Work permit for foreigners, employment of expats / non-residents in Ukraine

ANY REGION OF UKRAINE

Cost of service
Registration / obtaining a work permit (employment) expat / foreigner - 3500 UAH.

Renewal of work permit (employment) expat / foreigner - 3000 UAH.

Making changes to the work permit (change of passport data, surname, job title, etc.) - 2500 UAH. 

Permit validity period - from 6 months to 36 months.

Term of registration ( prolongation) of expat / foreigner work permit in Ukraine 5-7 days

Categories of expats / foreigners who do not need to obtain a work permit >>>>>>>.

We provide a full range of services from registration of a company in Ukraine to obtaining a work permit and subsequently obtaining a residence permit (legalization of foreigners in Ukraine).

The procedure for obtaining work permits for foreigners includes:
1. Registration of the company (enterprise, LLC) in Ukraine Details here >>>>>>.
2. Obtaining a work permit (valid for up to 2 years).
3. Obtaining a visa D (citizens of CIS countries and Georgia do not need a visa "D") and entering Ukraine.
4. Obtaining a temporary residence permit. More details here >>>>>.
5. Registration at the place of residence (Propiska).

Documents required for the issuance or renewal of a work permit:
1. information about the employer (Full name, ZKPO Code). 
2. Photograph 3.5 X 4.5 1 pcs. in color
3. Copy of the passport of a foreign citizen.

 The list of legal services for obtaining/renewing a work permit includes:

1. Legal consultations on the procedure of obtaining a work permit for foreign citizens in Ukraine.
2. legal expertise of documents that must be submitted for the issuance of a work permit for foreigners.
3. Preparation of the necessary package of documents for submission to the State Employment Service;
4. Preparation of an application for obtaining (extension) of a work permit.
5. Representation of the employer's interests in obtaining a work permit in Ukraine in the State Employment Service.
6. Development of a draft labor contract with a foreigner.
7. Obtaining a permit in the State Employment Service.

Additionally paid ( at will ) from January 1, 2025:

Official fee for issuance of work permit for expat / foreigner in Ukraine for up to 6 months - 9084 
Official fee for issuance of work permit for an expat / foreigner in Ukraine from 6 months to 1 year - 15140
Official fee for issuance of a work permit for an expat/foreigner in Ukraine from 1 to 2 years - 24224
Official fee for issuance of work permit for expat / foreigner in Ukraine from 2 years to 3 years - 30280
Passport translation + notarization - 800

Main provisions of Ukrainian legislation on employment of foreigners in Ukraine:
1. All foreign citizens (stateless persons) are obliged to obtain a work permit before employment (Exception only for the following categories of foreigners >>>>>).
2. Work permits are obtained by employers (legal entities LLC, JSC, PE, entrepreneurs SPD FOP).
3. In most cases, a work permit is issued for a period not exceeding 2 years. Exception: seconded employees, intracorporate assignees, for whom it is possible to obtain/extend a work permit for up to 3 years.
4: Foreigners may be employed by one or more employers, subject to obtaining a work permit for each position. Exception: a foreigner who has a work permit may temporarily, for a maximum of 60 days, replace an absent employee.
5. One of the main conditions for the issuance of a work permit is that the foreigner must be paid a certain salary, not less than the minimum wage. From January 01, 2024 - 7100UAH.
In case of non-payment of wages for more than 2 consecutive months, the work permit is canceled. For foreigners who do not have an employer we offer a service (Legal work for foreigners through an outstaffing company>>>>>>>>>).
6. The State Employment Center has the right to cancel work permits in case of revealing the fact of non-payment of wages for more than 2 consecutive months.
7. The state employment office has the right to cancel the work permit in case of establishing the fact of using labor under other conditions than specified in the work permit (including part-time work without obtaining a new work permit, payment of wages in a smaller amount than declared when obtaining a work permit).
8. A temporary residence permit obtained on any grounds (including marriage to a citizen of Ukraine, study in Ukraine, etc.) does not entitle you to employment without a work permit.
9. Students who are studying in Ukrainian universities have the right to obtain a work permit, provided that they started working not less than 30 days before the end of their studies in a higher education institution.

Employment without a work permit is carried out for:
1) foreigners who permanently reside in Ukraine (have a permanent and indefinite residence permit);
2) foreigners who have been granted refugee status in accordance with Ukrainian legislation or have received permission to immigrate to Ukraine;
3) foreigners who have been recognized as persons requiring subsidiary protection or who have been granted temporary protection in Ukraine;
4) representatives of foreign maritime (river) fleet and airlines servicing such companies on the territory of Ukraine;
5) employees of foreign mass media accredited to work in Ukraine;
6) athletes who have obtained professional status, artists and workers of art to work in Ukraine in their specialty;
7) employees of emergency rescue services to perform urgent work;
8) employees of foreign representative offices registered in Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by law;
9) clergymen who are foreigners and temporarily stay in Ukraine at the invitation of religious organizations to carry out canonical activity only in such organizations with official approval of the Department of Religious and Nationalities Affairs;
10) foreigners who came to Ukraine to participate in the realization of international technical assistance projects;
11) foreigners who came to Ukraine to conduct teaching and / or scientific activities in higher educational institutions upon their invitation;


Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Is a work permit a basis for obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine?
Answer: A work permit is one of the few and easiest grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Ukraine. Learn more about obtaining a temporary residence permit in Ukraine >>>>>>. 

Question: What is the easiest way to get a work permit?
Answer: The easiest way to obtain a work permit is to obtain a work permit for a foreigner who is at the same time a founder ( shareholder ) of this company. Besides, we can hire any foreigner and officially pay him a salary. At the same time, such a foreigner will have to compensate us taxes from the minimum salary and pay us monthly services for accounting support. Read more about the service Legal work for foreigners through an outstaffing company>>>>>>>>.

Question: If I get a work permit in Ukraine, can I work in any organization?
Answer: No. A work permit is issued for a specific position in a specific enterprise (LLC, JSC). You will not be able to work in any other position and/or in any other enterprise until you receive a new work permit in Ukraine. For example: if we obtain a work permit for you to work at Coca Cola as a programmer, you will not be able to work at McDonald's as a programmer. You must obtain a new work permit to work at McDonald's.
At the same time, you can get an unlimited number of work permits: for different positions and in different LLC companies.

Question: Can a foreigner open (register) a new LLC company, being both a founder (participant) and director in it, and after registration get a work permit?
Answer: No. You should open (register) a new enterprise (LLC) and before registration appoint a citizen of Ukraine as a director. After registration you can apply for a work permit for the founder to work as a director or his deputy. After obtaining a work permit it is necessary to make changes in the state register on the appointment of a new director>>>>>>.

Question: If I get a work permit, will I be able to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days?
Answer: No. In order for you to have the right to stay on the territory of Ukraine for more than 90 days you should obtain a temporary residence permit. Our company provides this service. See here >>>>>.

Question: I received a work permit, now the company where I work must pay me the minimum wage, If I will be paid officially less or no wages at all, how will I be threatened?
Answer: The State Employment Center regularly receives information about the payment of wages to foreign employees, accordingly, if your employer does not pay your wages for more than 2 consecutive months from the date of the employment contract, your work permit will be canceled. Such revocation may result in such a foreigner being denied a new work permit in the future.