Foreigners can apply for permanent residency in Ukraine and benefit from legal advice from our local lawyers. This article provides information about this type of residency, mentioning that our lawyers in Ukraine can explain the main requirements, and legal procedures for moving here and obtaining the desired status.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Residence permit types |
Temporary residence permits, permanent residence permit |
|
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit |
Approx. 15 days |
|
Temporary residence permit validity |
Between 1 and 3 years depending on the reason of immigration |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
Valid passport, valid visa for entering Ukraine, health insurance, proof of reason for immigration, proof of payment of the stamp duty |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | Registration of local address with the local municipality |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder |
Yes |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes |
Yes |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 5 years of continuous legal residence in Ukraine on the basis of a temporary residence permit. |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | Valid passport, recent photos, application form, proof of having lived in Ukraine for the minimum period required |
| Naturalization requirements | Living in Ukraine for 5 years |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | 5 uninterrputed years |
The main ways of obtaining residency in Ukraine in 2026
Foreign citizens who want to live in Ukraine need to apply for residence permits. They need to meet certain requirements and must relocate to the country under specific reasons that justify their stay here.
Here are the options foreign citizens have if they want to obtain Ukrainian residency:
- employment is one of the main reasons for which foreign citizens come to Ukraine;
- marriage can also be mentioned to enter and apply for residence in Ukraine;
- starting a business is one of the top choices of overseas entrepreneurs;
- investment which implies injecting capital in the country’s economy is usually chosen by a part of foreigners who want to live in Ukraine.
Immigration through any of the means above can lead to permanent residence in Ukraine.
Immigration through employment, marriage, business establishment, or investment can be a legal basis for obtaining the right to reside in Ukraine. However, permanent residence is not automatically granted on these grounds.
In order to obtain permanent residence in Ukraine, if you are a foreign citizen, you must first obtain an immigration permit, issued by the competent authorities, either within the annual quotas established by the state, or outside them, depending on the category you belong to (for example, investors, qualified specialists, or family members of Ukrainian citizens).
After obtaining the immigration permit, you can apply for a permanent residence permit, which confirms the right to reside in Ukraine for an unlimited period, in accordance with the current legislation. If you are interested in applying for residency, our law firm in Ukraine is at your service with assistance in obtaining the desired type of permit.
Immigration quotas in Ukraine
Individuals interested in obtaining permanent residence in Ukraine in 2026 should be aware that the authorities are particularly keen on attracting specific categories of migrants. Among these are:
- skilled migrants;
- scientists and cultural workers;
- persons who are married to Ukrainian citizens;
- investors.
Many of them are also allowed to relocate to Ukraine with close family members.
Obtaining permanent residence in Ukraine as a dependent is not complicated; however, we recommend using the services of our specialists for a stress-free relocation. This is also an option for those who want to apply for citizenship by investment in Ukraine.
Obtaining Ukrainian residency through temporary relocation
Foreign citizens interested in moving to Ukraine in 2026 can first decide on temporary residency in order to get acquainted with the living style here. In order to obtain such a permit, one must enter the country based on a D visa and then start the residency application procedure. The D visa is a multiple-entry visa with a validity of 3 months, which enables a foreign person to enter Ukraine and leave the country on various occasions during this time span, to complete various formalities, such as finding a property to live in.
Once the visa is obtained from the Ukrainian embassy in the applicant’s home country, the foreign citizen can come and apply for the temporary residence permit. An exception to the visa requirement applies to Georgian, Armenian, Moldavian, Uzbek, and Azeri citizens who can enter Ukraine based on their passports. Russian and Belarusian citizens must first apply for a visa to enter Ukraine or use their residence permit.
Our lawyers in Ukraine can advise on the procedures and documents to prepare in order to relocate here.
How to obtain investment-based permanent residence in Ukraine
Investment is one of the most appealing ways of obtaining residency in Ukraine, as the program resembles those of other countries. However, one should note that if interested in this scheme, a real estate purchase is not an option under this scheme.
The main requirements of the investment-based residence program in Ukraine are:
- the minimum amount to be invested is 100,000 USD;
- the investment must be made in a currency that can be converted into UAH (Ukrainian hryvnia);
- the amount of money must be injected in the Ukrainian economy.
Most investors choose setting up companies in Ukraine based on this amount. The residence permit obtained this way has a validity of 10 years, one of the longest in Europe, and can be renewed. Investment is a direct way of obtaining Ukrainian permanent residency, and our law firm is at your service if you want to explore this option.
