Ukraine is an attractive destination for immigration for people from all over the world. Citizens of the USA and European countries choose immigration to Ukraine due to the low cost of living and ample opportunities for business and leisure. The cost and availability of medical services in comparison to Europe or the USA are significantly lower, while the quality is comparable. Ukraine appeals to foreigners from Eastern countries due to its proximity to Europe, European mentality, prospects of joining the EU, absence of any oppression based on national or religious characteristics, and, of course, business opportunities.
If you are a foreigner wishing to stay in Ukraine for residence, you will need to obtain residence documents.
Temporary Residence Permit in Ukraine
A temporary residence permit in Ukraine is a biometric document issued by the State Migration Service, certifying the foreigner’s right to reside in Ukraine for the duration specified in the permit. It is the most common way of immigration to Ukraine.
The grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit include:
- Employment or conclusion of a gig contract. In this case, you will need to obtain a work permit. Also, if you are going to set up a company in Ukraine you can get a temporary residence.
- Participation in the implementation of international technical assistance projects;
- Preaching religious beliefs, performing religious rituals, or engaging in other canonical activities;
- Working in representations of foreign companies registered in Ukraine;
- Working in branches or representations of foreign banks registered according to the established procedure;
- Engaging in cultural, scientific, educational activities, or volunteer activities based on the provisions of international treaties of Ukraine or special programs;
- For foreigners (except citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus) and stateless persons who arrived in Ukraine during a state of war to provide medical or rehabilitation assistance on a voluntary basis as medical workers or rehabilitation specialists;
- Correspondents or representatives of foreign media;
- Founders and/or member, and/or beneficial owners (controllers) of a legal entity registered in Ukraine, and the share of ownership of which or of a foreign legal entity, the beneficiaries (controllers) of which are such foreigners or stateless persons, in the statutory capital of a Ukrainian legal entity is not less than 100,000 euros at the official exchange rate established by the National Bank as of the date of foreign investment;
- Studying at Ukrainian higher education institutions;
- Reuniting families with Ukrainian citizens;
- Reuniting families with foreigners or stateless persons who legally reside in Ukraine.
The duration for which the permit is issued depends on the validity period of the grounds and ranges from 1 to 4 years. The temporary residence permit is processed within 15 working days. It is important to consider the foreigner’s stay in Ukraine, as the application for the permit can be submitted no later than 15 working days before the expiration of the legal stay.
Cost: $250
Permanent residence permit in Ukraine
A permanent residence permit in Ukraine is a biometric document issued by the State Migration Service, allowing a foreigner or a stateless person to legally reside in Ukraine for 10 years. It is important to note that the 10-year duration refers to the validity of the document, which needs to be renewed after 10 years. However, the residency status itself is indefinite and cannot be revoked, except in cases stipulated by law. This way of immigration to Ukraine gives the right to live in a country for a lifetime.
To obtain a permanent residence permit, one must first apply for an immigration permit, which is the primary document in this process. Immigration permits are issued either through a quota system or outside the quota. The quota system specifies the categories of foreigners eligible for permits and the limited number of permits available. Outside the quota, there is no limit on the number of immigration permits that can be issued.
Immigration to Ukraine within the quota can be obtained by individuals such as:
- Scientists and cultural figures whose immigration aligns with Ukraine’s interests.
- Highly qualified specialists and workers whose skills are in demand in Ukraine’s economy, along with their spouses and children under 18.
- Individuals making foreign investments in Ukraine of at least 100,000 US dollars in convertible currency.
- Full siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of Ukrainian citizens.
- Former Ukrainian citizens.
- Spouses of immigrants married for over two years, their children under 18, and disabled parents are recognized as family members according to the laws of the foreign state of origin.
- Individuals continuously resided in Ukraine for three years since obtaining the status of a human trafficking victim.
- Individuals who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, State Special Transport Service, and National Guard of Ukraine for three or more years.
- Individuals who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, State Special Transport Service, and National Guard of Ukraine were recognized by medical commissions as unfit for military service due to health conditions resulting from diseases, injuries, or disabilities incurred during military service.
- Individuals with continuous residence in Ukraine based on a temporary residence permit for the last five years.
Immigration to Ukraine outside the quota can be obtained by:
- One spouse if the other spouse, with whom they have been married for more than two years, is a Ukrainian citizen, along with children and parents of Ukrainian citizens.
- Individuals acting as guardians or custodians of Ukrainian citizens or under the guardianship or care of Ukrainian citizens.
- Those entitled to acquire Ukrainian citizenship based on territorial origin (except for those who were previously Ukrainian citizens).
- Individuals whose immigration is in the state interest of Ukraine.
- Ukrainian expatriates, spouses, and children, if they enter and stay in Ukraine together.
- Stateless persons residing in Ukraine based on a temporary residence permit for two years from the date of recognition as stateless.
The State Migration Service of Ukraine processes documents within 6 months. If you have applied for an immigration permit but do not yet have a temporary residence permit, you can extend your stay in Ukraine while your documents are being processed.
The cost of obtaining an immigration permit is $400, with additional expenses for translations, notarization of documents, and official fees.
Citizenship of Ukraine
Citizenship of Ukraine is a legal bond between an individual and Ukraine, manifested in their mutual rights and obligations. Ukrainian citizenship can be acquired through:
- By Birth: Foreigners or stateless persons legally residing in Ukraine at the time of their child’s birth, with a valid temporary or permanent residence permit, have the right to obtain Ukrainian citizenship for their child if the child does not acquire foreign citizenship at birth.
- By Territorial Origin: Foreigners and their minor children can acquire citizenship if at least one parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, full or half-sibling, born or permanently resided before August 24, 1991, on territories that became part of Ukraine in 1991.
- By Naturalization: Individuals can acquire citizenship after five years of legal residence in Ukraine. For marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, two years are sufficient, and for foreign military personnel, refugees, or asylum seekers, the requirement is three years. In addition to the residency requirement, applicants must pass an exam on Ukrainian language and history and obtain immigration permission.
- By Restoration: Relevant for individuals who renounced Ukrainian citizenship and wish to regain it.
- By Adoption: A Ukrainian citizen adopting a foreign child can confer citizenship. Adoption is based on a court decision, irrespective of whether the child resides in Ukraine or abroad.
- By Establishment of Guardianship or Custody: Citizenship can be obtained through the establishment of guardianship or custody over a child, placement of a child in a healthcare or educational institution, child care facilities, family-type children’s home, or foster family.
- By Establishment of Guardianship over an Incompetent Person: Citizenship can be acquired through the establishment of guardianship over a person recognized as legally incompetent by court decision.
- Due to the Citizenship of One or Both Parents of the Child: A child can acquire citizenship if one or both parents are Ukrainian citizens.
- By Recognition of Paternity or Maternity or Establishment of the Fact of Paternity or Maternity: Citizenship can be obtained through the recognition of paternity or maternity or establishment of the fact of paternity or maternity.
- By Other Grounds: As provided by international treaties of Ukraine.
The processing time for immigration to Ukraine based on naturalization is up to one year according to the law, but in practice, it may take significantly longer. For other grounds, the processing time is usually from 3 to 6 months. This way of immigration to Ukraine gives the right to live in the country for a lifetime the same as a permanent residence permit but without the need to prolong documents every 10 years.
The cost of legal services for obtaining citizenship is $400. Additional expenses include translation, notarization of documents, and official fees.
If you are interested in immigration to Ukraine please contact us and we will help you to choose the most appropriate way of immigration for your case.
