Visa procedures to be simplified for foreign priests in Ukraine

On September 22, the Supreme Council passed a new version of the Law of Ukraine “On legal status of foreigners and persons without citizenship” (Bill 8570), reported the Institute for Religious Freedom.

The document contains a number of new provisions in the area of regulation of religious activity of foreigners on the territory of Ukraine. The new version of the law will come into effect two months after its publication if it is signed by the president.

The most important changes as far as religious freedom is concerned are the changes as to simplification of visa procedures for foreign religious ministers. Therefore, the parliament took into account the remarks of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations in this regard.

According to Part 6 of Article 4 of the law, foreigners and persons without citizenship will be granted a right to stay in Ukraine “to preach religious doctrines, perform religious rites or carry out other canonical activity on invitations of religious organizations.”

Let us remind that before passing these changes, the government’s Regulation 567 of June 1, 2011, envisaged for foreign priests only the possibility to be employed by religious organizations. Therefore, the new formulation of the purpose of the visit will guarantee the rights of foreign religious ministers stipulated in Article 24 of the Law of Ukraine on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations.

According to Paragraph 6 of Article 5 of the law, a certificate of temporary residence can be issued to foreign ministers on the following bases:

Application of the foreigner (or a person without citizenship);

Valid medical insurance;

Petition of the inviting religious organization;

Approval of the state body which registered the religious organization.

According to the new wording, the law allows religious organizations to obtain approval at the place of registration of their status (at the level of the regions, the Crimean Autonomous Republic, cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol) and not to approach the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine for that according to the requirements of the mentioned government’s resolution.

According to Article 15 of the passed law, foreigners and persons without citizenship staying in Ukraine in connection with their participation in the activity of religious organizations enter and leave Ukraine with the passport and certificate of temporary residence. If there is no such certificate, they have to have appropriate visas, unless they are representatives of countries where no visa is required.