Those who decide to immigrate to Ukraine can obtain various benefits, some of them related to taxation, while others refer to employment opportunities. Our lawyers in Ukraine are at the service of foreigners from all over the world who want to move here and obtain one of the available types of residence permits. Below, we explain the main relocation options from a legal point of view.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from the EU) |
EU citizens will need a D visa if they need a longer stay or a work permit. |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside the EU) |
The citizens outside the EU will need: – B visa (for stays less than 5 days); – C visa (for stays that do not exceed 90 days); – D visa (short-term residence permits). |
|
Types of visas available |
3 types of visas: – B visa (transit), – C visa (short-term stays), – D visa (long-term stays) |
| Time frame for obtaining a work visa (approx.) |
– Standard procedure – approximately 10 working days; – Emergency procedure – approximately 5 working days; – In particular situations (additional checks) – up to 30 days. |
| Validity of the temporary residence permit | Up to 1 year |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements |
The application must be submitted at least 15 working days before the expiry of the current permit. Our immigration lawyers in Ukraine can help you with this procedure. |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit |
– valid passport/ID; – standard application form; – proof of domicile in Ukraine; – clear criminal record; – medical certificate. |
| Conditions for obtaining permanent residence in Ukraine |
– have a legal ground (eg., investment of at least USD 100,000, marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, family reunification etc.); – obtain an immigration permit issued by Ukrainian authorities; – submit required documents for residency after immigration permit approval. |
| Investor visa availability |
YES |
| Start-up visa scheme availability | Ukraine offers a business visa (type C-01). You can get in touch with our Ukrainian law firm for this matter. |
| Sponsorship requirement |
Not applicable |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship |
Between 12 to 24 months from the date of submission of a complete application. |
| Citizenship/residency by investment scheme availability |
Citizenship by investment NO/ residency by investment YES |
| Taxation of foreign citizens |
The tax regime depends on tax residency status, not citizenship. |
| Tax benefits for expats | In Ukraine, there is no special tax regime dedicated exclusively to expats, but our Ukrainian attorneys can help you identify benefits such as the simplified system for entrepreneurs. |
What are the laws providing for immigration to Ukraine?
Just like in other countries, people who want to immigrate to Ukraine must respect various requirements that are prescribed by different laws. Here, the following apply:
- the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons;
- the Entry and Transit Visas Rules;
- the Procedure for Providing Sufficient Funds by Foreigners and Stateless Persons Entering, Staying in, Transiting through or Leaving Ukraine;
- the Electronic Visa Issuance Rules, which were enabled in 2017.
The following types of visas are available for those seeking to enter Ukraine:
- the B visa, which can be used for transiting the country and for stays that do not surpass 5 days;
- the C visa, which is issued for stays that do not exceed 90 days;
- the D visa, which is the equivalent of short-term residence permits in other European countries.
Required documents for relocation to Ukraine
Immigrating to Ukraine also involves preparing the documents requested by the authorities in order to issue a visa and residence permit in Ukraine. Here is what we are talking about:
- valid passport/ID,
- standard application form,
- proof of domicile in Ukraine,
- clear criminal record,
- medical certificate stating the applicant is not a drug or alcohol addict and does not have infectious illnesses.
These are some of the documents required in order to issue an immigration permit in Ukraine, also known as a residence permit. Local immigration authorities reserve the right to conduct detailed checks and refuse visa and resident permit applications from citizens who are found to be involved in:
- crimes against humanity,
- public threat,
- providing false information,
- criminal offences, etc.
Our Ukrainian lawyers can guide you on the formalities and conditions that must be met in order to relocate to Ukraine. Given the currently quite complex social context, foreign citizens interested in immigration to Ukraine are advised to seek specialized legal help.
Types of residence permits for Ukraine
Foreign citizens interested in moving to Ukraine must apply for one of the two types of residence permits available here. These are the temporary and the permanent residence visa, which, according to their names, can be obtained for short or long-term stays. It is important to note that the temporary residence permit is issued based on the reason of immigration. In certain cases, such as employment, the Ukrainian authorities issue them based on annual quotas.
Another important aspect to consider is that Ukraine is not an EU member state, which means that both EU and non-EU citizens are required to apply for residency if they decide to relocate and apply for permanent residence in Ukraine.
