From now on, visitors to Ukraine will have to provide fingerprints in order to get an entry permit. The new legislation was approved on 23 March 2021.

Fingerprints for Ukrainian visas

In 6 months foreigners would be able to enter Ukraine only after submitting their fingerprints for a visa, KP.ua reported.

The new legislation was introduced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The requirement to submit biometrical data applies to citizens of all foreign countries and people with no citizenship.

Fingerprints have been used in many countries as a prerequisite to getting a passport for decades. For instance, in South Africa it was a requirement more than 20 years ago in order to get a photo ID locally.

United States started asking for a fingerprint identification of visa applicants, known as biometrics, in 2002 following tightening of the border security. Only children under 14 years of age and people aged 79+ don’t need to submit their biometrical data in order to obtain a visa to the United States, along with some special visas for diplomats and government officials.

Using biometrics allows to reduce security risks and use of counterfeit visas.

Applicants who refuse to be fingerprinted may be denied visas on the basis that their application is incomplete.

Ukrainian citizens are able to enter most countries of the European Union visa-free, which is also conditional on the applicant having a biometric passport.

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