Obtaining a temporary residence permit by marriage in Ukraine is an important step for those who have decided to tie their life to a citizen of this country. Ukraine, with its rich cultural heritage, hospitable population, and strategic location in the heart of Europe, offers many opportunities for foreigners who want to become part of Ukrainian society. One of the most accessible and popular ways to legalize your stay in Ukraine is to marry a citizen of Ukraine.
Warning: We do not provide services for organizing fictitious marriages and strongly recommend you avoid such offers. It is illegal and can lead to liability up to criminal responsibility.
Who Can Obtain a Temporary Residence Permit by Marriage in Ukraine?
The documentation process is regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons” and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 322 dated April 25, 2018. According to the law, a residence permit by marriage can be obtained by couples who are in an officially registered marriage. This applies to situations where one spouse is a citizen of Ukraine and situations where both spouses are foreigners, but one already has a residence permit. Cohabitation is not a basis for document processing in Ukraine.
- One spouse is a citizen of Ukraine, and the other is a foreigner;
- Both spouses are foreigners, but one already has a residence permit on another basis (e.g., work, participation in an international technical assistance project, volunteering, religious activities, etc.).
Requirements for Obtaining a Residence Permit by Marriage in Ukraine
To obtain a temporary residence permit by marriage, a number of requirements established by law must be met, and the necessary documents must be provided.
- A valid international passport. If the applicant holds citizenship of multiple countries, all passports must be presented and notarized translations provided;
- Original marriage certificate. Legalization and translation of the document will be required if the marriage was registered in another country;
- Medical insurance for the entire period of the residence permit (1 year);
- Ukrainian tax number (if already issued);
- Rental agreement or documents proving ownership of housing in Ukraine;
- Additional documents may be submitted to confirm the validity of the basis for the residence permit.
Notably, a police clearance certificate and proof of financial support are not required, as is often necessary in European countries; however, this does not mean that your documents will not be subject to verification by the controlling authorities of Ukraine.
The Process of Obtaining a Residence Permit by Marriage
The process of obtaining a residence permit by marriage in Ukraine can be divided into 3-5 stages depending on the situation.
- Marriage registration. If you are in Ukraine, are in a romantic relationship with your partner, and have decided to get married, we can help expedite the marriage registration process to just 1-2 days through the official pilot project “Marriage in One Day.” In cases where a foreigner’s legal stay in Ukraine is about to expire, expedited marriage registration is the only solution.
- Document preparation. This stage includes gathering all necessary documents for your specific case, their translation, and notarization. Sometimes, documents may vary, so you may need the assistance of a professional immigration lawyer.
- Obtaining a D-14 or D-15 visa. As a general rule, obtaining a D visa is necessary and an integral part of the residence permit application process. Exceptions are made only for citizens of Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, or Belarus. The visa is always issued at the Ukrainian consulate abroad and usually takes up to 2 weeks. We can also accompany you in this process and help obtain the visa in 1-2 days.
- Submitting documents for a residence permit. To submit documents, the applicant must personally visit the Migration Service of Ukraine. The host party must also be present and provide their documents. The decision will be made within 15 working days during which the couple will be invited for an interview to ensure that the marriage is not fictitious.
- Registration of residence. After obtaining a residence permit, the place of residence must be registered within 30 days from the issuance of the residence permit card.
Advantages of Obtaining a Residence Permit by Marriage
Obtaining a residence permit by marriage in Ukraine offers many advantages to foreign citizens. Let’s consider them in detail.
- Living in the country for more than 90 days. The main advantage and reason why foreigners apply for a residence permit is the ability to legally reside in Ukraine for more than the 90 days allowed by visa-free regimes or more than the period provided by a visa.
- Unhindered border crossing. Having residence documents in Ukraine makes it much easier for a foreigner to cross the Ukrainian border, and the controlling authorities will have significantly fewer questions.
- Fast track to permanent residence. After 2 years of marriage, you can apply for permanent residence in Ukraine by marriage. Learn more about this in our article.
- Fast track to Ukrainian citizenship. Marriage to a Ukrainian citizen is one of the few grounds for obtaining citizenship, which requires a minimum residence period of only 2 years. In comparison, the standard residence period for naturalization in Ukraine is 5 years.
- Applying for visas. Having a residence permit in Ukraine allows you to apply for visas at embassies of other countries in Ukraine.
- Obtaining a driver’s license. Another advantage of a residence permit is the ability to obtain a driver’s license in Ukraine. In some countries, the requirements are very high, and exams are difficult to pass, so foreigners prefer to get a driver’s license in Ukraine.
Conclusion
In this article, we have tried to thoroughly cover the topic of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Ukraine based on marriage, examined the document processing steps step by step, and highlighted the advantages of obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine.
We recommend that you apply for residence documents promptly and not delay until the last moment. Otherwise, it will be much more difficult to correct the situation.
If you want to apply for a residence permit by marriage in Ukraine, get a consultation, or order other legal services, leave a request on our website or contact us in any convenient way. We are always happy to help!
