New members of the Ukraine forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018

Hello all,

Newbie here!!

I'm Phil, from Ireland but presently in England and exploring all options to relocate to Ukraine to be with my partner.

My background is in finance, with an emphasis on audit and compliance.  However, I have no formal qualifications in either subject which I realise will hinder my chances of securing employment.

That being said, I am a very flexible and versatile guy, keen to learn new things, meet new people and experience new situations.

Any advice and guidance from forum members will be greatly received.

Hi guys,
I am Roxana. I have visited Kiev one time at the beginning of this year and now I have to return, as my bf is currently working there. He is considering staying one more year there...
In Bucharest, Romania, I work as professional translator for English, French and Romanian, plus I have some knowledge of other languages, as well. Do you think I could get a job in Kiev, although I don't speak their language at all? I tried as English tutor/ teacher but they all want native English speakers and with a working visa.
Any suggestions?

Regards,
Roxana

Hi, I'm thinking of buying property in Ukraine, and I need to speak with a bank representative that speaks English, can anyone put me in touch with one or know of any direct communication to English speaking Ukrainian bank representative.

Hi there

I am martin and as it says i live in Odessa Ukraine. Before you even think of a job the first things you need to do is.
Be Married to a Ukrainian.
Work out ware you will live.
Get the correct Visas.
Do all the paperwork needed for the above.
Learn Ukrainian
and if you wife is a native Russian speaker both Russian and Ukrainian.

when you have all the above, then try for a job, simple yes, please , no, hello etc etc will not get you a job, Ukrainian is not that hard to pick up, its reading Cyrillic, that hurts.
hope this helps

martin

if you live in Kiev, put a privet advert on the posts that permit adverts. otherwise your chances are very slim. sorry.

martin

I am seeking to hire guide in Odessa, Ukraine with excellent English skills with a car and with GPS. I will pay for reasonable expense for time and gas.

This person will take me to various places, the market, shops, beaches, international law office, realtor office, and visit houses for sale in and around Odessa. This person must show me everything in Odessa area as local would live. This person must answer all of my extensive stupid and annoying questions about the area.

I want to purchase house in Ukraine so i need to know everything. I am #1 concerned about my safety and scams. The purpose of visit is to Purchase house. Not rent. My reasons for wanting to expat are complex.

I must visit first and must get everything arranged online BEFORE visiting in order to correctly decide if I want to live in Odessa.

I need guide i can trust. This person must be objective professional and not offended by my reasons for expat which will be further explained in person.

I am NOT coming to Ukraine for beautiful white women and I detest the men that do this especially some comments I see here from man in Los Angeles who is very proud of himself for marrying poor desperate Ukrainian (one look at his photo proves she was desperate). Such women who would never look twice at him if she had options. It make me sick. Hopefully economic situation will improve in Ukraine so these men will stop coming.

My reason for coming is primarily because I want freedom. Primarily free home ownership. No property taxes. No local mafia showing up at front door. No problems with police or other because I am "America" (Ha, American in name only, not in heart and soul, this i can assure you - this country has gone to the dogs). I make money myself from 1 man business laptop/office. I need 1 employee locally to file,paperwork someone I can trust who does not sell client information to local mafia for a few coins.

Other than this I keep to myself and mind my own business. I have already found the houses i want to see online before coming to Odessa. Now I need good professional guide to assist.

Please advise on how to find. Thank you.

Good morning.
I read with grate interest your post on visiting Odessa.
There are many many things you ask about in your post and in some ways I can understand you thought process. However I must give you a few pointers.
A house in Odessa for a person without a partner will be very hard. A house in Odessa is very very costly if you require a liveable property. You will see many thousands of adverts for property for sale. This I may add is normal. The normal way to live is in an apartment. Odessa property is about 15% more costly than most places. Property in centre is about 30,000 usd for a one room property and goes up to 1,000,000 usd. To own a house that you would feel safe in would be hard to find.
For myself I live just outside Odessa in a city called Chermonosk. I live in an apartment with very good security. Nice area a friendly people. I if you have not realised am English. Been living here for 6 months. So I know all the pot holes and does and do nots. I married a local woman. Not girl as I am retired here.
Hiring somebody to drive you around is
1. Costly
2. Slow
It is far far easier to catch a bus or tram with a guid. From the city centre to the see is about 10 minutes walk. All shops and that are within a very easy walk.
Satnav. Is google maps so that’s easy.
Legal work is also easy.

