Ukraine as Your New Home: A Complete Guide to Obtaining an Immigration Permit

Decided to build your future in Ukraine? You may be starting a business here, reuniting with family, or simply feel that this is the right place for you. That is a great decision. However, between your plans and everyday life in Ukraine lies one crucial step: legalizing your status.

To stay in Ukraine permanently, a visa or a temporary residence permit is not enough. You need a solid legal foundation, and that foundation is an Immigration Permit.

In this guide, the LegalService team breaks down a complex bureaucratic process into clear, practical steps. We explain who is eligible to immigrate, which documents are critical, and why this journey is best taken with professional guidance.

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What Is an Immigration Permit and Why Do You Need One?

Many foreigners confuse these concepts, so let’s simplify:

• A visa or visa-free entry means staying as a visitor for a limited period.

• An immigration permit is the state’s official approval for you to become a permanent resident of Ukraine.

This is a key document and a mandatory step before obtaining a Permanent Residence PermitImmigration Lawyer in Ukraine. Once the permit is granted, you are effectively equated in rights with Ukrainian citizens, except for voting rights, holding certain public offices, and purchasing agricultural land. You no longer need to renew your status annually and gain legal stability.

Who Is Eligible for an Immigration Permit: Quotas and Preferential Categories

Ukrainian legislation sets out clear eligibility grounds for applicants. The categories include:

• Investors. Individuals who have invested at least USD 100,000 (in convertible currency) into Ukraine’s economy.
• Professionals. Highly qualified specialists who are in critical demand on the labor market.
• Figures in science and culture, whose immigration is deemed to be in the interest of the state.
• Relatives. Full siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren of Ukrainian citizens.
• Former citizens. Persons who previously held Ukrainian citizenship.
• Military personnel. Foreign nationals who have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for more than three years.
• Spouses of Ukrainian citizens (provided the marriage has lasted more than two years).
• Children or parents of Ukrainian citizens.
• Persons who are guardians or wards of Ukrainian citizens (or vice versa).
• Individuals whose immigration is deemed to be in the state interest of Ukraine.

The Bureaucratic Marathon: Key Stages of the Process

The procedure appears linear, but the devil is in the details.

Step 1. Document collection and audit

This is the foundation of the process. An incorrect letter in the transliteration of your name or the absence of a required apostille can result in a refusal.

Step 2. Submission of the application

There are two scenarios:

1. If you are abroad, apply through a Ukrainian consulate in your country of residence.

2. If you are in Ukraine, submit the documents in person to the local division of the State Migration Service at your place of residence.

Step 3. Checks and waiting period

After submission, your documents undergo comprehensive verification, including by Interpol, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Security Service of Ukraine. The state must confirm that you do not pose a threat to national security.

• Processing time: Under the law, the review period is up to one year. In practice, applications filed through the State Migration Service in Ukraine are often processed within up to 6 months.

Step 4. Final stage

After a positive decision, you have one year to apply for and obtain the Permanent Residence Permit.

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Documents You Need to Prepare

The list may vary depending on your legal ground, but the “gold standard” set of documents includes:

1. Passport. The original passport and a notarized Ukrainian translation.
2. Grounds for immigration. A marriage certificate, proof of investment, or documents confirming family ties, etc.
3. Residence address. One of the most complex requirements. You must provide documents confirming your address abroad, as well as documents proving ownership of residential property or a notarized consent from the owner of a rented apartment allowing your registration in Ukraine.
4. Criminal record certificate. Issued by the country of your citizenship (subject to legalization or apostille).
5. Medical certificates. Confirmation of the absence of certain infectious diseases and addictions (a narcologist, infectious disease specialist). Note: for some categories, for example, immigration based on marriage, this requirement may not apply.
6. Receipt confirming the administrative fee payment.

Why Is Self Filing a Risk?

Ukrainian migration law is a multi-layered labyrinth, and without legal guidance it is easy to get lost. Common situations faced by foreign nationals who apply without a lawyer include:

• Refusal due to wording: An inaccuracy in translation or a certificate that is even one day out of date can result in a refusal. A repeat application is only possible after one year.

• Housing-related issues: Property owners are often reluctant to provide notarized consent for registering a foreign national at their address.

• Delays: Without proper oversight, documents can become lost between offices.

Assistance of a Migration Lawyer in Ukraine 

At LegalService, we do more than just fill out forms. We build a strategy for your relocation:

• Microscopic review: we examine your documents before they ever reach a Migration Service inspector, eliminating surprises.

• Solving non-standard issues: we assist with translations, apostilles, and even communication with property owners to obtain notarized consent for registration.

• 24/7 case control: we monitor your application status and lawfully expedite the process wherever possible.

You focus on your life, business, or family. We take care of the bureaucracy.

Ready to make Ukraine your home? Schedule a consultation with a LegalService migration lawyer today and start your path to legal residence the right way.