How to get a residence permit in Ukraine during the war?

Under martial law, many foreigners and stateless persons apply for a residence permit in Ukraine. This document allows you to officially stay in the country, work, study or volunteer. Let’s take a closer look at the grounds for obtaining a residence permit, how to apply for it, and what peculiarities apply during the war.

What is a residence permit?

A temporary residence permit (TRP) is a document that certifies the identity of a foreigner or stateless person and gives the right to legally stay in Ukraine for a specified period of time.

The war has made certain adjustments to the procedure for obtaining a residence permit, but the basic requirements remain the same: you must have grounds for obtaining a residence permit and submit the relevant package of documents to the State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMS).

Who can get a temporary residence permit?

The list of grounds for obtaining a residence permit is quite extensive. The main ones are:

• Employment in Ukraine (on the basis of a work permit).
• Studying at a higher education institution.
• Marriage to a Ukrainian citizen or family reunification.
• Participation in the implementation of international projects.
• Registering a business or investing in a Ukrainian company.
• Volunteering or working with humanitarian organizations.
• Providing instructional assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations (issued for 3 years).

A residence permit can also be issued to stateless persons and foreigners who have been granted refugee status or complementary protection.

Where to apply for a residence permit?

You can submit documents to:

• The State Migration Service (SMS) of Ukraine at the place of residence.
• Administrative service center (ASC).
• Passport service or other official institutions.

IMPORTANT! When submitting documents, you must indicate the address of your actual residence, as the SMS may verify the accuracy of the data provided.

What documents are required to apply for a residence permit?

• Passport or other identity document.
• A copy of the page with the type D visa (if required).
• A document confirming the grounds for obtaining a residence permit (employment contract, marriage certificate, university certificate, etc.).
• Medical insurance policy.
• Receipt of payment of the administrative fee.
• Two 3.5×4.5 cm photographs.

How long does it take to process?

As a rule, a temporary residence permit is issued within 15 working days after submitting an application.

What to do after obtaining a residence permit?

You must register your place of residence within 30 days. To do this, you should contact the ASC or through the Diia portal.

If you change your place of residence or personal data, you need to update the information in the SMS.

In what cases can a residence permit be refused?

• Providing false or forged documents.
• Identification of a threat to the national security of Ukraine.
• Lack of grounds for obtaining a residence permit.
• Debts or failure to comply with a court decision.
• Forgery of a passport document or inconsistency with its sample.

What to do if the residence permit expires?

If your residence permit expires, you need to:

• Submit documents for residence permit extension (you can do this an unlimited number of times).
• If you do not plan to extend your residence permit, surrender it and deregister your place of residence.
• During the period of martial law, all residence permits remain valid until the end of martial law + 1 month after its termination.

A temporary residence permit is an important document for foreigners who plan to stay in Ukraine legally. The procedure is not complicated, but it requires compliance with certain requirements.

If you have any questions or difficulties with the submission of documents, we recommend that you contact our lawyers for advice.