Briefly learn the steps, options, and advantages of obtaining permanent residency in Ukraine from the infographic below:
How to obtain permanent residence in Ukraine through employment in 2026
Employment is one of the main ways through which a foreign citizen can relocate to Ukraine and settle for an indefinite period of time. Local companies are keen on hiring foreign specialists in domains that are of interest, as well as other people who come to work here temporarily. As Ukraine is not an EU member state, the work permit is conditioned by a residence permit, so a foreign citizen who wants to live here can do so by finding employment with a Ukrainian company. The procedure of obtaining permanent residency this way implies:
- obtaining a work contract;
- waiting for the employer to complete the formalities on its end;
- apply for a visa for Ukraine and move here.
The requirements for obtaining a residence permit are the same for citizens of EU and non-EU countries, and our lawyers in Ukraine can provide tailored guidance on the procedure and the time required to obtain a work and residence visa.
Another way of moving to Ukraine and obtaining residency is an intra-company transfer. This implies that foreign companies that operate through branch offices or subsidiaries can transfer employees from their countries of origin to Ukraine. These can occupy management positions or other functions and must relocate here based on work and residence permits.
Do not hesitate to use our legal services if you intend to immigrate to Ukraine and apply for permanent residence permits.
Obtaining Ukrainian permanent residence as a self-employed person
Foreign citizens who decide to move to Ukraine and who are qualified to offer specific services can set up sole proprietorships based on the residence permits they obtain and operate here. Digital nomads can also work from Ukraine, even if there is no special visa yet. Kiev, the capital city of the country, is one of the most desired places to work in as it has great co-working spaces and great internet connection, which enables foreign citizens to live and work here. In order to qualify for permanent residence in Ukraine as a sole trader, one must first obtain a temporary residence permit that can be converted into a permanent one after living here for 10 years.
How to obtain Ukrainian residency by marriage
Marriage is one of the main ways through which permanent residence can be acquired in Ukraine. In this case, there are two important aspects to consider:
- the first one implies the place where the marriage was registered (in or outside Ukraine);
- the period in which the foreign spouse has lived with the Ukrainian citizen.
If the marriage was registered abroad, it must first be acknowledged in Ukraine, in which case our local law firm can assist. If the marriage was registered in Ukraine, the spouses must have lived together for at least 2 years before the foreign spouse is entitled to apply for permanent residency. You can rely on our attorneys in Ukraine for various family matters, including divorce, child custody, and support.
Why get permanent residence in Ukraine
There are benefits to consider when applying for a permanent residence permit in Ukraine:
- foreigners with residence in Ukraine can access prestigious universities in major cities;
- there are no customs duties for those who relocate to Ukraine and bring their vehicles;
- the simplified tax scheme is another advantage for private businessmen in Ukraine who have a permanent residence permit;
- former Ukrainian citizens can regain their residency quite easily;
- a permanent residence permit in Ukraine is valid for 10 years and can be extended for another 10.
Do you have plans to immigrate to Ukraine soon? It is recommended to opt for our legal services and have the guarantee that you meet all the legal conditions and formalities of relocation.
How to obtain citizenship in Ukraine
If you are interested in Ukrainian citizenship, here are some of the formalities to keep in mind:
- applicants must prove that they have lived in Ukraine for at least 5 years without interruption in order to apply for citizenship.
- knowledge of the Ukrainian language is another required condition.
- those married to a Ukrainian citizen can apply for citizenship after 2 years of residency.
- the procedure for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship is greatly simplified for foreign military personnel.
- applicants must know the history and culture of Ukraine when applying for citizenship. A test is required in this regard.
- all documents and formalities for obtaining citizenship in Ukraine are carefully supervised by the State Migration Services.
Once Ukrainian citizenship is obtained, individuals also obtain a passport issued by the authorities. As in the case of those who want to obtain permanent residency in Ukraine, we recommend specialized legal assistance for citizenship. The process can thus be easier and more straightforward, taking into account the fact that our specialists know the legislation, can handle the specific documents, and can also facilitate collaboration with the relevant authorities.
About Ukrainian residence permits
Here are the latest statistical data on residence permits in Ukraine at the end of 2025:
- In the fall of 2025, over 46,966 foreign citizens and stateless persons held temporary residence permits in Ukraine.
- 4,938 permanent residence permits were issued in the third trimester of 2025.
- 1,911 extensions of stay for foreigners and stateless persons were issued at the end of 2025 in Ukraine.
If you are interested in Ukrainian permanent residence and need support in applying for a permit, please contact our law firm in Ukraine. Our lawyers can also help you open a business in Ukraine with no requirement for a minimum share capital for LLC, in approx. 2-3 weeks.