Ukraine, with its rich history and deep roots, attracts many foreigners not only with its culture and freedom but also with the opportunity to become a home for the descendants of Ukrainians who, for one reason or another, were forced to leave their homeland. Obtaining PRP in Ukraine by Descent is a pathway that opens numerous opportunities for those dreaming of living in this wonderful country.
Until August 24, 1991, Ukraine was part of the USSR. After gaining independence, people who resided in the territories that became part of Ukraine and transitioned into the territory of independent Ukraine gained the right to Ukrainian citizenship. This right was also extended to their descendants. Later, the Ukrainian law “On Immigration” included Article 4, Paragraph 3, which granted the right to obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine by descent to individuals entitled to acquire Ukrainian citizenship based on territorial origin. Thus, individuals who resided in Ukraine before 1991, as well as their descendants, obtained the right to acquire Ukrainian citizenship or a permanent residence permit in Ukraine based on territorial origin.
Who is Eligible to Obtain PRP in Ukraine by Descent
According to current legislation, you can apply for PRP in Ukraine by Descent if:
- You were born or permanently resided before August 24, 1991, in the territories that became part of Ukraine but left Ukraine before August 24, 1991 (otherwise, you are likely considered a citizen of Ukraine);
- Your father and/or mother were born or permanently resided in the territories that became part of Ukraine in 1991;
- Your grandmother and/or grandfather were born or permanently resided in the territories that became part of Ukraine in 1991;
- Your great-grandmother and/or great-grandfather were born or permanently resided in the territories that became part of Ukraine in 1991;
- Your full or half-brother or sister, son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter were born or permanently resided in the territories that became part of Ukraine in 1991;
If you fall into any of these categories, you have the right to acquire Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin or the right to apply for a permanent residence permit in Ukraine based on territorial origin (PRP in Ukraine by Descent).
Process of Obtaining PRP in Ukraine
The process of document processing consists of 3 or 4 stages, depending on your citizenship.
- The first stage is obtaining immigration permission to Ukraine. This is the main document in the process of obtaining a permanent residence permit, regardless of the basis. Currently, without immigration permission to Ukraine, obtaining PRP is impossible.
- The second stage is obtaining a visa to Ukraine. After obtaining immigration permission, you may need to obtain a D-01 visa, but there are exceptions. Details are provided below.
- The third stage is the issuance of the PRP plastic card. This is the simplest stage, and usually, our clients complete it independently.
- The fourth stage is registration at the place of residence in Ukraine. Every foreigner and citizen of Ukraine is required to have a registration address. This is necessary for communication with the authorities and establishing an individual’s affiliation with a specific locality.
More about the stages of obtaining PRP in Ukraine by Descent
Immigration Permission to Ukraine
As mentioned above, the first stage is obtaining immigration permission to Ukraine, but to apply for permission, you need to gather a list of documents. Usually, the list is standard, but the older your ancestor based on whom you are applying, the more nuances and potential difficulties may arise.
Most often, documents are filed based on the fact that your grandmother or grandfather were born or permanently resided in Ukraine (regardless of whether it was the Ukrainian SSR, UNR, ZUNR, etc.) before 1991. In such cases, searching for documents in Ukrainian archives and the State Registration Service’s database may be necessary. Also, sometimes it is necessary to establish the legal fact of birth or permanent residence through court. This is required in cases where there are doubts about the authenticity of the documents or they are insufficient to confirm Ukrainian descent. We provide comprehensive services for such cases.
Permanent residence of an ancestor in Ukraine is understood as long-term residence in the territories that became part of independent Ukraine. This could include, for example, studying, serving in a military unit located in Ukraine, working in a collective farm, etc.
There are also cases where clients face document-related issues. For example, it may be necessary to confirm whether the person actually left Ukraine before 1991, or to confirm the address of residence abroad in case the address no longer exists (the house has been sold or there is simply no longer an address typical for Ukraine). Such cases are also not uncommon, and without the assistance of an experienced migration lawyer, you may simply be refused acceptance of documents.
