How to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine: Requirements and procedure
Obtaining permanent residence in Ukraine is an important step for foreigners wishing to live and work in Ukraine on a permanent basis. The procedure is regulated by the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons". Below are the main stages and requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit.
1- Requirements for obtaining a residence permit
Categories of persons who can apply for a residence permit
foreigners who have family ties with Ukrainian citizens:
- Marriage to a citizen of Ukraine.
- Minor children or parents of a citizen of Ukraine.
Immigration Eligible Aliens:
- Investors who have made significant investments in the Ukrainian economy.
- Highly skilled professionals and employees.
- Persons who were previously citizens of Ukraine.
foreigners with humanitarian reasons:
- Individuals in need of additional protection.
- Refugees.
Other Categories:
- Persons who have a temporary residence permit in Ukraine and have been legally residing in the country for at least three years.
2. Procedure for obtaining a residence permit
Step 1: Submitting an application
Presentation Location:
- An application for permanent residence permit is submitted to the territorial subdivision of the State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMS) at the place of residence or to the consular office of Ukraine abroad.
Documents:
- A completed application in the prescribed format.
- A valid passport document of a foreigner or stateless person.
- Immigration authorization (for categories requiring authorization).
- Documents proving the grounds for obtaining a residence permit (e.g. marriage certificate, investment document, employment contract).
Step 2: Consideration of the application
Document Verification:
- The SMS verifies the submitted documents and information, including the relevance of the grounds for obtaining a CoML.
Interview:
- In some cases, an interview may be scheduled to clarify details and circumstances.
Step 3: Decision making
Review Timeline:
- The processing of an application can take from several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the case and the category of the applicant.
Notification of Decision:
- The applicant is notified of the decision. In case of a positive decision, the applicant is issued a permanent residence permit.
Step 4: Obtaining a permanent residence permit
Release of credential:
- The applicant receives a permanent residence permit, which is the main document confirming the right to permanent residence in Ukraine.
Registration of Residence:
- After obtaining a residence permit, a foreigner is obliged to register his/her place of residence with the population registration authorities.
3. Rights and obligations of persons with permanent residence
Rights
- Right of residence:
- Persons with permanent residence permit have the right to reside permanently in Ukraine without restrictions.
- Right to employment:
- Persons with permanent residence have the right to work in Ukraine without additional permits.
- Social rights:
- Persons with a residence permit are entitled to social benefits, health care and other social
- Right to education:
- Persons with permanent residence have the right to receive education in Ukraine on an equal footing with Ukrainian citizens.
- Right to participate in local elections:
- Persons with permanent residence have the right to participate in local elections and referendums.
Responsibilities
- Compliance with the laws of Ukraine:
- Persons with permanent residence are obliged to comply with the laws of Ukraine and respect its Constitution.
- Registration of place of residence:
- Persons with permanent residence are obliged to register their place of residence in a timely manner and inform the relevant authorities about changes in their place of residence.
- Tax obligations:
- Persons with permanent residence are obliged to pay taxes and other obligatory payments in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine.
- Renewal of documents:
- Persons with a permanent residence permit are obliged to renew their documents, in particular the permanent residence permit, in a timely manner in case of changes in personal data or expiry of the document.
4. Additional resources and support
Official government bodies
- State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMS):
- Official website: dmsu.gov.ua
- Contact phone number: +380 (44) 278-50-30
- Address: 9 Volodymyrska St., Kyiv
Legal aid
Law Offices and Law Firms:
- Many law offices and law firms specialize in migration law and can provide advice and assistance in preparing documents for obtaining a residence permit.
Human Rights Organizations:
- Some human rights organizations provide free or discounted legal aid to foreigners and stateless persons.
Useful websites
- Official portal of the HMS of Ukraine:
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- dmsu.gov.ua
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ukraine:
- UNHCR in Ukraine:
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long is a permanent residence permit valid?
- Validity period:
- Permanent residence permit in Ukraine is issued for an unlimited period of time. However, the document itself (plastic card) may have a limited period of validity, usually up to 10 years, after which it must be renewed.
Can I lose my residence permit status?
- Rationale for loss:
- The permanent residence status may be lost in case of:
- Presence in Ukraine for more than 180 days per year without valid reasons.
- Serious violations of Ukrainian legislation.
- Voluntary renunciation of the permanent residence status.
- The permanent residence status may be lost in case of:
What to do in case of refusal to grant a residence permit?
- Appealing the decision:
- In case of refusal to grant a residence permit, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision in an administrative procedure or to appeal to the court.
- Consultation with a lawyer:
- It is recommended that you contact a qualified attorney for advice and preparation of an appeal or lawsuit.
- Conditions for acquiring citizenship:
- A foreigner who has a permanent residence in Ukraine may apply for citizenship provided that:
- Lawful residence in Ukraine for the last 5 years.
- Knowledge of the Ukrainian language at a basic level (confirmed by a certificate or test).
- Have legal sources of income.
- Recognition and compliance with the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.
- A foreigner who has a permanent residence in Ukraine may apply for citizenship provided that:
Can I bring my family to Ukraine after obtaining a permanent residence permit?
- Family immigration:
- Persons with permanent residence permit have the right to invite their close relatives (spouse, minor children) to reside in Ukraine. To do this, it is necessary to submit a corresponding application to the SMS and provide documents confirming the family ties.