Re: Its stupid to have such harsh visa restrictions.

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: : : I live in the US with my family. Last summer, we decided to go to Kiev to visit our relatives... I was in for a surprise: They wouldn't let me in!!! I'm a citizen and we had trouble getting in. If it was so hard for us to get in, how hard must it be for non-citizens? : : : Everyone is complaining about how poor the Ukraine is. One of the major reasons for that is the absolute lack of trade with the western world. There can be no trade if people cannot get into the country. The Ukraine is the geographical center of Euro-Asia, imagine how much trade a city like Kiev could have, and in flows the mony. Instead we have a 2-terminal, 2- gate "airport" for a 3 - million people city. Even that is empy most of the time. Oh well Kuchma is a smart guy!!!! (That was sarcasm by the way, he's one of the dumbes people to walk on this planet. all the does is use propoganda like concerts to brainwash the youth. Yo yea, Im 16, you dont see me brainwashed, do you?)This summer, my friend an I are planning to make a website about all the thigs wrong with the Ukraine... big website... so please visit and maybe you will have some suggestions. : : : : Oh yeah - that'll fix everything ... : : You're certainly entitled to publicize your opinion, but I hope you balance it with things that are right with Ukraine. : : One thing about being 16 is that you'll be amazed as you get older at how complex politics and economics and all those things that make life on this planet interesting (and give you something to complain about) can be, and how difficult it is to change them. : There is surely nothing wrong with the Ukraine having visa restrictions. Why should the country not make sure that undesirbales do not enter the country. : I visited the Ukraine and I did find it difficult with visa because I was not familiar with the system. I admit, it is rather complex and it might be of advantage is some items are changed to : attract more trade and tourism. : However, I found some ideas very good and worth to copy by other countries. : The idea that anyone arriving must take out an emergency health insurance is outstanding! The insurance company is a local one and there would be no problems should something happen. Bravo Ukraine! : If I might may make two suggestions which might help to take some worries out of visiting the Ukraine they would be: : May be it would be of advantage to issue a private visa or business visa without the need for formal invitations from OVIR. This process seems to take a long time and burdens those who have to get the invitation. May be the tourist visa should not require visa - support documents just to attract those tourists who simply arrive and want to "cruise" the country without itinery. : There is nothing wrong with asking the potential visitor for personal details and allow the consulate to check out these details before issuing a visa. : The registration procedure with OVIR is very lengthy. May be that could be made easier. May be the visa application itself should ask the visitor where he/she wants to stay. : In any case, I enjoyed my stay in the Ukraine, I enjoyed the kindness of the Ukrainian people. : The Ukraine is a beautiful country with beautiful people and I totally fell in love with it. : Thanks for allowing me to stay. : Mike Lucke

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