But for you the main thing woul be.
1. What business will you be setting up. If any
2. How long will your visit last for.
3. Where will you stay. I say this as a hotel is very expensive. You would be better off renting an apartment. Pay in usd.
Don’t forget you can only stay here for 90 days. Then you must say away for 90 days. If you overstay for any reason you will not be able to apply for residency in the future for up to 3 years. 
I hope this helps a little and feel free to mail me if you need to ask anything. Or need help or advice

Regards

Martin

Further to my last post. The mafia as you put it will not be interested in you. That’s if there are any so called mafia here. Most people are honest friendly and really try to give you good service but like everyware. If you don’t take measures you will get ripped off. It’s not the country is human nature. I have been too the USA and been ripped off. Lived in London been ripped off been to many country’s and found there’s always somebody who will try and rip you off.

Martin

I also read this post with great interest. I am (still) in the process of completing my emigration to Ukraine. Like Martin in Odessa, I am also from England. I live not too far away in Nikolaev (about 2 hours, by car).

Martin makes some great points, but there are a couple of things that I would like to add. The Ukrainian economy is open to anyone who possesses skills of interest and who are looking to make a contribution. My final situation will be as follows:

- Own property in Ukraine
- Director of IT Company in Ukraine
- Permit to Work in Ukraine
- Married to Ukrainian Citizen

This will give me eligability for a Type D Long Term visa, based on investment, employment and marriage. I can demonstrate that I have a genuine reason to live in Ukraine. So far, it has taken me 6 months and I estimate that it will take another 6 months before everything is completed; including our wedding. It is not quick and it is much more difficult to start a company in Ukraine, than it is in England.

There are people who are willing to help and provide services to navigate the legal side to Ukraine, but this costs money. Some will say, it doesn't come cheap. I have paid around $3000 so far in order to get to where I am. Since I started, I heard that it could have been cheaper; so some people will say I have been scammed because of being a foreigner. No; I just didn't shop around as much as I should have. I have made the same mistake before in England.

On the subject of scams, mafia etc; I'd say this. Corruption exists in all countries that I have visited. I work in many different countries and I have been scammed to one degree or another in all of them. Most scams I have experienced are in England. Internet places like eBay are full of scammers. It is a sad part of life nowadays.

My parting advice is this; come to Ukraine and travel like a local. Use the bus and train; it's an amazing experience. Find a tour guide to help you; there are lots of guides who speak English. One example; Taya in Kiev - her website here. Learn about the history, culture and people. Just like the Americans, foreigners only see what is portrayed in the media. You'll find that the people are completely different.

Hello,
I am Ieva, new member here.
I am looking for friends in Kiev.
Well I born in Lithuania, but now started to live in Ukraine. So I really want to meet new people and reliaze myself in this community.

Ieva

Hello Ronn here and I am traveling to Kharkiv and plan and explore relocation opportunities here..
Well I am From Dubai United Arab Emirates and I am a Business Entrepreneur having expertise in the Electronics field..
I was looking for Advise for a Start up in Kharkiv and willing to join hands too..
I am looking forward to hear from someone really soon as I am travelling again this month to kharkiv.
Thanks

Hi Ronn
Like all businesses you need to do it correctly, you need to get your tax code, find premises, hire local people, (unless you are a one man band)register your business in both central and local government.
This will take time, but once its done you will be ready to make your first million. But try and take a short cuts and you will very soon come unstuck. This area is not very cosmopolitan so you may get a few problems. The best areas to set up are Odessa, Chernomoska, They are both sea ports and very popular destinations with a very large foot fall.

good luck

martin

Thanks a a Ton Martin.
For your insight .. I shall be in touch ..
I guess would need more suggestions and help from you ..
Thanks once again

hi Ronn

anytime no problem

martin

Hi Martin..
Thanks once again.

Hi! I'm going to move to Kiev and work as a teacher. Wish me luck!
Also will be glad to meet you there some day.

Hello.
I am in the process of trying to move to Ukraine from Canada. My hope is to start a business there once I get residency. Any and all help is most definitely appreciated. Where to live, best way to live, how to start a business and what business is best to start...anything helps so please advise!

Hi Spacecadet,

I am in the process of moving from the UK to Ukraine. I am a bit further along with the process and I have a Ukrainian company, Ukrainian Tax Code and now my Work Permit. The next thing for me is my visa and then temporary residency permit. I own a property in Ukraine too.

I found this way to be the best method to obtain a visa and residency. But, you’ll need someone in Ukraine to help you, because non residents cannot own/direct a company. My fiancé has taken the role of director and I am an employee until I get my residency. Then, I can become a director too.

There is a lot of red tape to go through and I’d recommend that you use the services of a company who exist to setup companies for foreigners. I used a company called FEOD GROUP, because they have offices in England and Ukraine. I believe they have offices in the USA but I’m not sure about Canada. Unless you know someone already in Ukraine who can help with this...

If there is anything that I can help with, please let me know. Where are you planning to live in Ukraine?

