An Immigration Permit to Ukraine is a decision by the State Migration Service that grants a foreigner the right to immigrate to Ukraine and serves as the basis for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Ukraine. On this page, you will learn about the conditions, process, and benefits of obtaining an immigration permit to Ukraine.
Benefits of Obtaining an Immigration Permit to Ukraine
Compared to many other countries, obtaining an immigration permit in Ukraine is quite advantageous.
These benefits include:
- Unlimited stay in Ukraine: After obtaining the immigration permit and a permanent residence permit, foreigners can freely enter and reside in Ukraine without any visas or additional permits.
- Easy initiation of the process: For most categories of foreigners, there is no requirement for mandatory residence in Ukraine for a certain period. If you have a basis, you can immediately submit documents. It’s not necessary to be in Ukraine during the document review.
- Quick review: Until 2022, the document review period was up to one year; now it has been reduced to six months.
- Lifetime status: After receiving an immigration permit to Ukraine and a permanent residence permit, this status remains with the foreigner for life. There are no requirements for minimum residency to maintain the right to permanent residence in Ukraine.
- Simplified work conditions: Foreigners with permanent resident status in Ukraine do not need to obtain special work permits, which would otherwise need to be renewed every 1-3 years at a cost.
- Permanent residence for family members: Minor children can apply alongside a parent applying for an immigration permit. Other family members can join after the main applicant receives their permit. If the foreigner is a highly qualified specialist, the entire family can obtain the permit at once.
- Social security: Foreigners with permanent residence in Ukraine can enjoy social support on par with Ukrainian citizens.
- First step towards Ukrainian citizenship: For naturalization, an immigration permit to Ukraine is almost always required.
Grounds for Obtaining an Immigration Permit to Ukraine
Ukraine has a fairly broad list of grounds that entitle one to obtain an immigration permit. Previously, some grounds were quota-limited, but this requirement has been abolished and will only apply in cases of mass immigration. According to Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration”, the following categories of foreigners can obtain an immigration permit to Ukraine:
- Scientists and cultural figures whose immigration serves the interests of Ukraine;
- Highly qualified specialists and workers, where there is a significant demand in Ukraine’s economy, along with their spouses and children under 18;
- Individuals who have invested at least $100,000 in foreign convertible currency into Ukraine’s economy;
- Individuals who are full siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren of Ukrainian citizens;
- Former Ukrainian citizens;
- Spouses of immigrants, married for over two years, their children under 18, and their dependent parents who are considered family members under the law of their country of origin;
- Individuals who have resided in Ukraine for three continuous years after being recognized as victims of human trafficking;
- Individuals who have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, State Special Transport Service, or National Guard of Ukraine for three or more years;
- Individuals who served in these services and were declared unfit for military service due to health issues resulting from illnesses or injuries sustained during service;
- Individuals who have lived in Ukraine continuously for the last 5 years;
- Spouses or parents of Ukrainian citizens;
- One spouse if the other is a deceased Ukrainian citizen – a military member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other legally established military formations, during martial law or within six months of its cessation;
- Guardians or trustees of Ukrainian citizens or those under guardianship or trusteeship by Ukrainian citizens;
- Individuals entitled to Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin;
- Persons whose immigration is of state interest to Ukraine;
- Foreign Ukrainians, their spouses, and children if they enter and stay in Ukraine together;
- Stateless persons who resided in Ukraine on a temporary residence permit for two years after being recognized as stateless.
The Process of Obtaining an Immigration Permit to Ukraine
The process of obtaining an immigration permit consists of several stages, depending on the basis for application. The Residence Law Firm team will guide you through each step from start to finish.
1. Determining Grounds and Preparing Documents
During the initial consultation, we thoroughly assess the client’s situation to determine if there are grounds for an immigration permit. After identifying the basis, we compile a list of required documents and begin their preparation. Sometimes, additional steps are needed, like obtaining a qualification confirmation letter from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine for highly qualified specialists or conducting archival searches for Ukrainian ancestry.
2. Submitting Documents for Immigration Permit
Documents can be submitted to the State Migration Service of Ukraine or through a Ukrainian consulate. Due to high workload, consulate staff may not be well-informed or interested in providing immigration services. Therefore, we recommend submission within Ukraine where the process is handled by specialized agencies, and we can provide personal assistance.
3. Review of Documents for Immigration Permit
During document review, foreigners can either stay in Ukraine or travel abroad. If you don’t have a temporary residence permit, you can extend your stay, usually for the duration needed for processing the immigration permit and obtaining a permanent residence permit. Note that extended stay is invalidated upon leaving Ukraine, meaning you’d need to wait for legal stay days under the 90/180 rule or apply for a visa to re-enter.
4. Receiving the Immigration Permit and Further Actions
After the documents are reviewed, the foreigner receives an immigration permit valid for one year. Depending on their status, there are two possible actions:
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- For those without a temporary residence permit, they first need to apply for a D-01 visa at a Ukrainian consulate based on the immigration permit, then return to Ukraine to apply for a permanent residence permit. This visa requirement does not apply to citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.
- Those with a temporary residence permit or extended stay can directly apply for a permanent residence permit, with documents submitted no later than 15 working days before the end of legal stay. The permanent residence permit is issued within 15 working days and is valid for 10 years, requiring renewal every decade.
If you are interested in obtaining an immigration permit to Ukraine, please contact us! We will be happy to provide detailed consultation and guide you through the entire process from A to Z.
