The Un-Soviet Visa

The information on securing visas to republics formerly within the now-defunct Soviet Union was not stated correctly in the World Travel Watch column (Jan. 5). I returned from spending a month in the Ukraine and one does not have to get visas through former Soviet consulates. They have no jurisdiction over newly independent countries.

Visas for Ukraine can be secured for $50 (hard currency) at Boryspol Airport in Kiev. This way, the fee goes into Ukraine’s treasury, not Moscow’s. The same goes for travel to Belarus. You get your passport stamped and receive your visa at the Minsk airport.

DOUGLAS WELLES

Santa Monica

Editor’s note: Visas for travelers who arrive in the newly independent republics without stopping in Moscow can be obtained upon arrival, but expect delays of up to 4 to 5 hours and a cost of $50. Tourist visas issued to those same republics from the Russian Federation Consulates in either Washington or San Francisco charge $50 for overnight service; $35 for 5-day service; $25 for 14-day service; $20 for requests more than 14 working days.