Overnight trains are inexpensive and particularly convenient if you are traveling a long distance.

Almost all international flights to Kyiv arrive at Boryspil International Airport  located 30 kilometers from Kyiv City center. Zhuliany-Kyiv is the other main airport, which handles most domestic flights. It is located 7 kilometers from the center of Kyiv.

United Airlines operates code-share flights with Austrian Air and Lufthansa; Delta Airlines code-share with Air France; Northwest with KLM; and American Airlines with Swiss Air Lines. Flight schedules are available on Pilot and KiyAvia websites.

Language

Ukrainian is the official state language of Ukraine (since 1990). However, Russian is widely used in Kyiv and especially in the cities of eastern Ukraine (and to a much lesser extent in western Ukraine). Although those in the political world and the local media use both languages, official documents are in Ukrainian. The number of English speakers is growing yearly. Some useful Ukrainian vocabulary to remember is DOBRIY DEHN (hello, good day); DYA-KOO-YOU (thank you); BOOD LASKA (please/you're welcome). For more information please visit the web site of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington D.C.

Health 

Bring prescriptions with you and avoid drinking tap water, including in hotels. Bottled water is available in major hotels and supermarkets at a reasonable cost. It is wise to make sure that all foods and utensils are thoroughly washed before use. Prior to travel, make sure your immunizations are up-to-date. Medical information, including information about medical evacuation, insurance and medical services in and outside of Kyiv is available on the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine’s web site.

Information on medical facilities and insurance is available on the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular affairs web site.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the CDC.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Ukrainian time is GMT+2 (Helsinki) and EST+7 (Eastern Standard Time). Ukraine observes daylight savings time from the last Sunday in March through the last Sunday in October.  To find the exact time in Ukraine, please visit Time and Date.

Work week: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Normal business hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Embassy will be closed to the public on the following American and Ukrainian holidays in 2019:

DateDayCountryHoliday
January 1TueU.S./UkraineNew Year’s Day
January 7MonUkraineOrthodox Christmas
January 21MonU.S.M. L. King Day
February 18MonU.S.Presidents' Day
March 8FriUkraineInternational Women’s Day
April 29*MonUkraineOrthodox Easter (observed)
April 30TueUkraineObserved governmental day
May 1WedUkraineInternational Labor Day
May 9ThuUkraineVictory Day
May 10FriUkraineObserved governmental day
May 27MonU.S.Memorial Day
June 17*MonUkraineHoly Trinity Day (observed)
June 28FriUkraineConstitution Day
July 4ThuU.S.Independence Day
August 26*MonUkraineIndependence Day (observed)
September 2MonU.S.Labor Day
October 14MonU.S./UkraineColumbus Day/ Ukrainian Defenders Day
November 11MonU.S.Veterans Day
November 28ThuU.S.Thanksgiving Day
December 25WedU.S./UkraineChristmas Day

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

According to Ukrainian law, a traveler can take cash in the amount, not exceeding the equivalent of €10,000 across the Ukrainian state border under an oral declaration. If the amount exceeds the equivalent of €10,000, the total amount must be declared in writing on the Customs Declaration Form upon entry/exit and supported by documents showing the origin of money (e.g. bank statements).Information on customs regulations is available on the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular affairs.

Travel Related Web Resources

U.S. Government
CIA World Factbook 
U.S. Embassy in Ukraine
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Travel Advisories
Government of Ukraine
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine  
Embassy of Ukraine in Washington D.C.
Other
Ukraine’s tourist information (general overview, main attractions and places of special interest)
Travel to Ukraine
Maps  
Web-search engines for Ukraine:
Meta
Google
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.