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Ukraine

Capital Kyiv
Currency UAH
Languages Ukrainian
Official fee from 1,140 UAH

Ukraine is NOT an EU member state — it is an EU candidate (since June 2022, accession negotiations opened in 2024) but has not transposed EU immigration directives. It issues NO EU Blue Card, NO EU long-term-resident status, and NO statutory digital nomad visa. Martial law (in force since 24 Feb 2022) frequently changes entry/exit/processing rules. The system has four tiers: Type D long-term entry visa -> Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) -> Immigration Permit + Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) -> Citizenship. International protection (asylum) is a separate parallel track. Currency is the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH); the 2025 subsistence minimum used to set work-permit fees is UAH 3,028.

Immigration Pathways

(9) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days ago
9 of 9 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 5 to permanent residence, 9 to citizenship.
9 of 9 pathways are backed by official government sources.
Work / Employment Medium confidence

Work Permit + Temporary Residence Permit (Employment)

An employer obtains a Work Permit tied to one employer/role from the State Employment Service, after which the foreigner gets a Type D visa and a TRP for the contract term.

Processing time
Work permit: 7 working days (new). TRP: 15 working days from submission.
Validity
TRP valid for the term of the work permit/contract; renewable.
Language requirement
None for the work permit or TRP.
Documents
6 required
Permanent residence
Yes · Permanent residence requires a separate Immigration Permit; continuous legal residence supports later naturalization.
Citizenship
Yes · Naturalization after 5 years of continuous legal residence (holding an Immigration Permit).
Work / Employment Medium confidence

Military Service TRP (Foreigners in the Armed Forces)

Foreigners contracted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine receive a TRP for the contract term plus 6 months (wartime measure), and may naturalize after just 1 year of service under martial law.

Processing time
TRP: 15 working days from submission.
Validity
TRP valid for the contract term + 6 months.
Language requirement
None for the TRP.
Documents
2 required
Citizenship
Yes · Naturalization possible after 1 year of Armed Forces service under martial law.
Study / Student High confidence

Student Type D Visa + Temporary Residence Permit (Study)

Foreign students obtain an Invitation to Study from a licensed institution, then a Type D student visa, then a TRP valid for the duration of studies.

Processing time
Visa: up to 10 working days. TRP: 15 working days.
Validity
TRP valid for the duration of studies; renewable.
Language requirement
Depends on the program (Ukrainian or English-medium); no separate state language test for the permit.
Documents
6 required
Citizenship
Yes · Study time supports continuous residence toward the standard 5-year naturalization requirement (requires Immigration Permit).
Company Formation Medium confidence

Company Formation by a Foreigner (LLC) — basis for Investor TRP

A foreigner can register a Ukrainian LLC (obtain RNOKPP tax number, appoint director, register in the Unified State Register) and make a qualifying investment to access the investor TRP and PR route. Note: e-Residency/uResidency grants NO residence rights and intake is currently suspended.

Processing time
Company registration: typically same-day to a few days. Investor TRP: 15 working days.
Validity
Investor TRP valid up to 2 years.
Language requirement
None.
Documents
2 required
Permanent residence
Yes · Investment of at least USD 100,000 opens the investor Immigration Permit -> PRP route.
Citizenship
Yes · Naturalization after 5 years of continuous legal residence (holding an Immigration Permit).
Investor / Golden Visa Medium confidence

Foreign Investor Temporary Residence Permit

A foreigner who is founder/UBO of a Ukrainian company with qualifying foreign investment (commonly cited threshold USD 100,000) can obtain a TRP valid up to 2 years; the same investment opens an investor route to permanent residence.

Processing time
TRP: 15 working days from submission.
Validity
TRP valid up to 2 years; renewable.
Language requirement
None for the TRP.
Documents
6 required
Permanent residence
Yes · Investment of at least USD 100,000 opens the investor category for the Immigration Permit -> PRP route.
Citizenship
Yes · Naturalization after 5 years of continuous legal residence (holding an Immigration Permit).
Family Reunification Medium confidence

Family Reunification Temporary Residence Permit

Spouses of Ukrainian citizens and family members of TRP/PRP holders can obtain a TRP valid 1 year (renewable), adding legalized + translated marriage/birth certificates.

Processing time
TRP: 15 working days from submission.
Validity
TRP valid 1 year; renewable.
Language requirement
None for the TRP.
Documents
5 required
Permanent residence
Yes · Family members of citizens can also qualify for the Immigration Permit (outside-quota categories).
Citizenship
Yes · Reduced 2-year residence requirement for naturalization if married to a Ukrainian citizen.
Permanent Residence High confidence

Immigration Permit -> Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)

The Immigration Permit (Law On Immigration No. 2491-III) is the prerequisite for the Permanent Residence Permit, a 10-year biometric card, indefinitely renewable. Quota and outside-quota categories apply.

Processing time
Immigration-permit review: up to 1 year. Permit valid 1 year; PRP must be obtained within that period.
Validity
PRP is a 10-year biometric card, indefinitely renewable.
Language requirement
None for the Immigration Permit / PRP.
Documents
7 required
Permanent residence
Yes · This is the permanent residence route itself.
Citizenship
Yes · Holding the Immigration Permit plus 5 years of continuous legal residence enables naturalization.
Citizenship / Naturalization Medium confidence

Citizenship by Naturalization (Admission)

Naturalization under Law No. 2235-III requires 5 years' continuous legal residence (reduced for spouses, refugees, and military), an Immigration Permit, three exams (Constitution, History, State Language), lawful income, and a renunciation declaration/pledge. Final admission is by Presidential decree.

Processing time
Often 12-18 months and frequently longer; culminates in a Presidential decree.
Validity
Permanent (Ukrainian citizenship).
Language requirement
Ukrainian state language exam mandatory (level set by the National Commission on State Language Standards); exemptions for certain disabilities.
Documents
7 required
Citizenship
Yes · 5 years standard; 2 years (spouse/refugee status); 3 years (refugees); 1 year (Armed Forces under martial law).
Asylum / Humanitarian High confidence

International Protection (Asylum) — Refugee / Subsidiary / Temporary Protection

A separate parallel track under Law No. 3671-VI and the 1951 Refugee Convention. DMSU decides Refugee, Subsidiary, and Temporary protection statuses. Strict application deadlines apply; no fees. Recognized refugees may naturalize after 3 years.

Processing time
Preliminary review 15 working days; full consideration 2 months (extendable up to 3 further months); certificate within 15 working days of decision.
Validity
Refugees receive a 5-year certificate.
Language requirement
None; free interpreter provided if you do not speak Ukrainian/Russian.
Citizenship
Yes · Recognized refugees / subsidiary-protection holders may naturalize after 3 years of residence.
Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.
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