Work permit in Ukraine

A work permit in Ukraine is an official document issued by the state to an employer for the purpose of employing foreign workers. The applicant is the employer, and the permit allows the foreign worker to work only for the employer’s company. A new work permit needs to be obtained for working in another company or in a different position within the same company, except for exceptions provided by law.

The employment of foreigners in Ukraine is regulated by Section VII of the Law of Ukraine “On Employment of the Population.”

 

What are the benefits of obtaining a work permit in Ukraine?

Since many foreigners and their potential employers often do not understand the purpose of obtaining a work permit, we present several advantages that make it essential.

Benefits of obtaining a work permit:

• By obtaining a permit, the employer complies with the law, which helps avoid a fine of 170,000 UAH.
• The foreigner receives guarantees provided by labor legislation (official salary, sick leave, vacation, regulated working hours, etc.).
• The foreigner has the right to apply for a temporary residence permit based on employment, which allows them to legally reside in Ukraine for 1 to 2 years.
• A foreigner who legally works and resides in Ukraine can apply for a residence permit for their spouse, elderly parents, or disabled parents, as well as bring their children to Ukraine.
• After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Ukraine, a foreigner has the right to apply for an immigration permit and, subsequently, for permanent residence in Ukraine.

 

Who needs a work permit in Ukraine?

The law stipulates that a work permit in Ukraine is required for the employment of the following categories of individuals:

• Foreign hired workers
• Dispatched foreign workers
• Intra-corporate transferees
• Foreigners and stateless persons for whom a decision has been made to issue documents to resolve the issue of refugee status or the status of a person in need of additional protection; foreigners and stateless persons challenging the decision to refuse to issue documents to resolve the issue of refugee status or the status of a person in need of additional protection;
• Persons who have applied for recognition as stateless persons, and persons challenging the decision to refuse to recognize them as stateless persons;
• Foreigners and stateless persons who have come to Ukraine for education in higher education institutions and intend, during and after their studies, to work in Ukraine, provided they are employed no later than 30 calendar days before the end of their studies

 

Who does not need a work permit in Ukraine?

Exceptions to obtaining a work permit apply to:

• Foreigners and stateless persons permanently residing in Ukraine (i.e., having a permanent residence permit in Ukraine);
• Foreigners and stateless persons who have acquired refugee status in accordance with Ukrainian legislation or received permission for immigration to Ukraine;
• Foreigners and stateless persons recognized as persons in need of additional protection or granted temporary protection in Ukraine;
• Representatives of foreign maritime (river) fleets and airlines serving such companies on the territory of Ukraine;
• Employees of foreign media accredited to work in Ukraine;
• Athletes who have gained professional status, artists, and art workers to work in Ukraine in their field;
• Emergency rescue workers for urgent work;
• Employees of foreign representations registered in Ukraine in the manner prescribed by law;
• Clergymen who are foreigners and temporarily stay in Ukraine at the invitation of religious organizations to carry out canonical activities only in organizations officially approved by the authority that registered the statute (regulations) of the respective religious organization;
• Foreigners and stateless persons who have come to Ukraine to participate in the implementation of international technical assistance projects;
• Foreigners and stateless persons who have come to Ukraine to engage in teaching and/or scientific activities in institutions of higher and postgraduate education at their invitation.

 

Validity periods of the work permit

The legislation provides for the following validity periods of the permit:

1. For hired workers or gig specialists – not more than 2 years;
2. For dispatched foreign workers – not more than 3 years;
3. For intra-corporate transferees – not more than 3 years;
4. For persons applying for additional protection in Ukraine – for the term of validity of the certificate of application for protection but not more than 1 year.
5. For students of Ukrainian higher education institutions – not more than 1 year.

If there are valid reasons, the work permit can be extended an unlimited number of times.

 

Fee for obtaining a work permit

The following fees must be paid to the state budget for obtaining a work permit (for 2025):

• Up to 6 months inclusive: 3 subsistence minimums, which amounts to 9,084.00 UAH;
• From 6 months to 1 year inclusive: 5 subsistence minimums, which amounts to 15,140.00 UAH;
• From 1 year to 2 years inclusive: 8 subsistence minimums, which amounts to 24,224.00 UAH;
• From 2 years to 3 years inclusive: 10 subsistence minimums, which amounts to 30,280.00 UAH.