1 What does the “Invitation to Study” actually mean?
Think of it as your golden boarding pass. It’s an official document generated on a secure, water-marked form, stamped by the Ministry of Education & Science of Ukraine (MOES) and issued only after a university has checked your passport and previous-education certificates. Without this slip of paper (or its digital twin, registered in the MOES database) no Ukrainian consulate will even open a student-visa file for you.
2 Is it legally mandatory?
Yes. Under Ukrainian visa rules, a long-stay (D-type) student visa is granted solely “on the basis of an original Invitation to Study from a licensed Ukrainian HEI, duly registered with MOES.”
In practice, consulates put the invitation at the top of the document checklist; applications without it are returned unprocessed.
3 Who actually needs it- and the rare cases that don’t
Applicant type Needs the invitation? Why/why not
Full-degree (Bachelor, Master, MD, PhD) Always Required for D-13 long-term study visa
Foundation / language course > 90 days Always Same visa category
Exchange or Erasmus-style semester (≤ 90 days) Sometimes Some universities issue a short “training” invitation; a C-type short-stay visa or visa-free regime may apply
Citizens of visa-free countries staying ≤ 90 days (tourist, business) Not applicable But they cannot legally begin a degree program without switching to a D-type visa later
4 Where the invitation fits into your timeline
- Choose & apply to a university.
- University requests MOES registration (3-10 working days).
- Invitation issued & couriered to you (DHL/TNT, 3-7 days).
- Book your visa appointment-remember, the invitation is valid for 180 days from its issue date.
- Attend biometrics/visa interview with the original invitation, passport, medical & financial papers.
- Receive D-type visa → book flight → register your temporary residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
5 Documents you’ll submit to get the invitation
- Scanned copy of the data page of your passport
- School/college completion certificate (translated & notarised)
- Signed consent for personal-data processing
- Application fee (varies by university, typically US $30–50)
Optional: proof of English/Ukrainian language
6 Costs & processing times (2025 averages)
- Item Typical range
University invitation fee US $30–50 - MOES state duty US $18
International courier US $40–75
Processing time at university 7–10 days
Consular visa decision 10–15 days (standard) - (Some universities bundle all three fees into one “admission package” to simplify accounting.)
7 The top five mistakes made by applicants and how to avoid them
- Booking a visa slot before the invitation is in hand.
- Using a tourist agent’s “generic” invitation. Only MOES-registered study invitations are accepted.
- Letting the 180-day clock run out. Apply for your visa within the first 90 days to avoid re-issue fees.
- Typos in your name or passport number. Consulates reject mismatches instantly.
- Skipping courier insurance. If the original letter is lost, you must pay for a fresh print and re-registration.
FAQ – Quickfire answers
Question Answer
1, Can I enter Ukraine on a tourist visa and convert it later?
No. You must arrive with a D-type student visa.
2, Is a colour scan or PDF enough?
Consulates require the original embossed letter. Scans help with pre-checks only.
3, How early can I apply for an invitation?
Up to one year before program start, just remember the 180-day validity for visas.
4, What if my course is fully online?
If you never need to stay in Ukraine longer than 90 days, the invitation may be waived but universities still issue it for record-keeping.
Key take-aways
- No invitation = no student-visa file. It is the single most important sheet of paper in your Ukrainian study journey.
- Start the process early. Budget at least a month for invitation issuance and delivery before your visa appointment.
- Verify authenticity. Use the MOES online portal to confirm that your letter number is registered.
Ready to move from research to reality?
The admissions team at Study Ukraine can secure your MOES-registered invitation in as little as ten working days, guide you through consulate paperwork, and even arrange airport pick-up once your visa is stamped.
Click here to begin your 2025 application and turn that invitation into an unforgettable academic adventure!