Immigration Law Practice at MAGISTERS Law Firm
Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine
Obtain an immigration permit and a permanent residence card with legal support — from eligibility assessment to document issuance.
Kyiv · Kharkiv · Odesa · support across Ukraine
Assess your eligibility
Before applying to the SMS
Prepare your documents
Tailored to your circumstances and nationality
Guide you through the process
From immigration permit to residence card
Permanent residence status
What rights does permanent residence in Ukraine provide?
A permanent residence permit confirms a foreign national’s or stateless person’s right to reside lawfully in Ukraine on a permanent basis. The status does not require annual renewal, while the plastic residence card is issued for 10 years and must then be replaced as required by law.
Permanent residents may work in Ukraine without a separate foreign national employment permit, run a business, and exercise the rights granted by law to foreign nationals who reside permanently in the country.
Important: permanent residence is not Ukrainian citizenship and does not confer the political rights reserved for citizens.
Temporary vs permanent residence: what is the difference?
A temporary residence permit is tied to a specific legal ground and period of validity. Permanent residence confirms the right to reside without a fixed end date, provided the legal conditions for retaining that status are met.
To compare the two options, see our general guide to residence permits in Ukraine. This page focuses specifically on obtaining permanent residence.
Legal grounds
Who is eligible for permanent residence in Ukraine?
To obtain permanent residence, you must have a qualifying ground under the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration”. Owning property or living in Ukraine for a long time does not, by itself, guarantee an immigration permit.
Outside the quota
Marriage to a Ukrainian citizen
A spouse may apply for an immigration permit where the other spouse is a Ukrainian citizen and the marriage has lasted for more than two years. This category involves verification of the marriage, a questionnaire and an interview.
Outside the quota
Children and parents of Ukrainian citizens
Family relationships with Ukrainian citizens may constitute an independent ground for immigration. The relationship must be documented and the procedural requirements satisfied.
Outside the quota
Territorial origin
People eligible to acquire Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin may qualify for an immigration permit outside the quota, subject to the statutory requirements.
Article 4 categories
Former Ukrainian citizens and relatives
The law also covers former Ukrainian citizens, as well as siblings, grandparents and grandchildren of Ukrainian citizens. The eligibility criteria and conditions for each category must be assessed separately.
Article 4 categories
Skilled professionals, investment and family members
The law provides for certain highly qualified professionals, investors meeting the statutory foreign investment threshold, and specified family members of immigrants.
Special grounds
Residence under a temporary permit and other cases
Certain categories of foreign nationals may apply after five years of continuous residence under a temporary residence permit. This route is not available under every ground for temporary residence. The law also provides special categories for military personnel, Ukrainians abroad and stateless persons.
About immigration quotas: current legislation allows for an immigration quota to be established in the event of a mass influx of immigrants. Whether a quota applies to a particular category must be checked instead of relying on outdated annual limits.
Two legally distinct stages
An immigration permit is not the same as a residence card
In most standard cases, applicants first obtain a decision granting an immigration permit and then apply for a permanent residence card. The validity period of the card is not the same as the duration of the right to reside permanently.
Application procedure
How to obtain permanent residence in Ukraine: step by step
Effective legal support begins with verifying eligibility and documents, not simply completing an application form. Mistakes at this stage can lead to refusal and unnecessary delays.
STEP 1
Eligibility assessment
We review nationality, lawful stay, family circumstances, deadlines and supporting evidence.
STEP 2
Document preparation
We identify the required documents, translation and legalisation requirements, and any category-specific evidence.
STEP 3
Immigration permit
We assist with filing, communication with the State Migration Service, responses to requests and required checks.
STEP 4
Residence card application
After approval, we prepare the second-stage application for the residence card and assist with its collection.
Which documents are required?
The exact list depends on the immigration ground, place of application and applicant’s status. Typical documents include:
- a passport or stateless person’s travel document, with a certified translation of personal data;
- proof of lawful stay in Ukraine or documents required for an application from abroad;
- residence-address documents, photographs and other information required by the procedure;
- a marriage certificate, evidence of family ties, investment, professional qualifications or another qualifying ground;
- additional documents and supporting evidence required for the relevant category.
Can permanent residence be obtained remotely?
The law allows an immigration permit application to be submitted in person or through a legal representative. However, applications made in Ukraine may involve biometric capture and personal attendance for specified procedures. Applications for the biometric residence card generally require the applicant to attend in person.
Our approach: before starting, we establish which steps your lawyer can handle on your behalf and when your personal attendance will be necessary.
Permanent residence through marriage
Marriage-based applications: what to expect at the interview
When assessing an immigration permit application based on marriage, the migration authorities examine the circumstances of the relationship. The procedure includes a questionnaire and interviews with the spouses, with questions tailored to the couple.
