Immigration Permit to Ukraine
To begin the process of immigrating to Ukraine and obtaining a permanent residence permit, you must first obtain an immigration permit, which is the basis for the subsequent formalization of resident status.
Ukrainian immigration law distinguishes between two categories of applicants: those who apply within the quota and those who apply outside the quota.
Each year, the State Migration Service of Ukraine sets quotas for immigration applications according to various categories and allocates them across all regions of the country. Applicants who are eligible to immigrate outside the quota may submit their applications throughout the year without the restrictions associated with the available quotas.
Obtaining an immigration permit is the first step toward obtaining a permanent residence permit in Ukraine. Our qualified immigration lawyers are ready to provide you with legal support and assist you in preparing the application for an immigration permit in accordance with your needs and applicant category.
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By obtaining a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, you gain a wide range of benefits that ensure a stable and comfortable life. First of all, you receive the right to long-term residence in the country without restrictions, which gives you confidence and stability in planning your future. In addition, you gain the possibility of visa-free entry into Ukraine, which greatly simplifies your travel and gives you freedom of movement.
One of the important aspects of a permanent residence permit is employment on an equal footing with citizens of Ukraine, without the need to obtain a work permit. This allows you to take up jobs on equal terms with local residents, which opens up broad prospects for professional development and career growth.
In addition, a permanent residence permit in Ukraine opens up the possibility of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. After a certain period of residence and provided you meet the relevant conditions, you will be able to become a citizen of Ukraine, which grants more rights and privileges, including participation in the country’s political life and access to additional social programs and benefits.
It is important to note that a permanent residence permit has a limited validity period — 10 years. However, in accordance with the law, it is subject to exchange and renewal at the ages of 25 and 45, which keeps your details and status in the country up to date.
Obtain your permanent residence permit in Ukraine and take advantage of all these benefits with competent legal support from our experienced migration law attorney.
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Immigration to Ukraine can be carried out both within the immigration quota and outside it, which opens up opportunities to obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.
Immigration to Ukraine within the quota applies to the following categories of applicants:
- Former citizens of Ukraine;
- Full siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of citizens of Ukraine;
- The spouse of an immigrant (a person who already holds a permanent residence permit in Ukraine), if they have been married for more than two years, their children under the age of 18, and their dependent parents;
- Persons who hold a temporary residence permit and have resided continuously on the territory of Ukraine for the last five years (with certain exceptions);
- Figures in science and culture whose immigration is in the interests of Ukraine;
- Investors who have invested more than USD 100,000 in the Ukrainian economy;
- Highly qualified specialists and workers who are in acute demand in the Ukrainian economy, the spouses of such persons, and their children under the age of 18 — in the event of their joint entry and stay on the territory of Ukraine;
- Persons who have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, or the National Guard of Ukraine for three years or more;
- Persons who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, or the National Guard of Ukraine (regardless of the length of military service) and were declared unfit for military service on health grounds by military medical boards as a result of illnesses or wounds (injuries, concussions, or mutilations) sustained in the performance of military duties;
- Persons who have resided on the territory of Ukraine for three years from the date of obtaining the status of a victim of human trafficking.
The following categories of applicants may immigrate to Ukraine outside the quota and are entitled to obtain a permanent residence permit:
- Spouses of citizens of Ukraine, as well as children, parents, guardians, custodians, and persons under the guardianship or custody of a citizen of Ukraine;
- Persons whose Ukrainian citizenship is of state importance;
- Persons entitled to acquire Ukrainian citizenship on the basis of territorial origin;
- Foreign Ukrainians, the spouses of foreign Ukrainians, and their children, upon their joint entry and stay on the territory of Ukraine.
- Stateless persons who have resided on the territory of Ukraine for two years from the date of obtaining a temporary residence permit.
Additional information on the immigration permit to Ukraine
To obtain an immigration permit to Ukraine, you need to gather a certain set of documents, depending on the applicant’s category. Visiting Ukraine is not required, since the procedure can be completed at Ukrainian missions abroad, such as embassies and consulates.
The main documents you need to have:
- An application, drawn up by the officials of the authority after an individual interview with you.
- The original and a copy of an identity document. If you submit the documents in Ukraine, you will also need documents confirming the lawfulness of your stay on the territory of the country.
