A foreigner moves to Ukraine in steps. The first is a temporary residence permit on a ground listed in Law No. 3773-VI, usually after a 90-day D visa. Permanent residence follows an immigration permit under Law No. 2491-III, and citizenship usually needs five years of residence, that permit and exams in Ukrainian, the Constitution and history. Foreign documents usually need an apostille or consular legalisation and a certified Ukrainian translation.
The State Migration Service (DMS) runs every step below. The guides follow the order a person meets them, with the article behind each rule and the date we checked it.
| Step | Key rule and 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence card | File at least 15 working days before the permitted stay ends; card in 15 working days; DMS fees UAH 1,140 (Resolution No. 322; dmsu.gov.ua) |
| Immigration permit | Review up to 6 months in Ukraine, 1 year through a consulate; fee UAH 1,664 (Law No. 2491-III, Art. 9) |
| Permanent residence card | Apply within 1 year of the permit; valid 10 years; DMS fees UAH 1,235 (Law No. 2491-III, Art. 11; Resolution No. 321) |
| Citizenship by naturalisation | Five years of residence, immigration permit, exams; language exam UAH 9,984 (Law No. 2235-III, Art. 9; mova.gov.ua) |
| Marriage | Registered one month after the application (Family Code, Art. 32) |
- Permanent Residence in Ukraine → Immigration PermitPermanent residence in Ukraine runs through an immigration permit: who qualifies, the 6-month review, the UAH 1,664 fee in 2026, the 10-year card and refusals.
- How to Get Ukrainian Citizenship as a Foreigner → 2026Ukrainian citizenship by naturalisation: five years of residence, an immigration permit, B1 Ukrainian, exams, and dual citizenship for 34 listed states.
- Getting Married in Ukraine as a Foreigner → 2026How a foreigner marries in Ukraine: the civil registry, the one-month wait, proof of lawful stay, foreign divorce papers, and the residence permit after.
- Apostille and Translation for Documents Used in UkraineWhich foreign documents need an apostille or consular legalisation in Ukraine, who issues it, the notarised translation, and Ukrainian apostilles.
FAQ
Can I move to Ukraine without a job or a company?
Only on another ground listed in Article 4 of Law No. 3773-VI, such as study, marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, family reunification or a volunteer programme. The law has no general ground for simply living in Ukraine.
How long until I can get permanent residence?
It depends on the category. The spouse of a Ukrainian citizen qualifies after more than two years of marriage. On the general route, five years of continuous residence on a temporary permit with a qualifying ground opens the immigration permit; years on a student permit do not count (Law No. 2491-III, Art. 4).
Does Ukraine allow dual citizenship?
For citizens of 34 states on a Cabinet list, including the US, the UK, Canada and every EU member state, yes: they file a declaration and keep their first citizenship. Others usually undertake to give up their foreign citizenship and file proof of that within two years (Law No. 2235-III, Arts. 1, 9, 10-1).
Are the rules different under martial law?
Yes, in places. Russian citizens face a special regime for most DMS services, permanent residence cards that expired after 24 February 2022 stay valid during martial law and 30 days after, and some volunteers and humanitarian branches are exempt from the D visa. Martial law was extended from 31 October 2026 for 90 days.
Where do I file?
In Ukraine, at the DMS office, an administrative services centre (TsNAP) or a DMS state enterprise at your place of residence; for the immigration permit and citizenship, also at a Ukrainian consulate if you live abroad.
Legal Solutions (legal.ua) is the immigration practice of the group. It matches a client's situation to the right procedure, from a visa invitation or work permit to a residence permit, family reunification, study or investment, and prepares and accompanies the file at the migration service.
Legal Solutions (legal.ua) is part of the same group as Ukraine For ALL.
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Primary sources
- Law of Ukraine No. 3773-VI "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons" (last amended by Law No. 4816-IX of 12 March 2026) — zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3773-17 (checked 2026-10-29)
- Law of Ukraine No. 2491-III "On Immigration" (version of 16 January 2026) — zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2491-14 (checked 2026-10-29)
- Law of Ukraine No. 2235-III "On Citizenship of Ukraine" (version of 10 May 2026) — zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2235-14 (checked 2026-10-29)
- Cabinet Resolutions No. 322 and No. 321 of 25 April 2018 (version of 6 May 2026) — zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/322-2018-п (checked 2026-10-29)
- Presidential Decree No. 64/2022 on martial law, extended by Decree No. 1060/2026 — zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/64/2022 (checked 2026-10-29)
- State Migration Service, services for foreigners — dmsu.gov.ua (checked 2026-10-29)