UKR Visa Application Question

[CJ]

I am preparing to submit a visa app to the UKR Embassy and see that they are asking for the applicant's SSN.  Has anyone *not* provided this and if so, what is the result?  I'm thinking of just filling a dummy # in the space provided.  There is no real reason for them having this information.  What are they going to do?  Run a credit check on me??  OTOH, giving them your name, DOB, and SSN is the key to opening up possibilities of identity fraud.  I can imagine someone at home saying "I'll give you $500 for copies of all the visa apps for the past six months" and suddenly there are fraudulent credit accounts being opened all over.  By trade I'm a computer InfoSec engineer and consult on computer fraud and forensic investigations so maybe I'm a little more cautious than most.

Has anyone just left this space blank?  Has anyone given bogus #s and been questioned on it?  In fact there is no legit reason for them to ask for a govt-issued ID # that has nothing to do with travel.  The passport #s I can see them wanting but...

[AJ277]

... in response to UKR Visa Application Question, posted by CJ on Oct 4, 2003

umm I wouldnt worry over it.

I'd worry more over the lifts and balconies on the flats
and crossing the street.

your name DOB and SS is likely on your passport, drivers licence, insurance or health card-
seems a lot of places would be far more likely for identity theft???

but now you have given "them" the idea of where to procure that info!!  
thanks alot!

seriuosly i've had visa's processed for a lot of countries including Ukraine.(for Ukr. at the consulate here in Chicago)

never a problem.
the odds of identity theft shouldnt outweigh turning in the proper info needed for your three visas and the chance of 300 and time wasted??

[AllenB]

... in response to UKR Visa Application Question, posted by CJ on Oct 4, 2003

Hi CJ,

You are absolutely right in your questioning this practice.  I've never been comfortable with this for the very same reason but the Ukraine Embassy, in Chicago, stated to me that they will not issue a visa without this information but assured me that it does not leave the U.S. unless there is a problem with me in Ukraine.

I guess the only way that I can assure you is to let you know that I have not become a statistic and I have traveled there extensively without incident.

[Gman]

... in response to UKR Visa Application Question, posted by CJ on Oct 4, 2003

Well you can leave it blank, and if they reject it you'll know in 2 weeks and you're only out a little bit of money.

[CJ]

... in response to Re: UKR Visa Application Question, posted by Gman on Oct 4, 2003

Uh, I'm applying for three (me, Natasha, and my Mom) so I'd be out $300...  

[jrm]

... in response to Re: UKR Visa Application Question, posted by CJ on Oct 4, 2003

I did,I left something blank. I was out the price of the Priorty mail to and the FedEx return.

[TwoBitBandit]

... in response to I think you would get your $300 back if ..., posted by jrm on Oct 6, 2003

I don't know about the Ukranian consulate... but the Russian consulate will keep your application fee if they refuse to issue a visa.

[jrm]

... in response to Don't bet on it, posted by TwoBitBandit on Oct 6, 2003

n/t

[AllenB]

... in response to Well, we're talking about Ukraine, not R..., posted by jrm on Oct 7, 2003

Hi JRM,

At least on the Chicago UKR Embassy site they do specifically state that if your visa is turned down there is no refund of the fee.

[jrm]

... in response to Re: Well, we're talking about Ukraine, n..., posted by AllenB on Oct 7, 2003

for a business visa but left something out, I don't remember what. They returned my money order and application. In two weeks, I received a 5 year, multi-entry visa for $165.

[davet]

... in response to Don't bet on it, posted by TwoBitBandit on Oct 6, 2003

Not true in my case.  I applied for a Russian visa and was planning on staying with my fiancee -- a home stay.  A week after submission, I got a phone call asking for the paperwork for the home stay (usually issued by the OVIR).  I didn't have it, didn't plan on getting it (too long and too much trouble for my fiancee) and told them.  They were polite and said they couldn't issue the visa.  I got my visa application fee back within 10 days.  I then went through the standard visa service (extra $50-70) to get the visa without any paperwork.

But the Russian embassy and Ukrainian embassy are not the same.

[TwoBitBandit]

... in response to Re: Don't bet on it, posted by davet on Oct 6, 2003

You lucky bastard!  There was some problem with my first visa application and I had to resubmit it again with another $100...  I'm tellin' ya, 'dem Russians take bureaucracy to a new level.