IMMIGRATION LAWYERS · MAGISTERS
Residence Permit in Ukraine — Legal Assistance with Your Application
We help foreign nationals and stateless persons obtain a residence permit in Ukraine. Our lawyers assess eligibility for temporary or permanent residence, prepare the required documents and guide the application through the State Migration Service.
Kyiv · Kharkiv · Odesa · Online consultations
12+ years
Legal practice experience
35 countries
Countries represented by our clients
End-to-end support
From eligibility assessment to receipt of your card
Your concerns, answered
Foreign nationals need more than a list of documents. They also want to know whether they can rely on a lawyer throughout the application. Here are our answers to the questions we hear most often — without unrealistic promises.
Yes, we can start promptly
We will assess your legal grounds and prepare an action plan. Official processing times depend on the procedure.
Yes, the process will be lawful
We prepare documents according to current requirements and explain potential legal risks in advance.
Yes, we will assess your eligibility
Before filing, we will examine your documents and explain what is needed for a favourable decision by the State Migration Service.
Yes, we assist at every stage
Consultation, paperwork, application, communication with the migration authorities and collection of the residence card.
Yes, we will make the process clear
You will know what documents are required, what stage your case has reached and what comes next.
Yes, we work under a written agreement
We agree on the scope of legal services, each party’s obligations and the fees before work begins.
Temporary or permanent residence permit: which one do you need?
Ukraine issues two principal types of residence cards. The right option depends on your legal grounds, not just on how long you wish to stay.
Temporary Residence Permit in Ukraine
A temporary residence permit (posvidka na tymchasove prozhyvannia) confirms a foreign national’s right to reside in Ukraine for a specified period. Common grounds include employment, study, marriage, family reunification and qualifying activities under Ukrainian law.
Validity: usually up to one year, although different periods apply to certain categories.
Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine
A permanent residence permit (posvidka na postiine prozhyvannia) is generally issued after an immigration permit has been granted. It confirms the right to permanent residence; the plastic card is usually valid for 10 years.
Important: permanent residence requires a legal ground specified by Ukraine’s Law on Immigration.
What is a residence permit in Ukraine and what rights does it provide?
A residence permit is the commonly used English term for the document confirming a foreign national’s or stateless person’s right to reside in Ukraine temporarily or permanently. Its official Ukrainian names are “posvidka na tymchasove prozhyvannia” and “posvidka na postiine prozhyvannia”.
A residence permit allows you to live in Ukraine under the relevant legal grounds and access rights and services provided by law, including banking and everyday services. However, a residence permit is not Ukrainian citizenship, and the right to work depends on your status and other legal requirements.
A Ukrainian residence card does not, by itself, grant visa-free entry to the Schengen Area. Travel rules depend on your nationality and the destination country’s visa regime.
How to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine: five steps
To obtain a residence permit in Ukraine, you need to establish the correct legal grounds, meet the filing deadlines and provide supporting documents. Permanent residence normally involves a separate immigration permit procedure.
01
Check eligibility
We establish which residence route may be available and identify any obstacles to filing.
02
Plan your entry
We check whether a type D long-stay visa is required and when you need to be physically present in Ukraine.
03
Prepare the documents
We organise proof of eligibility, translations, insurance and any other documents required in your case.
04
Apply to the competent authority
The applicant completes any legally required steps in person. The lawyer assists with filing and addressing requests or objections.
05
Receive the card and register your residence
We explain how to collect the document, register your address and replace the card when necessary.
Legal grounds for a temporary residence permit in Ukraine
A desire to stay in Ukraine is not sufficient on its own. Foreign nationals need a statutory ground supported by documents. Common categories include:
Employment in Ukraine
Residence based on employment, supported by the required documents, including a work permit where one is mandatory.
Education
Enrolment at a Ukrainian educational institution and evidence of the study period.
Marriage and family reunification
Residence with a spouse who is a Ukrainian citizen, or family reunification in circumstances provided for by law.
Volunteering and public-interest programmes
Participation in activities of qualifying organisations or programmes that meet the statutory requirements.
Business and investment
Certain founders, shareholders and beneficial owners of Ukrainian companies who meet specific conditions set by law.
Other statutory grounds
Religious, scientific and cultural activities, work with international organisations and other qualifying cases.
If your objective is permanent residence, the grounds for immigration and the procedure are explained in detail on our Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine page.
What documents are needed for a residence permit in Ukraine?
The exact list depends on your nationality, current immigration status and legal grounds. An error in a single document can lead to the application being rejected as incomplete or require you to file again.
Basic documentation
- A valid passport or another recognised identity document
- Documents evidencing lawful entry or stay, as required by the relevant procedure
- A Ukrainian translation of the passport, certified as required by law
- Health insurance, where required by law
- Proof of payment of mandatory fees or eligibility for an exemption
Documents supporting your grounds
- Employment permit and supporting documents from the employer
- Documents issued by the educational institution
- Marriage certificate and other evidence of family ties
- Proof of volunteering, scientific work or other qualifying activities
- For permanent residence: the immigration permit and documents needed to issue the residence card
Foreign-issued documents may require an apostille or consular legalisation; exceptions depend on applicable international treaties. The exact requirements should be checked for your category before filing.
How long does a residence permit take, and what government fees apply?
The following are official processing periods and government fees for 2026. They exclude translations, insurance, notarial services and the cost of legal assistance.
Temporary residence permit
Up to 15 working days from acceptance of the application is the general timeframe for issuing the card.
UAH 1,140 — government charges for the card in 2026, unless an exemption applies.