According to guidance from the State Migration Service, the questionnaire may include 45 questions, and the interview may be audio- or video-recorded. Rather than memorising answers, couples should prepare genuine evidence and be ready to explain their shared family life consistently.
How a lawyer can help
- Review family documents and assess whether the legal requirements are met.
- Explain the questionnaire and interview process and the applicants’ rights.
- Organise genuine evidence of the relationship and shared residence.
- Assess the authorities’ actions and prepare a legal response where necessary.
Processing times and costs
How long does permanent residence take, and what government fees must be paid?
Official processing times, document preparation and legal support are separate components of the overall process.
Immigration permit — application in Ukraine
Up to 6 months
The statutory maximum period for the State Migration Service to review an application.
Immigration permit — application from abroad
Up to 1 year
For applications submitted through a Ukrainian diplomatic mission or consular office.
Permanent residence card
15 business days
The processing period after submission of the required documents.
Government fees in 2026
Under the published fees of the State Migration Service, the administrative charge for considering an immigration permit application filed in Ukraine is UAH 1,664. The fee for issuing a biometric permanent residence card is UAH 1,235 (including state duty, administrative service and card production) where no exemptions apply.
Translation, notarisation, document legalisation, visa and consular services may incur additional charges.
Legal fees
Our fees depend on the legal ground, documents, place of application and complexity of the case. Following an initial assessment, we agree the scope of work and the cost of legal assistance.
The processing times and fees above are based on State Migration Service information checked on 11 October 2026. Fees may change, special rules may apply to some applicants, and stated timelines do not guarantee approval.
Legal assistance
When a permanent residence application needs special attention
The main difficulty is often not the application form but an applicant’s lawful status, missing documents or inconsistent personal information.
We review the situation before filing to distinguish correctable documentation issues from the absence of a qualifying legal ground.
- The permitted period of stay or temporary residence card has expired.
- Certificates, translations, dates or family relationship documents contain errors.
- Documents must be obtained from other countries.
- The validity of a marriage or evidence of the relationship is being questioned.
- The State Migration Service has refused, delayed the application or requested additional documents.
Not every issue can be resolved without leaving Ukraine or changing immigration status. We assess the legal options first and then propose a realistic plan.
Why MAGISTERS
Legal support with clarity at every stage
A lawyer’s job is not to promise unrealistic speed but to build a legally sound application and reduce unnecessary administrative work for the client.
Legal strategy
We identify the appropriate legal ground, refusal risks and sequence of steps before filing.
Documents and communication with the authorities
We assist with collecting documents, responding to requests and monitoring procedural deadlines.
Support throughout Ukraine
We arrange assistance based on the applicant’s location and the territorial filing requirements.
Trust backed by experience
Video testimonials from our clients
Clients from different countries share their experiences of working with our lawyers and handling immigration documents in Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about permanent residence in Ukraine
Before applying, it is important to distinguish your individual circumstances from general legal rules.
A precise answer to an individual question requires reviewing the documents and relevant legal ground.
Can I obtain permanent residence if I am married to a Ukrainian citizen?
Yes, if the marriage has lasted more than two years and the other legal requirements are met. The State Migration Service may verify the marriage under the applicable procedure.
Is five years under a temporary residence permit enough?
Not necessarily. The five-year route applies only to categories expressly defined by the Law “On Immigration”, by reference to parts four through twelve of Article 4 of the Law “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons”. The legal ground under which the temporary permit was issued must be checked.
Do permanent residents need a separate work permit?
As a general rule, foreign nationals permanently resident in Ukraine may work without a separate foreign national employment permit. Certain professions may be subject to specific restrictions.
Can I apply while outside Ukraine?
Foreign nationals permanently resident abroad may apply for an immigration permit through a Ukrainian diplomatic mission or consular office in accordance with the established procedure. Separate entry and filing requirements apply when obtaining the residence card after approval.
What should I do if the application is refused?
Review the written decision, check the grounds and appeal deadlines, and assess whether defects can be remedied or the refusal challenged administratively or in court. The appropriate remedy depends on the reasons for refusal.
My residence card is expiring. Do I need a new immigration permit?
Routine replacement of an expiring residence card does not require obtaining a new immigration permit, provided the original permit has not been revoked or invalidated. The applicable replacement deadlines must be observed.
Regional services
Permanent residence assistance across Ukraine
We assist foreign national clients across different regions. The competent territorial office of the State Migration Service is determined by the applicant’s circumstances and legal requirements, not chosen arbitrarily.
Immigration lawyer consultation
Think you qualify for permanent residence? Let us review your documents before you apply.
Tell us your nationality, the ground on which you intend to apply and where you are currently located. We will identify the information and documents needed for an initial legal assessment.
Legal sources: Law of Ukraine “On Immigration”; State Migration Service — immigration permit; State Migration Service — permanent residence card. This information is general in nature; the applicable rules depend on each applicant’s circumstances.