Foreign Volunteers in Ukraine: Legally Changing Organizations and Extending Your Stay

Even before the war, Ukraine attracted volunteers from around the world. Some came to work in summer school camps or student exchange programs to help with language immersion.

Others joined projects in culture, arts, or environmental protection. There were also initiatives focused on gender equality, women’s and children’s rights, and support for the elderly and people with disabilities.

However, the full-scale invasion shifted priorities: humanitarian aid, psychological support for victims, and evacuation logistics have come to the forefront. Many foreign volunteers have decided to switch to new fields of activity.

And this raises an important question: how can you stay in Ukraine legally if your volunteer work has changed, and what documents are needed?

In this article, we’ll outline the main legal challenges faced by volunteers, share a real-life example, and explain how LegalService helps resolve these issues smoothly and effectively.

Related article: What documents are needed when you plan to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine?

Legal Challenges When Changing Volunteer Organizations

Volunteering may seem like a noble and straightforward activity, but even a legal change in the scope of work can trigger a number of issues:

• documents not translated into Ukrainian with notarized certification;

• inaccuracies in names, dates, or organization titles;

• the host organization lacking the proper legal status to invite a foreign volunteer;

• missing diploma supplements or certificates proving qualifications;

• improperly drafted applications, invitations, or guarantee letters;

• missing apostilles or issues with document legalization;

• prolonged procedures, sometimes taking several months or even up to a year.

Without professional legal assistance, these issues can significantly complicate, or even invalidate, a volunteer’s legal stay in Ukraine.

Real Case: How to Properly Change Volunteer Organizations

Here’s a real case from our practice. A couple from the United States came to Ukraine to engage in cultural and educational work, as well as provide psychological support. Initially, they participated in an educational project, interacting with children and organizing events.

However, after the war began, their organization transformed into a humanitarian center: volunteers started delivering aid, offering psychological support, and assisting with evacuations.

When the original NGO ceased operations and established a charitable foundation instead, the question of legal stay arose: how could the foreign volunteers officially change organizations and keep their residence permits, without having to leave the country?

Step by Step: How We Solved the Issue

1. Registering the new organization

• Drafting the founding documents

• Obtaining nonprofit status

• Securing official recognition as an organization authorized to host foreign volunteers

2. Coordination with migration authorities

• Notifying the State Migration Service (SMS) about the termination of the previous organization

• Preparing and submitting the full set of documents to exchange the temporary residence permits

• Translating passports, insurance policies, and applications

3. Issuing new residence permits

• Obtaining permits based on volunteer activities within the new charitable foundation

• officially liquidating the previous NGO

As a result, our clients were able to legally continue their work in Ukraine without unnecessary delays or extra costs.

Related article: How can a volunteer obtain a residence permit in Ukraine?

Continue Your Volunteer Work Without Unnecessary Stress

You came to Ukraine to help, and your energy and experience shouldn’t be held back by bureaucracy. We make every legal step clear and fast, so you can stay focused on what matters most: your volunteer mission.

With our support:

• Your documents are prepared correctly and legalized without errors.

• Interaction with government authorities is smooth and hassle-free.

• Changing organizations and obtaining a residence permit happen quickly, without unnecessary delays or costs.

Don’t waste time on complicated procedures – submit a request to LegalService today. We’ll guide you through a clear process to ensure your volunteer work remains legal, safe, and effective.

You help people, and we help you work legally.