Once the entire package of documents is collected, you need to apply to the territorial office of the State Migration Service or to the Ukrainian consulate abroad and submit the documents. The application must be made in person as biometric data is collected. Under the new legislation, document review takes up to 6 months. After the review, you will receive only a copy of the immigration permission, which may also be sent by email and contain a QR code. The original document is kept by the State Migration Service.
Applying for D-01 Visa to Ukraine
D-01 Visa is an immigration visa. As a general rule, obtaining a visa is mandatory, but there are also exceptions established by law. These exceptions apply only to citizens of 6 post-Soviet states: Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Previously, Russia was also on this list, but after the outbreak of war and aggression against Ukraine, citizens of the Russian Federation now need visas to enter Ukraine. Citizens of these six listed states can enter Ukraine without visas, and they do not need D visas to apply for PRP in Ukraine by Descent.
For citizens of all other countries, including EU states, the US, and Canada, D-01 visa is obligatory. The only exception can be if you already reside in Ukraine with a temporary residence permit. In that case, you do not need to additionally leave and apply for a D-01 visa.
D visa is always issued for 90 days and is a multiple-entry visa. This means you can enter and exit Ukraine as many times as you wish.
Important! The visa validity period starts immediately upon issuance, so plan your trip to Ukraine in advance. Another important point is that you can apply for a residence permit no later than 15 working days, which is approximately 21-22 calendar days before the visa expires. Therefore, do not delay and apply for the residence permit as soon as you arrive in Ukraine. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to leave again to apply for a visa. In some cases, this can be quite expensive. For example, the visa fee for citizens of the UK is $2002 USD, whereas for citizens of Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia, such visas are free.
Application for PRP Plastic Card in Ukraine
Applying for a PRP plastic card in Ukraine is the simplest stage. All you need is to have a D-01 visa stamped in your passport, if applicable in your case, a copy of the immigration permit, and a translation of your passport.
Document submission also occurs in person as biometrics will be taken. The document review period is 15 working days. There are no legally provided ways to expedite document issuance, so do not believe if someone promises to issue your PRP or temporary residence permit in less than 3 weeks (15 working days).
As a result, you will receive a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, which allows foreigners or stateless persons to reside in Ukraine indefinitely. The status of permanent residence in Ukraine is issued for life, and the biometric card itself is issued for 10 years. Every 10 years, the card needs to be exchanged. However, the entire application process does not need to be repeated.
Registration of Residence in Ukraine
According to the law, all citizens of Ukraine, foreigners, and stateless persons residing in Ukraine are required to be registered at a certain address. This can be done both in your own property and in rented accommodation. To do this, you need to contact the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Office at your place of residence with a residence permit, a passport translation, and original documents for the apartment. Registration takes 1-2 days. As a result, you will receive an extract from the register of the territorial community, which will certify your address of residence.
Registration must be done within 30 days from the date of issuance of the plastic card (the date indicated on the card). If you pick up the card later than 30 days, you will need to request documentary confirmation from the State Migration Service that you picked up the card later and there is no overdue. If you fail to do this, you may be required to pay an administrative fine.
Conclusions
Ukraine is welcoming to ethnic descendants from historical Ukrainian territories and provides the opportunity for all interested foreigners to obtain PRP in Ukraine by Descent. This process requires thorough preparation and has many nuances, so for a guaranteed result, it is necessary to seek assistance from experienced migration lawyers. By obtaining PRP in Ukraine by Descent, you will receive an indefinite right to reside in Ukraine and certain benefits enjoyed by Ukrainian citizens, such as the right to work without the need for a work permit or the right to education at the state’s expense. In our future articles, we will delve deeper into this topic.
If you wish to obtain PRP in Ukraine by Descent or have any questions regarding migration to Ukraine, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to assist you!