Permanent residence permit
Up to six months for consideration of an immigration permit application filed in Ukraine, followed by generally up to 15 working days for issuance of the card.
UAH 1,664 — fee for an immigration permit; UAH 1,235 — government charges for the permanent residence card in 2026, where applicable.
Legal fees are calculated separately after reviewing your grounds and documents. We confirm the scope of work and the price before signing an agreement.
Official information: temporary residence — SMS · permanent residence — SMS · immigration permit — SMS
Renewal and replacement of a temporary residence permit
Some clients contact us not for their first residence card, but because an existing permit is nearing expiry or their grounds for residence have changed.
Prepare in advance
It is sensible to review your eligibility and documents well in advance. For a first temporary residence application, the general filing deadline is no later than 15 working days before your authorised stay ends.
If your card is close to expiry
A replacement application for a valid temporary residence card may be made up to the last day of its validity. If fewer than 15 working days remain, the application is submitted directly to an office of the State Migration Service; the special procedure can extend the permitted period of stay while the application is being considered.
An expired card requires individual legal assessment. There is no automatic right to replace it once it has expired. Read more about residence permit renewal and replacement.
Employment, address registration and citizenship after receiving a residence permit
Can I work in Ukraine with a residence permit?
Foreign nationals who have permanent residence can generally work without a separate foreign-worker employment permit. A temporary residence card does not itself replace a work permit if one is required for the particular job; statutory exemptions apply.
Must I register my place of residence?
Yes. Where the applicable procedure requires it, a foreign national must register or declare their residential address within 30 calendar days after receiving a temporary or permanent residence card.
Does a residence permit lead to Ukrainian citizenship?
A residence card does not confer citizenship automatically. Eligibility for naturalisation depends on all statutory conditions, including the applicable residence period and other legal requirements.
Why might a residence permit be refused, and when should you involve a lawyer?
A refusal, an incomplete application or a missed deadline does not always mean that a lawful option is unavailable. Each case must be assessed against the documents and applicable law.
Insufficient proof of eligibility
Documents that fail to support the stated grounds, translation errors or missing evidence.
Problems with deadlines or status
Overstaying, an expired document, late replacement, entry issues or visa requirements.
Refusal by the migration authority or a complex case
We examine the reasons for the decision, gather evidence and prepare explanations, an administrative complaint or court appeal where legally justified.
Applying for a residence permit in Ukraine with MAGISTERS lawyers
Our service is more than handing over a document checklist. We review your circumstances, identify a legal route, prepare the application package and guide your dealings with the migration authorities. If you intend to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine, legal preparation can begin before you enter the country.
- Consultation in Ukraine or online before arrival
- Review of nationality, legal grounds, visa requirements and deadlines
- Preparation of applications, translations and supporting documents
- Assistance with the State Migration Service application and any requests for clarification
- Guidance on the steps to take after receiving your residence card
For us, turnkey residence permit assistance means a clearly agreed scope of legal services. It does not mean replacing the applicant’s personal attendance where the law requires it.
Video testimonials from clients we assisted with residence permits
Genuine videos from clients of different nationalities. Their experiences relate to individual cases and do not guarantee the outcome of another application.
Residence permits in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa
We assist foreign nationals with immigration matters across Ukraine. The competent office and application procedure depend on the applicant’s status and applicable rules.
Residence permit in Kyiv
Consultation, eligibility review, document preparation and assistance with the immigration procedure.
Residence permit in Kharkiv
Consultation, eligibility review, document preparation and assistance with the immigration procedure.
Residence permit in Odesa
Consultation, eligibility review, document preparation and assistance with the immigration procedure.
Frequently asked questions about residence permits in Ukraine
How can I apply for a residence permit in Ukraine while abroad?
First, determine the legal grounds and check entry requirements, including whether a long-stay type D visa is needed. Consultation and much of the document preparation can be completed remotely, but certain stages require the applicant to attend in person.
Can I apply for a residence permit without leaving Ukraine?
It depends on your nationality, current lawful immigration status, legal grounds and visa requirements. Some categories can apply from within Ukraine; others must obtain the appropriate visa first. We review each situation before filing.
How can Russian or Belarusian citizens apply for residence permits?
Special restrictions and security checks apply to Russian and Belarusian nationals, including during martial law. There is no universal procedure or guarantee of approval. Current exceptions, documents and eligibility must be assessed individually.
Can I buy a residence permit in Ukraine?
No. A lawful residence permit is issued only when the statutory grounds exist and the prescribed procedure has been completed. Offers to sell a “ready-made card” without legal grounds create risks of fraud and legal consequences.
How can I obtain Ukrainian citizenship if I hold a residence permit?
A residence permit does not automatically turn into citizenship. Applicants must independently meet the requirements of Ukraine’s citizenship legislation, including applicable rules on residence, its duration and continuity, and other statutory conditions.
Does a Ukrainian residence permit allow visa-free travel in Europe?
No. A Ukrainian residence card does not automatically grant visa-free entry into the EU or Schengen Area. The rules principally depend on your nationality and the destination country.
What should I do if the State Migration Service refuses my application?
Obtain and review the written decision, examine the legal grounds for refusal and assess whether defects can be corrected or the decision challenged. The deadlines and procedure depend on the circumstances.
How much does a lawyer charge for residence permit assistance?
Our legal fees are determined after consultation and an assessment of the grounds, documents and work involved. Government fees and translation, insurance and notarial expenses are charged separately.
Discuss your residence permit application
Call us or message us using your preferred app. During your consultation, we will identify the residence route that may be available, outline the filing requirements and explain the expected costs.