Temporary residency grounds for those who immigrate to Ukraine
Those who decide to move to Ukraine can apply for a residence permit that will be issued on a temporary basis under one of the following reasons:
- employment with a Ukrainian company or transfer to a branch of a foreign company;
- religious activities, participation in international educational, cultural, scientific activities;
- enrollment with a local education institution to which the applicants have already been accepted;
- investment, as Ukraine also has a program dedicated to foreign investors;
- marriage to a Ukrainian citizen and family reunification.
The good news about the temporary residence permit is that its validity can span from a few months to 3 years, depending on the reason one has to immigrate to Ukraine. The longest timeframe for such a permit usually covers work and international projects. We are also at your service if you are interested in moving here through the Ukraine citizenship by investment scheme.
Moving to Ukraine and obtaining permanent residency
Foreign citizens who want to come to Ukraine and plan on remaining here for an indefinite period of time can apply for permanent residency. Such a permit is available for the following categories of immigrants:
- highly skilled and/or qualified specialists who can make a significant contribution to the economy;
- investors who are willing to inject at least 100,000 USD in a local company;
- grandchildren, grandparents, spouses, and siblings of Ukrainian citizens.
In the case of foreign citizens married to Ukrainians, these must have been married for at least 2 years before the overseas spouse’s application for Ukrainian permanent residency is made. Those who want to immigrate to Ukraine must file all the necessary paperwork with the State Migration Service. Our lawyers can help foreign citizens in preparing their documents for obtaining various types of residence permits.
How to move to Ukraine as an investor
Foreign citizens interested in starting a business in Ukraine can relocate here under a specific visa, provided that they invest the equivalent of 100,000 USD. One can be a participant or the sole owner of a Ukrainian company in order to be granted a residence permit. At first, the shareholder will be granted a temporary visa, which can be prolonged until the minimum period of 5 years for obtaining permanent residency can be obtained.
If you are interested in moving to Ukraine and obtaining a residence permit, you should also know that you need to register with the local authorities within 30 days of entering the country.
When it is necessary to change the residence permit in Ukraine
There are several situations in which the residence permit in Ukraine can be changed:
- expiry or loss of the document,
- incorrect information,
- theft of the document,
- change of address, name, and/or other information.
In such situations, it is recommended to change the residence permit within a maximum of 15 working days. We remind you that the permanent residence permit in Ukraine is valid for 10 years and can be extended upon request. You have at your disposal the legal assistance offered by our attorneys in Ukraine for such cases.
Representation with a power of attorney in Ukraine
Immigrating to Ukraine of foreign citizens can also be done with a power of attorney. With this document, our Ukrainian lawyers can represent them in the formalities related to relocation. Preparation of documents, registration with the relevant authorities, and other such procedures can be successfully managed by our Ukrainian specialists. Here is a video presentation on this topic:
How to immigrate to Ukraine as a relative of residence permit holder
Foreign citizens who have lived long enough to have obtained permanent residency in Ukraine can bring their family members to join them. Among the relatives who relocate to Ukraine are:
- parents and grandparents;
- siblings;
- spouse and children;
- grandchildren.
Family reunification comes to the attention of our Ukrainian lawyers, who can help foreign citizens bring their close relatives to live with them. In order to apply for family reunification visas, the following documents must be prepared:
- the residence permit of the foreign citizen who is established here;
- the valid passport of the family member moving here;
- the D visa (this requirement applies to citizens from countries who must apply for visas);
- health insurance.
Services provided by our immigration lawyers in Ukraine
Our Ukrainian lawyers are at your disposal with several services, among which:
- verification if you need a visa to enter the country;
- assistance in filing the documents for the chosen type of residence permit;
- support in renewing the residence permit;
- guidance in bringing family members to Ukraine.
We can also help foreign citizens who come based on investment and want to open companies here. Our law firm is at the service of immigrants from everywhere in the world and offers personalized support to those who plan to move to Ukraine, no matter the type of residence permit they want to apply for.
Statistics about Ukraine’s immigration
Here is the current situation of immigration in Ukraine:
- Over 242,000 Ukrainians emmigrated to the UK in June 2024. They represent around 4% of the total number of Ukrainian refugees in Europe.
- According to the United Nations (UN), there are around 558,000 Ukrainians resettled outside Europe, while over 5 million have refugee status in European countries.
- Over 3.3 million Ukrainians have returned to the country, but to cities other than those from which they left.
If you want to immigrate to Ukraine and need guidance, we are at your service. Do not hesitate and contact our law firm in Ukraine for detailed information about all our services. Our lawyers can also help you set up a company in Ukraine with no requirement for a minimum share capital for LLC, in approx. 2-3 weeks.