In 2024, the issue of changing the country of residence is relevant for many Ukrainian citizens, but many people still do not fully understand the entire process from a legal point of view. Simply moving to another country and obtaining residence documents there may not be sufficient for performing certain legally significant actions. Therefore, today we will consider the procedure for departure for permanent residence from Ukraine and explain why this is necessary.
Departure for Permanent Residence or Staying for Permanent Residence?
Ukrainian legislation provides two ways to formalize permanent residence abroad:
- Departure for permanent residence abroad is regulated by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 816 of 16.08.2016. Ukrainian citizens who are in Ukraine can use this route by contacting the State Migration Service department at their place of registration.
- Staying for permanent residence abroad is regulated by the Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. 573 of 22.12.2017. This route can be used by Ukrainian citizens who left temporarily but then decided to stay for permanent residence. In this case, documents are submitted to the Ukrainian embassy or consulate at the place of residence.
Procedure for Departure for Permanent Residence Abroad
The first step is for the citizen to contact the migration service department at their place of registration with the following package of documents in originals and copies: application, three photos sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm, Ukrainian citizen’s passport, certificate of residence registration.
The application processing time is 3 months. After this, the citizen receives a decision on the issuance of documents for departure abroad for permanent residence, which is valid for 6 months.
Within 6 months from the date of the decision, the following steps must be taken:
- Deregister the place of residence in Ukraine. Since May 2024, men of conscription age are not required to be removed from military registration when leaving for permanent residence abroad.
- Obtain a certificate from the state tax service body on the payment of personal income tax and the absence of tax obligations.
- Provide the territorial migration service body with the Ukrainian citizen’s passport and the Ukrainian citizen’s passport for travel abroad to have a stamp affixed about the formalization of departure abroad for permanent residence. Note that the internal Ukrainian passport is not withdrawn upon departure for permanent residence, as it used to be.
After completing all these steps, the citizen can depart for permanent residence.
Procedure for Staying for Permanent Residence Abroad
A Ukrainian citizen who is abroad must contact the Ukrainian embassy or consulate at the place of residence with the following package of documents:
- Valid Ukrainian passport for travel abroad.
- Application.
- Color photo sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
- Copy of the Ukrainian citizen’s passport (if available).
- Copy of the identification code (if available).
- Certificate of registration as a Ukrainian citizen – for persons who were granted Ukrainian citizenship abroad starting from March 1, 2001.
- Document confirming the payment of the consular fee.
The application processing time depends on how quickly the embassy/consulate receives a response from the SBU and SMS. This usually takes up to 2 months.
After receiving the decision, the Ukrainian citizen will have 6 months to deregister their place of residence in Ukraine and provide a confirmation document to the embassy/consulate. After that, a stamp of permanent residence will be affixed in the passport.
Deregistration can be done either by personally arriving in Ukraine or by proxy.
Advantages of Formalizing Departure for Permanent Residence from Ukraine
- Having permanent residence abroad is a mandatory condition for renouncing Ukrainian citizenship.
- Possibility to dissolve a marriage concluded in Ukraine or at the embassy/consulate.
- Possibility to change the name.
- Access to the renewal of a foreign passport after changing the surname without visiting Ukraine.
- Possibility to make changes, additions, corrections, renewal of civil status records made in Ukraine or at the embassy/consulate.
Consular Registration
Ukrainian citizens who have formalized their departure/staying for permanent residence abroad can register for permanent consular registration at their place of residence. To do this, you need to contact the Ukrainian embassy or consulate with the following documents: application, one photo 10 x 15 cm, Ukrainian passport for travel abroad with a permanent residence mark, internal passport or birth certificate, documents for residence in a foreign country, certificate of residence in a foreign country.
The processing time for documents is up to 10 working days. After registration, a corresponding stamp is affixed in the passport.
The validity period of consular registration is unlimited, but every 10 years, the citizen must contact the embassy/consulate to update their data. If the person does not fulfill this requirement, they may be deregistered.
Advantages of Being on Consular Registration
- Being on consular registration allows the consulate to know your whereabouts and provide you with better support and protection in case of emergencies.
- In case of natural disasters, epidemics, political unrest, etc., the consulate will be able to contact you faster and provide necessary assistance, including evacuation to a safe place.
- Being on consular registration allows you to vote in Ukrainian elections.
Conclusions
Formalizing the departure for permanent residence from Ukraine is an important step for citizens who decide to move abroad, as it significantly facilitates interaction with Ukrainian foreign missions in the future. If you need assistance at any stage, contact us, and we will be happy to help!