Nice, what kinda business your company does in Ukraine

Hello there,
How are you..we are into Service industry, Primarily engaged in Delivery of goods. We are a Dubai based company and our Core Business is Electronics, We are thinking about expansion, But looking for the Right people and right time.
What are your plans for Ukraine.
Hope to hear.
Thanks
Ronn

I was born in Russia and raised in Ukraine, so fluent in both Russian and Ukrainian.. Have been living in Canada for the last almost twenty years.. last three years on the West Coast, in Vancouver BC. I have been thinking of moving back to Ukraine, or at least of taking a trip to test waters, so i might be of some help for you.. Plus i have relatives in the Odessa area (and in some other parts of Ukraine), which might come handy. Let me know, if you want to chat.

What part of Canada do you currently live in?

Hello Phil
Nice too see you here. A little advice. Don’t worry about a job. Until you can speak and read Ukrainian and or Russian. As without this you stand more chance of being picked for the next US president.
Depending on where you intend to live will greatly differ for your chance of a job.
If Odessa chances are prity good. Kiev so so. Lviv slim other areas slim. Unless your Ukrainian is spot on. Then after residency you stand a chance. I as the name implies live in Odessa. Feel free to ask any questions.

Martin

Hello, I’m Bob from Texas. I’m considering moving to the Kiev area to be with my girlfriend. I am a retired air traffic controller and don’t need to work. I am going through an immigration attorney for what I feel is a reasonable price. I would like to meet up with any expat musicians to jam and have some fun. I am learning Russian for now, Ukrainian to follow. Just wanted to say hello.

well come bob. I am Martin and live in Chernomoska next to Odessa. A totally different way of life to Kiev. Good Luck/

martin

Thanks Martin!

hello there.. im new in this formum..
anyway.. ill be moving to kharkiv in a month or two.. and i have no intentions of staying in the college dorms..

so im looking for someone to show me around and help me find a cheap apartments.. and i also have no problems with staying with a roommate..

id really appreciate the help i get.. please contact me for further information and contact details..

Hi Graham, let be in touch through ***. Are you moving soon? You may ship your car through Odessa port

Hi Martin could you tell me if extending a visa on arrival is possible. Im not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but many sites lack clarity on this .I would really appreciate your answer.thank you

Hi Rahulcool, I may look answer on your on Ukrainian web-sites. Could you tell me exactly what you want to know?

I'm from India could you help me understand if it would be possible to extend our stay after arriving using visa on arrival.

Well, as I understand, it is possible, but only for some reasons, such as illness, pregnancy, receiving inheritance or receiving a citizenship etc.
It is regulated by this order: https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=50500

I'm looking to set up a business there but initially just want to explore and use the visa on arrival setting up a firm or applying for residence should be valid reasons to extend if I'm not wrong . please suggest

I don't think it is possible to extend a short-term visa on a business reason. It is better to receive long-term visa.
I have edited my previous post and put a link on the Government Order which regulates visa extension. It is on English. You may study it.

hi there

sorry for late reply. you are only able to extend a visa, if your applying for residency, or if you are having medical treatment or are a student studying and your exams have been delayed / you must be very careful if you do not carry a TR Card, as if you overstay, you will get a fine and a ban. a few months ago you probably could get away with it but know your on a computer, and the rules are being enforced

regards

martin

ok Graham

this is the number in the Ukraine to contact for your stuff to ship here, there all very good guys. Get your wife to give them details of what is required.
its Vladimir ***

the UK phone number is*** Stepan they may speak a little English. i get my stuff picked up from Northampton, Corby, Peterborough area. hope this helps

martin

Hello everyone!

I am newbie

I really like to be a part of this forum. By profession i am web developer

New member.  Retired last year and still living in U.S.  My wife is from Krivoy Rig, Ukraine.  We are thinking about living in Ukraine in next 2 - 3 years.  Probably commuting distance to Kiev because it will help my step son (Ukraine) to get a job and work in Kiev or near Kiev.  He currently lives in Krivoy Rig, but the job market is really bad in that city.  We are thinking job market for him will be better in Kiev.  Looked some apartments in and near Kiev, but the quality, size don't meet our expectation and the price is high.  Much higher than I expected.   Thinking about buying a small land, or lot, to build a house to live comfortably.  We found a company that sells SIP (structured installation panel) house in Kiev.  Quick install and good insulated house.  I think the quality of house will be much better than buying an old house and fix it up.  We just need to find a suitable land to build.  Much logistics to think about; finding a suitable lot, legal paper work, bringing in money etc...

hi Greg

Just a quick one, ever thought of Odessa region. I say this as i have retired here, although I and yourself are not permitted to buy land our wives are. Land property in the Odessa region is half the cost of Kyiv. and theirs loads for sale here, theirs loads of apartments and houses for sale, and good job prospects. from no skill to skilled, average wages in this area for semi skilled is 18,000 grivna a month. just a though/ happy hunting

Martin
Chernomorsk Odessa