A permanent residence permit in Ukraine is a document that identifies a foreigner or a stateless person and confirms their right to permanent residence in Ukraine. This is precisely how it is defined by the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons”.
Since 2018, the permanent residence permit has the form of an ID card and contains an electronic chip with the owner’s data.
Benefits Provided by the Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine
The permanent residence permit in Ukraine provides numerous advantages for foreigners, often making it the most desirable residency document for them. This permit virtually equates foreigners with Ukrainian citizens without imposing the obligations that citizens have.
Among these benefits are:
- Long validity period – 10 years;
- Visa-free entry into Ukraine;
- Possibility to apply for permanent residence for close relatives (spouse, children under 18, and non-working parents);
- Ability to work officially without needing a work permit;
- Opportunity to establish tax residency in Ukraine, which is particularly beneficial for foreigners from countries with high tax rates;
- Access to free state-funded education in Ukrainian higher education institutions;
- Access to free state healthcare;
- Possibility to obtain a Ukrainian driver’s license;
- Full banking services in Ukrainian banks;
- After 5 years of residence in Ukraine, one can apply for citizenship by naturalization. In some cases, this period may be reduced to 2-3 years.
The Process of Obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine
The primary and most crucial document required for obtaining a permanent residence permit is an immigration permit to Ukraine. Therefore, to get a permanent residence permit, one must first secure an immigration permit based on the grounds stipulated by law (marriage to a Ukrainian citizen for over 2 years, having children who are Ukrainian citizens, Ukrainian ancestry, etc.). The immigration permit is processed within six months and is valid for one year.
After obtaining the immigration permit, a foreigner can apply for a permanent residence permit in Ukraine. Depending on the foreigner’s status, the process varies:
- Foreigners with a temporary residence permit or extended stay in Ukraine can immediately apply for a permanent residence permit if there are at least 15 working days left before their legal stay ends.
… - Foreigners without a temporary residence permit or extended stay must obtain a special D-01 visa from a Ukrainian consulate. This visa is issued based on the immigration permit and allows for the application for a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.
… - Citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan are exempt from obtaining a D-01 visa and can apply directly for a permanent residence permit if at least 15 working days remain before the end of their legal stay.
The processing time for a permanent residence permit in Ukraine is 15 working days. Once the permit is ready, the migration service officer must stamp the foreigner’s passport to indicate that a permanent residence permit has been issued.
The validity of a permanent residence permit in Ukraine is 10 years.
After receiving the permit, the foreigner must register their place of residence in Ukraine within 30 days.
Exchanging the Permanent Residence Permit
In practice, there are often cases when foreigners need to exchange their permanent residence permit. According to the legislation, a permit must be exchanged in the following cases:
- Change in information on the permit;
- Discovery of errors in the information on the permit;
- Expiration of the permit’s validity;
- Loss or theft of the permit;
- Damage rendering the permit unusable;
- When a foreigner or stateless person reaches 25 or 45 years of age (if they have an old-style booklet permit);
- If the permit was previously annulled by the migration service but the decision was overturned by a court.
A permanent residence permit in Ukraine is an essential document that grants foreigners a wide range of rights and opportunities, practically equating them to Ukrainian citizens. The process of obtaining a permit may seem complex due to various bureaucratic procedures. However, following clear steps and seeking professional assistance significantly simplifies the journey.
If you need to obtain or exchange a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, Residence Law Firm will be glad to provide qualified assistance and guide you through the entire process!
