Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine
A permanent residence permit in Ukraine confirms the right of a foreign national or a stateless person to live in Ukraine on a permanent basis. Unlike a temporary residence permit, it does not require annual renewal. The biometric card is issued for 10 years; after expiry it is replaced, but the permanent residence status itself does not expire.
Important: this procedure has two stages. First, you obtain an immigration permit from the State Migration Service. Only after that you apply for the permanent residence card. Most delays and refusals happen at the first stage because the ground is chosen incorrectly or the documents are prepared in the wrong form.
Yurincom has handled immigration matters since 1992. We help you choose the correct legal ground, prepare the documents (including translations, apostille or legalisation if required) and support the submission until you receive the card.
What you get
- The right to live permanently in Ukraine on a legal basis
- A biometric residence card valid for 10 years
- No requirement to renew your permit annually
- The right to work in Ukraine without a separate work permit
- No obligation to leave Ukraine every 90 days
Common legal grounds
Below are the grounds we work with most often. Ukrainian law provides other grounds as well. If you are unsure which one applies to you, we can review your situation and point to the correct option.
- Marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, if the marriage has been registered for more than 2 years
- Children and parents of Ukrainian citizens
- Right to citizenship by territorial origin
- Foreign investment in the Ukrainian economy, of at least USD 100,000
- Other grounds directly provided for by law
Special grounds
We also handle cases under special grounds, including foreign nationals who have served or are serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, and certain family cases connected to the death of a servicemember. In these categories, it is especially important to identify the correct ground and prepare the evidence properly.
Two stages of the process
Obtaining a permanent residence permit involves two separate administrative stages. They cannot be combined or reversed.
Stage 1: Immigration permit
At this stage, the State Migration Service checks whether you have a valid legal ground for immigration to Ukraine. The submission package usually includes personal documents, documents supporting your ground, translations, apostilles or legalisation and other supporting evidence. The authority may also review circumstances that could lead to a refusal.
Under Ukrainian law, the standard review period for an application submitted in Ukraine is up to 6 months.
Stage 2: Permanent residence card
After you receive the immigration permit, you have one year to submit documents for the residence card itself. This deadline should not be missed.
In some situations, a D-type visa may be needed before applying for the card if you left Ukraine during the process and no longer have a valid basis to stay. We advise on this as part of the case.
Processing of the residence card after submission takes 15 working days.
Fees and timeline
| Ground | Base legal fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage, children, parents, territorial origin | from UAH 7,000 | Most standard personal and family cases |
| Investment of USD 100,000 or more | from UAH 12,000 | Requires review of investment documents and transaction structure |
| Complex or non-standard grounds | from UAH 12,000 | The final fee depends on the volume of documents, risks and the amount of work |
The base fee does not include translations, notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation of foreign documents, as well as administrative fees paid to the state.
Common refusal risks
Some situations require a separate risk check before submission. Typical examples:
- incorrectly chosen legal ground or missing supporting documents;
- foreign documents without the required apostille or legalisation;
- previous immigration violations, entry bans or forced return orders;
- other factors that may trigger additional questions from the authorities.
Before submission, we review the risks so you understand what can be fixed in advance and what cannot.
How we work
- We confirm your legal ground and explain the steps.
- We prepare a document list for your situation, not a generic template.
- We review foreign documents, translations, apostilles and legalisation requirements before submission.
- We prepare the submission package and support both stages of the procedure.
- We prepare you for interviews or additional questions where your ground requires it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an immigration permit and a permanent residence card?
The immigration permit is the first stage: a decision by the State Migration Service confirming your right to immigrate to Ukraine. The permanent residence card is issued after that decision. In most cases, the card cannot be obtained without the permit.
How long is the residence card valid?
The biometric permanent residence card is issued for 10 years. After expiry, the card is replaced. You do not repeat the full procedure from the beginning.
What happens if my lawful stay expires while I am waiting for the immigration permit?
Filing an application for an immigration permit does not automatically extend your right to stay in Ukraine. If your lawful stay period may expire during the review, you need to plan your status in advance. We explain the practical options for your situation before submission.
Can I stay in Ukraine while my application is being reviewed?
Yes, as long as your current status remains valid. If you hold a temporary residence permit, it usually covers your stay during the review. If you are in Ukraine on a visa or under visa-free entry, the stay duration must be managed separately.
Do I need to give up my foreign citizenship to obtain permanent residence?
No. Permanent residence is not Ukrainian citizenship and does not require you to renounce your existing citizenship.
Is a criminal record certificate always required?
No. The requirement depends on the ground. For some categories the document package is simpler; for others a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate may be required. We confirm this before submission.
Can my spouse or children obtain permanent residence automatically together with me?
No. Each family member's eligibility is assessed separately. In some cases, the family connection may also be a ground for them, but there is no automatic joint issuance.
Does permanent residence affect tax residency in Ukraine?
Permanent residence gives you the right to live in Ukraine. Tax residency is determined separately, based on factors such as days of presence (more than 183 days per year), the centre of vital interests and other criteria. If this matters for you, we can explain it separately.
Will I lose the permit if I spend a long period outside Ukraine?
Extended absence from Ukraine is not, by itself, an automatic ground for cancellation. Cancellation is assessed on specific legal grounds.
Can I get an exact document list without a consultation?
We can provide a general outline. The exact list depends on the ground, the country where documents were issued, family situation and the translation/apostille/legalisation requirements. We clarify the details first and then provide a working checklist.
Related services
- Temporary residence permit in Ukraine if you do not yet qualify for permanent residence
- Immigration law: all services
- Business immigration to Ukraine
- Ukrainian citizenship