US Visa for Ukrainians in the UAE: 2026 Options

Ukraine is not on the Presidential Proclamation 10998 list. A Ukrainian living in the UAE can apply at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General Dubai as a UAE resident, and a Ukrainian passport can carry a multiple-entry B1/B2 visa of up to 120 months, with no reciprocity fee.

Last checked 24 September 2026.

Where a Ukrainian in the UAE can apply now

The US Embassy in Kyiv and the US Embassy in the UAE both tell nonimmigrant applicants to book in their country of residence or nationality. The Kyiv embassy’s nonimmigrant visa page says it processes H-2B and C1/D visas and has “a limited number of B1/B2 … appointment slots for scheduling humanitarian workers or applicants with urgent medical, humanitarian, or business travel”, requested only through its visa navigator. It says it “remains closed for all other non-immigrant visa services at this time”.

Many Ukrainians have moved to the UAE since 2022, and some also hold temporary protection or residence in an EU country. If you are genuinely resident in an EU country with routine US visa processing, that country is a residence option under the rule. Choose the place where your life is best documented and be ready to explain the other.

Presidential Proclamation 10998: is Ukraine on the list?

No. Proclamation 10998, published in the Federal Register on 19 December 2025 (90 FR 59717) and in force since 1 January 2026, suspends or limits visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. We checked the proclamation text and the State Department’s implementation notice on 24 September 2026, and Ukraine is not named. Ukrainian applicants are assessed under the normal rules.

Visa length and official fees

The application fee is $185. These are maximums under reciprocity; the consular officer decides what is actually issued. Ukraine is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option.

Step by step for a Ukrainian UAE resident

1. Book the interview at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General Dubai, or let Visa Doctor secure an appointment for you, targeting about 7 working days.
2. If you hold residence in another country with US visa processing, that embassy is an alternative.
3. If your trip is urgent in the sense Kyiv uses (medical, humanitarian or urgent business), you can also request a Kyiv slot through the Kyiv visa navigator.
4. Complete the DS-160 for the post you will use, with your name in the passport’s Latin spelling and your UAE address and employer.
5. Prepare your file: DS-160, translations, employment and residence evidence.
6. After the interview, a 221(g) letter means more information is needed; a 214(b) refusal means a new application and fee.

Documents for Ukrainians applying from the UAE

Documents in Ukrainian or Russian should be translated into English; see our translation guide. If your passport, UAE visa and bank records use different Latin spellings, align them or explain them; our name mismatch guide shows how.

Common refusal reasons

The State Department’s visa denials page lists the grounds officers apply. For Ukrainians who relocated recently:

• 214(b): the officer is not persuaded the trip is temporary. Expect questions on how long you have been in the UAE, what you do here and where close family lives. A short UAE history is not a bar, but clear evidence of work and a settled home helps.
• 221(g): missing information or administrative processing, with one year to respond before a new application and fee.
• 212(a)(6)(C)(i): misrepresentation. Declare every residence and previous refusal on the DS-160.

Our interview preparation guide and our 214(b) explainer go through the questions.

Students

Ukrainian F-1 students need the I-20, the SEVIS fee receipt and proof of funding, and the State Department asks F, M and J applicants to make their social media accounts public. Kyiv does not currently list student visas among its services, so students living in the UAE can apply in Dubai or Abu Dhabi instead. Student visas for Ukrainians run up to 36 months under reciprocity, so a longer degree may need a renewal. See our US student visa guide.

How Visa Doctor helps

We prepare B1/B2, F1 and F2 applications for Ukrainian citizens resident in the UAE: working out which post suits you, the DS-160, translations, a consistent file and interview preparation. We do not handle work, immigrant or humanitarian parole categories. We monitor appointment releases to secure the earliest date, and the consular officer decides every case.

Call +971 58 509 5268 or message us on WhatsApp. Our office is Office 311, Stadium Point, Dubai Sports City, open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 20:00.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and official references

All sources checked 24 September 2026.

• US Embassy in Ukraine: Nonimmigrant visas available in Kyiv
• US Embassy in Ukraine: Visas
• US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE: Visas
• US Department of State: Applying in your country of residence or nationality, with the designated post list
• Federal Register: Proclamation 10998, 90 FR 59717
• US Department of State: Suspension of visa issuance under Proclamation 10998
• US Department of State: Reciprocity schedule, Ukraine
• US Department of State: Visa denials