Residence in Ukraine

How does a foreigner get a residence permit in Ukraine?

Published 29 October 2026 · facts checked against the primary sources on 2026-10-29 · Ukraine For ALL, Kyiv

Ukraine has two residence cards. The temporary residence permit follows a purpose and lasts as long as that purpose. The permanent residence permit follows an immigration permit and is issued for 10 years; it has its own guide. This page covers the temporary card.

Which grounds give a temporary residence permit?

Article 4 of Law No. 3773-VI lists the grounds, and Article 5-1 fixes how long the card is valid for each of them. An applicant has to fit one listed category.

For the investor ground, the €100,000 is the size of the foreigner's stake in the charter capital of the Ukrainian company, converted at the National Bank of Ukraine rate on the date the investment was made (Art. 4(12)). The company must be in the Unified State Register, and it gives the State Migration Service (DMS) a written undertaking to report if the foreigner stops being its founder, participant or beneficial owner (Art. 5(12)).

A card valid "up to 1 year" is exchanged every year while the ground lasts. For the spouse of a Ukrainian citizen, Article 4(14) keeps the stay lawful until the person receives a permanent residence permit or citizenship.

Do you need a visa before applying?

In most cases, yes. Article 5-2 of Law No. 3773-VI requires a long-term visa for the purpose of getting a temporary residence permit, unless another law or a treaty says otherwise. The long-term visa is type D. A Ukrainian consulate issues it as a multiple-entry visa for 90 days (Cabinet Resolution No. 118, Visa Rules).

The visa requirement does not apply to:

• people for whom a decision has been taken to process a refugee or complementary protection claim;
• foreigners under parts 19 and 24 of Article 4 (military contract and combat assistance) and their family members;
• children of residents under parts 14 and 15 who were lawfully in Ukraine when they turned 16 and apply within one month of that birthday (Art. 5-2(2)).

Law No. 4816-IX of 12 March 2026 added a wartime exception. For the period of martial law and one year after it ends, the D visa is not required for staff of branches and representative offices of foreign companies that receive humanitarian aid, and for participants of international and regional volunteer programmes or organisations that engage volunteers. Russian citizens are excluded (Law No. 3773-VI, Section IV, item 11).

Visa-free visitors stay up to 90 days within 180 days, unless a law or treaty sets another term (Cabinet Resolution No. 150, para. 2). The visa-free stay does not replace the D visa where the D visa is required.

What is the sequence of steps?

1. Secure the ground. For employment, the employer gets the work permit first; see hiring a foreign employee. For the investor route, the stake must already be in the Unified State Register.
2. Apply for the D visa at a Ukrainian consulate with the documents behind the ground.
3. Enter Ukraine on that visa.
4. File the application at your place of residence: a DMS territorial office, an administrative services centre (TsNAP) or a DMS state enterprise (Resolution No. 322, para. 16).
5. Collect the card. Then declare or register your place of residence within 30 calendar days of receiving it (Law No. 1871-IX, Art. 5(5)).

Every applicant files, in addition to the ground documents, the passport with the D visa, a certified Ukrainian translation of the passport data page and proof of payment (Law No. 3773-VI, Art. 5(19)). A passport issued in English needs no translation. Most grounds also require a valid medical insurance policy (Art. 5(4)–(15)). Documents issued abroad need legalisation or an apostille and a notarised Ukrainian translation (Resolution No. 322, para. 13); see apostille and translation.

What are the deadlines and fees?

The three DMS charges add up to UAH 1,140. The DMS page lists them separately. Stateless persons recognised under Law No. 3773-VI do not pay the service charge or the card blank for a first card. Translation, notarisation, apostilles and insurance are paid separately, as is the employer's work permit fee.

If fewer than 15 working days are left before the card expires, only the DMS territorial office accepts the exchange file. That office extends the person's temporary residence for the time needed to decide (Resolution No. 322, para. 19).

Where do applications fail?

The 90 days run out. The D visa gives 90 days. The file is due 15 working days before the end of the stay, and the decision takes up to 10 working days more. Applicants who spend the first weeks on housing and paperwork lose the window.

The address check. The DMS verifies the address given in the application. If no title deed or lease was filed, an officer visits the address after one working day's notice by phone and email. The act is signed by two officers and by the foreigner when the residence is confirmed; in the foreigner's absence the owner or neighbours may sign it (Resolution No. 322, para. 36-1). A landlord who refuses a written lease creates a problem for the application.

Foreign documents without an apostille. Resolution No. 107 of 4 February 2023 waives legalisation during martial law only for documents that Ukraine already accepted without it on 24 February 2022. For everything else the apostille or consular legalisation still applies.

Citizens of Russia. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 1232, for the duration of martial law and 30 days after it, DMS offices refuse to accept temporary residence applications from Russian citizens until a special law is in force. The exceptions are the grounds in parts 4, 14, 15, 19 and 24 of Article 4, and other grounds backed by a written petition from the responsible ministry.

Old cards from the war period. The DMS reports that temporary cards due for exchange after 24 February 2022 had to be exchanged between 7 May and 4 August 2026 (Resolution No. 141 of 5 February 2026). The wartime extension now covers permanent residence cards only (Resolution No. 1202).

FAQ

Can I switch from a tourist stay to a residence permit without leaving Ukraine?

Usually no. Article 5-2 of Law No. 3773-VI requires a long-term D visa for the residence permit. The exceptions are the categories listed in that article, the wartime exception for humanitarian branches and volunteers, and other cases set by law or treaty.

Does a temporary residence permit allow me to work?

The permit follows the ground. For employment the employer needs a work permit, and the residence card runs for the term of that work permit (Law No. 3773-VI, Art. 5-1(1)(1)). Read who may work without a work permit.

How much money do I need to invest for a residence permit?

For the temporary card: a stake of at least €100,000 in a Ukrainian company's charter capital, at the NBU rate on the investment date (Art. 4(12)). The card is issued for 2 years. Permanent residence by investment is a separate route with a USD 100,000 threshold; see immigration permit by investment.

How long does the State Migration Service take?

The decision is due by the 10th working day and the card within 15 working days after the file is accepted (Resolution No. 322, paras. 5, 37).

Can I appeal a refusal?

Yes. A refusal to issue, exchange or hand over a card can be appealed to the DMS within 30 calendar days of being notified, or to a court (Resolution No. 322, para. 77).

Do I have to register my address?

Yes. A foreigner declares or registers the place of residence within 30 calendar days of receiving the residence card (Law No. 1871-IX, Art. 5(5)).