- Documents confirming your place of residence abroad and in Ukraine. They may require an apostille or legalization depending on the country.
- Information on marital status and a copy of the marriage certificate (if applicable).
- A certificate of no criminal record and of the absence of chronic alcohol- or drug-related conditions (in certain cases).
- Documents specified by the legislation of Ukraine according to the immigrant’s category.
You can clarify whether additional documents are required at a foreign mission, at the territorial unit of the State Migration Service of Ukraine, or by consulting an immigration lawyer who will provide professional support and advice during the process of obtaining an immigration permit to Ukraine.
How long does it take to obtain an immigration permit to Ukraine?
The authorities must review your immigration application within 6 months if you submitted it to the migration service, and 12 months if you submitted it to a diplomatic mission abroad. However, this period does not mean you will have to wait the full 6–12 months. The procedure may take less time, depending on the applicant’s category, their profile, and whether the submitted documents meet the requirements.
It is important to note that you can track the status of your application both electronically and through written requests to the relevant authorities. This will allow you to stay informed about the review process and receive information on the stage of your immigration application to Ukraine.
What to do after the immigration permit is obtained
After the authorities make a positive decision on your application for an immigration permit, you will be notified. Next, you need to obtain a copy of the immigration permit and, depending on your location (in Ukraine or abroad), apply for a permanent residence permit or first apply for a long-term type D-01 visa (immigration).
If you are in Ukraine, you may apply to exchange your temporary residence permit for a permanent one. If you are outside Ukraine, you need to apply for a long-term type D-01 visa (immigration). After your arrival in Ukraine, you will need to apply for a permanent residence permit.
Obtaining a permanent residence permit is the final stage of the immigration process to Ukraine.
Your application for an immigration permit may be refused
In the cases listed below, the competent authority has the right to refuse the issuance of an immigration permit:
- Persons who have been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of more than one year for an act deemed a crime under the laws of Ukraine, if the conviction has not been expunged or lifted in accordance with the law.
- Persons who have committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity as defined by international law, or who are wanted for committing a crime that is deemed a serious crime under the laws of Ukraine, or who have been notified of suspicion of committing a crime whose pre-trial investigation has not been completed.
- Persons suffering from chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, or infectious diseases, the list of which is determined by the central executive authority on health matters.
- Persons who, in their applications for an immigration permit, provided knowingly false information or submitted forged documents, or documents that do not confirm the lawfulness of their stay on the territory of Ukraine as of the day the documents for the immigration permit were submitted, or that do not confirm the existence of grounds for the immigration permit, or documents confirming grounds that have ceased to exist.
- Persons who have married a citizen of Ukraine or an immigrant, where being in that marriage is a ground for granting an immigration permit, if such marriage has been declared invalid by a court decision on the grounds of it being fictitious, or if there are circumstances under which being married to a citizen of Ukraine or an immigrant is not recognized as a ground for granting an immigration permit.
- Persons who have not submitted all the documents provided for by this Law.
- Persons who, during a previous stay in Ukraine, were held criminally or administratively liable for an illegal crossing or attempted illegal crossing of the state border of Ukraine, or who violated the procedure for entering or leaving the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, or who violated the legislation on the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons.
- Persons who are banned from entering the territory of Ukraine (and who have not had the effective entry ban lifted).
- In other cases provided for by the laws of Ukraine.
Circumstances in which marriage to a citizen of Ukraine or an immigrant is not recognized as a ground for granting an immigration permit
Persons married to citizens of Ukraine or immigrants do not have a guaranteed right to obtain an immigration permit in the following circumstances:
- If one of the spouses received material compensation for entering into the marriage.
- If the spouses do not live together and do not share a common household.
- If the spouses had not met or communicated before the marriage.
- If the spouses do not share a common language.
- If one of the spouses was previously married to a citizen of Ukraine or an immigrant, and this was not a ground for obtaining an immigration permit.
- If the spouses have not shared personal details with each other.
- If the person refuses to be present in person when submitting the application for an immigration permit.
- If both spouses refuse to give written consent to undergo an interview and written tests to verify the circumstances.
To verify these circumstances, interviews and surveys are conducted, and requests are sent to the relevant public authorities.
Do not delay — contact a lawyer to receive better assistance and services. Get a consultation.