Obtaining a Residence Permit in Ukraine

Despite martial law and missile attacks, Ukraine remains a promising country for doing business, investing, studying, and employment. However, long-term stay in the country requires obtaining official status.

Foreign investors, entrepreneurs, highly qualified specialists, and ordinary citizens can apply for a temporary residence permit in Ukraine or obtain a permanent residence permit. These documents grant legal status to stay in Ukraine beyond the permitted period, access to banking services, the ability to work without additional permits, social rights, and even the opportunity to acquire Ukrainian citizenship in the future.

In practice, foreigners often face bureaucratic difficulties: long queues, issues with document translation, rejections due to incorrectly prepared documents, and confusion with legal requirements. Additionally, foreigners are often unsure whether they should apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit and what risks may arise.

However, with the legal support of the migration lawyers at the “Dominion” Law Firm, the process of obtaining a residence permit becomes simple and predictable.

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What is a Residence Permit and Who Needs One?

A residence permit is a document that certifies the identity of a person and confirms the right of a foreign national or stateless person to legally stay and reside in Ukraine beyond the permitted term. The document comes in two types:

• temporary – issued for a specific period (not exceeding one year) with the possibility of unlimited extension.
• permanent – allows living in Ukraine indefinitely and grants almost all rights as citizens of Ukraine (except voting rights).

You need a residence permit in Ukraine if you:

• plan to stay in Ukraine long-term;
• are employed or conducting business in the country;
• are reuniting with family;
• are investing in the Ukrainian economy;
• are a student of a Ukrainian higher education institution.

Foreigners or stateless persons must be at least 16 years old to apply for and receive a residence permit. However, there are exceptions for minors under 16 arriving for education or family reunification.

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How to Obtain a Temporary Residence Permit in Ukraine

Legal Grounds for Issuing a Temporary Residence Permit

Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons” stipulates that a temporary residence permit may be issued to foreigners and stateless persons who:

1. are founders and/or participants, and/or beneficial owners (controllers) of a legal entity registered in accordance with the current legislation;
2. arrived in Ukraine for employment or to conclude a gig contract;
3. arrived to participate in the implementation of international technical assistance projects;
4. arrived for preaching religious doctrines, performing religious rites, or conducting other canonical activities upon invitation of religious organizations;
5. arrived to participate in the activities of branches, divisions, representative offices, or other structural units of foreign non-governmental organizations;
6. arrived to work in representative offices of foreign business entities in Ukraine;
7. arrived to work in branches or representative offices of foreign banks;
8. arrived for cultural, scientific, or educational activities under international treaties of Ukraine or special programs, or for participation in international and regional volunteer programs or in organizations and institutions that involve volunteers;
9. are foreigners (excluding citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus) and stateless persons who arrived during martial law to provide medical or rehabilitation assistance on a volunteer basis as healthcare or rehabilitation professionals;
10. arrived to work as correspondents or representatives of foreign media;
11. arrived for the purpose of studying;
12. arrived to reunite with family members who are citizens of Ukraine;
13. have been released from temporary holding facilities for foreigners and stateless persons unlawfully residing in Ukraine, based on a court decision canceling the detention or deportation order, or due to failure to deport within the established time frame for reasons such as lack of travel documents, transportation, or other reasons beyond their control;
14. provided instructor (firearms, tactical, medical, radio-technical, explosives, etc.) assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and/or entities engaged in national security and defense activities;
15. are recognized as stateless persons.

Required Documents for a Temporary Residence Permit in Ukraine

To obtain a temporary residence permit, a foreigner must provide:

1. a valid foreign passport or stateless person’s identity document with a type D visa;
2. identification document of the legal representative and a document confirming their legal authority;
3. translation into Ukrainian of the personal data page of the foreign passport or identity document;
4. a valid health insurance policy for the entire duration of the permit and a copy thereof;
5. proof of payment of the administrative fee (state duty – UAH 34, service fee – UAH 452, card cost – UAH 594).

It is important to note that additional documents are required depending on the purpose of stay (e.g., work permit, employer’s obligation to notify the SMS or Diia.City resident’s notification, registration card of the international technical assistance project, religious organization petition, accreditation certificate of a branch or representative office, foreign media letter or Ministry of Reintegration request, securities account statement, and others).

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How to Obtain a Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine

Grounds for Obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit

Permanent residence permits are issued based on immigration permits and arrival in Ukraine for permanent residence.

Required Documents for a Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine

To obtain a permanent residence permit, a foreigner must provide:

1. a valid foreign passport or stateless person’s identity document with a type D visa;
2. identification document of the legal representative and a document confirming their legal authority;
3. translation into Ukrainian of the personal data page of the foreign passport or identity document;
4. proof of payment of the administrative fee (state duty – UAH 85, service fee – UAH 496, card cost – UAH 594);
5. a copy of the decision granting the immigration permit;
6. document confirming registration in the State Register of Individuals – Taxpayers with assigned tax number (RNOKPP).

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Where to Submit Documents to Obtain a Residence Permit

Regardless of whether you are applying for a temporary or permanent permit, all properly prepared documents must be submitted in person by the foreigner or stateless person to the territorial office of the SMS, the Administrative Services Center (CNAP), or the state enterprise “Document” at their place of residence in Ukraine.

The residence permit is issued within 15 business days from the date of application submission.

Since foreigners must appear in person before state migration authorities, additional difficulties may arise, including language barriers and legal terminology, document errors and issues with Ukrainian spelling, misunderstanding of timelines and procedures, and the risks of fraud or corruption.

Without the assistance of the migration lawyers at the “Dominion” Law Firm, the process of obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine can become complex and stressful. Legal support helps avoid mistakes, significantly reduces the risk of rejection, and facilitates communication with state institutions.

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Grounds for Refusal to Issue a Residence Permit (Temporary or Permanent)

A residence permit may be denied on the following grounds, for example: the foreigner or stateless person already holds a valid temporary or permanent permit, a military ID confirming contract service in the Armed Forces, State Special Transport Service, or National Guard, refugee status or subsidiary protection valid on the day of application; the individual is in Ukraine in violation of the established period of stay or is subject to an unenforced decision on forced return, expulsion, or entry ban; the data in the registries or databases do not confirm the information provided by the applicant; it is determined that the person is a Ukrainian citizen; the applicant submitted incomplete or untimely documentation or failed to provide necessary information; or in other cases stipulated by law.