Permanent residence in Ukraine

How to obtain a permanent residence permit?

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Obtaining an immigration permit

An immigration permit is a decision of the state immigration authorities that gives non-residents the right to immigrate to Ukraine. It is issued both within and outside the immigration quota.

Immigration permits and permanent residence permits are issued by the departments for citizenship, immigration and registration of natural persons of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. After completing all procedures for obtaining a residence permit, the non-resident receives immigrant status.

To obtain an immigration permit, you must submit an application and attach the following documents:

• a copy of an identity document;
• a document proving place of residence;
• 3 photographs;
• information about family composition, a marriage certificate (if the person is married);
• a document confirming the absence of chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse or infectious diseases, the list of which is determined by the central executive authority responsible for health care.

The last item does not apply to one of the spouses if the other spouse is a citizen of Ukraine (when married for more than 2 years), or to persons entitled to obtain citizenship by territorial origin.

The application for an immigration permit is submitted:

• to the diplomatic or consular missions of Ukraine abroad at the place of permanent residence of the non-resident — if the person permanently resides outside Ukraine;
• to the authorities of the specially authorized central executive body on immigration at the place of residence of the foreigner or stateless person in Ukraine — if the person is staying in Ukraine on legal grounds.

If a non-resident parent immigrates together with minor children, they must provide a notarized statement from the other parent that they do not object to immigration together with the first parent. If such consent is not available, the father (mother) must provide a decision of the relevant state body on the children’s stay with him (her). It must be legalized unless otherwise provided by international treaties of Ukraine.

Procedure for deciding on an immigration permit for a foreigner

Obtaining an immigration permit goes through the following stages:

1. Personal submission of documents by the foreigner to the territorial subdivisions at the place of residence.

2. Review of documents by territorial subdivisions.

On that basis, cases are formed. The territorial subdivision verifies the authenticity of the documents, their compliance with the requirements of the law, the grounds and legality of stay in Ukraine. If necessary, the issue of issuing an immigration permit is coordinated with local self-government bodies to determine whether they have grounds for refusing to grant the permit.

Information on the results of the review is sent within one month to the territorial authorities (by categories of immigrants).

3. Review of documents by the territorial authorities.

At this stage, the correctness of their execution is checked, and it is determined whether there are grounds for refusal to grant the immigration permit. Requests are also sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, regional SBU bodies, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, and the UkrInterpol Bureau. Based on the information provided by these bodies, a decision is made to issue or refuse the immigration permit.

Information on the result of the review is sent within one month to the State Migration Service (by categories of foreigners).

4. Review of documents by the State Migration Service.

The State Migration Service also checks the correctness of the documents, examines the grounds and their compliance with reality, and determines whether there are grounds for refusal. If necessary, requests are sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the SBU, and the UkrInterpol Bureau. A request to the State Border Guard Service is sent only if the petition was submitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Based on the information received from these bodies, a decision is made to issue the immigration permit or to refuse.

After obtaining an immigration permit, you need to apply for a permanent residence permit. This document confirms the right to permanent residence in Ukraine.

If the foreigner is in Ukraine on legal grounds, the documents for obtaining PR are submitted to the State Migration Service subdivisions at the place of residence.

If the non-resident permanently resides outside Ukraine — within one year from the date of issuance of the immigration permit they must obtain a long-term visa and upon arrival in Ukraine within 5 working days contact the State Migration Service.

Reasons for cancellation of an immigration permit

An immigration permit may be revoked if the immigrant:

• provided knowingly false information, forged documents, or expired documents;
• poses a threat to national security or public order;
• has been convicted in Ukraine to imprisonment for more than one year, and the court sentence has come into force;
• violated the legislation on the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons.

A decision to cancel the permit may also be made if necessary to protect the rights and interests and to safeguard the health of Ukrainian citizens.

Who can obtain PR in Ukraine

According to migration rules, there are two groups of persons entitled to obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.

The first group consists of those who obtain PR under the immigration quota. This category includes:

• scientific and cultural figures;
• investors whose investments must amount to 100,000 USD or more;
• refugees and victims of human trafficking;
• highly skilled specialists;
• former Ukrainians, as well as their relatives: brothers, sisters, grandchildren, grandparents.

The second group includes persons not covered by the migration quota. These include:

• children of a Ukrainian citizen;
• spouse;
• parents (guardians);
• a person or several persons cared for by a Ukrainian citizen;
• persons for whom PR is granted as a matter of state importance.

If a foreigner applies for PR while on the territory of Ukraine, they are simultaneously issued an immigration permit. If the non-resident is outside Ukraine, they must first obtain an immigration permit and apply to a consulate to obtain an immigration visa.

Documents for obtaining a permanent residence permit

The full list of documents required to obtain a permanent residence permit is contained in the Procedure for Issuing Certificates of the Right to Permanent Residence in Ukraine. These include:

• foreigner’s petition for issuance of a PR certificate
• passport document with a visa and its legalized translation;
• immigration permit;
• 4 photos sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
• a document confirming payment of the state fee.

It may vary depending on the grounds for obtaining permanent residence.

Changes in legislation

Since January 2018, new rules concerning the procedure for obtaining PR by foreign citizens have been in effect in Ukraine. The changes introduced into the legislation provide for:

• the introduction of a new form of templates for documents confirming the right to temporary or permanent residence in the state;
• the need to reissue the issued document after 10 years;
• inclusion of information about immigrant children in separate certificates which are issued to all without exception, regardless of the child’s age.

Procedure for obtaining a permanent residence permit

To obtain PR in Ukraine, the non-resident must:

• Legally be present in the territory of the state. An advantage would be a valid visa of category «D»
• Have or obtain during the procedure an immigration permit, which may be issued either in Ukraine (simultaneously with the PR), or in another country upon direct application by the foreign national to a Ukrainian consulate.
• Prepare the necessary set of documents required when submitting an application to the migration service authorities.
• Complete the registration procedure at the place of residence within the time limits established by law.

The procedure for issuing a permanent residence permit includes:

From what age can one obtain a permanent residence permit?

Since 2018, residence permits are issued regardless of age. If previously the information about non-resident children was entered into the parents’ document, now they receive their own document.

Reasons for refusal to grant PR

The State Migration Service may refuse to issue PR if the non-resident:

• submitted forged identity documents or provided false information about themselves;
• poses a danger to the country’s security;
• violated the laws of Ukraine;
• violated a decision of state authorities or a court.

Our services

It is not always possible to obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine on your own the first time. Due to lack of knowledge of migration law, mistakes may be made. The competent staff of our company provide a range of services, including:

• preliminary consultation on any issues regarding legalization of your stay in Ukraine;
• competent drafting of the petition in the legally prescribed form;
• translation and notarization of passport data;
• representation of interests in government bodies in Kyiv.

Timelines and service costs

Obtaining PR takes on average about 10 days. In each case, the time depends on the available documents, as well as the justified urgency of issuing PR.

Cost of our services:

• consultation regarding the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit in Ukraine
• provision of information about required documents, the list of which is determined individually
• preparation of documentation by company specialists, followed by accompaniment of the applicant in the migration service authorities