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Borys Kosarev: Modernist Kharkiv, 1915-1931 at The Ukrainian Museum thru May 2, 2012
Posted by Andrei on May 08, 2000 at 02:38:19:
In Reply to: Re: invites faudulent thus meaningless posted by hanya on May 05, 2000 at 17:00:56:
As a Ukrainian citizen, I would like to assure you that the visa requirenment does indeed give the door open to visa fraud by travel agents and consulate officials. Hanya, haven't you seen the many ads by travel agencies offering assistance in getting business or private visas? How do you think this is done? Very simply- the travel agents use their connections to obtain the necessary business/private invitations and then sell them to their customers. In no way do they assure the traveler's ahelter or insurance while in Ukraine. The things are somewhat different with the tourist visa, although fraud is frequent there as well.
Certainly, it is a privilege to visit another country. However, it is customary to allow visa-free travel by citizens of friendly states, especially if they are not likely to pose threat to domestic economic/political security. Some people have asserted that Ukraine has to protect itself from the rogue elements in the eastern parts of the former USSR. Well, friends, you are in for a surprise- the citizens from all but Baltic states (surprisingly, most secure) of the former USSR do not need visas to visit Ukraine. Furthermore, they don't even need any visas to settle here permanently- as long as they by some real property or find jobs (which would allow them to get 'propiska'- residential registration). That is, despite its visa requirenment toward the Westerners, Ukraine keeps its border wide open to the people who are actually likely to cause trouble (or, at least, the popular opinion says they are). Ukraine needs to do away with the visa requirenment unilaterally towards Westerners and citizens of more prosperous Third World countries.The same goes for the much-despised and stupid registration system for short-term travellers. This would allow to facilitate tourism, which is essential to bringing $$$ to its weak economy. Furthermore, in the long run it would result in reduction of visa fees/restrictions that the Ukrainian citizens face when they travel. Of course, travel agents like Hanya will lose some revenue. But, hey- view it as a collective action problem- do the right thing, don't defect!
: : To get a visa you just need a travel agent with connections and pay him enough money for false invitations.
: : We all know that is how it is done.
: : This gives no security for the Ukraine and the bribes don't even get to the people of the country who need it.
: : Don't underestimate the value of tourist money to the economy
:
: The invitations from travel agents were hardly fraudulent or bribes. This was and is a (Ukraine) government approved method by which to obtain a visa. The travel agent might charge an administrative fee which exceeds the cost of the visa, but they are providing a service by procesing it for you, and they deserve to get paid for that time and effort.
: By issuing the invitation, the travel agency also takes on some of the responsibility of a tourist's presence in Ukraine. Generally they make sure that the traveller has insurance, and is booked in a hotel (as opposed to sleeping on a park bench, which has been known to happen), and presumably, since the traveller is paying an agent to provide passage, then he/she is likely to be a "desirable" tourist. Basically, it's one way of screening the people who are permitted into the country.
: There's an issue here that's being touched upon, and that's whether or not travel to a country other than yours is a right or a priviledge. If you aren't a citizen of that country, then it is a priviledge, not a right. But countries reserve the right to exclude whomever they wish - ergo, visa and immigration policies.