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The law firm "Zigma" provides legal and advocacy services for national and foreign business entities in need of obtaining a work permit in Ukraine, as well as for individuals requiring assistance with work permit applications.
Foreign nationals who have arrived in Ukraine for an extended stay and wish to work officially must first obtain a work permit.
In other words, a work permit for foreigners in Ukraine is a document that grants foreign citizens the right to work legally in the country. It also serves as a basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit. The absence of such a document may result in administrative liability for the employer (in the form of a fine).
Legalization based on a work permit in Ukraine
Despite stricter legislation and new penalty sanctions, the number of foreigners working in Ukraine without the required permit remains significantly high compared to officially employed immigrants.
A work permit in Ukraine is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a temporary residence permit. While it is true that a temporary residence permit can be obtained based on a work permit, the process involves the following steps:
- First, the individual must obtain a work permit in Ukraine.
- Once obtained, they can apply for a temporary residence permit.
The duration of a foreigner’s stay in Ukraine directly depends on the validity of their work permit. If the work permit expires, the residence permit will also become invalid. However, the work permit can be renewed annually, allowing the individual to stay and work legally in Ukraine for another year.
Recent legislative changes have enabled both individual entrepreneurs and legal entities to obtain work permits.
Categories of work permits
Additionally, work permits are now categorized. Employers must obtain permits for specific groups of individuals unless otherwise stipulated by international treaties ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. These categories include:
- Seconded foreign workers
- Intra-corporate transferees
- Foreigners and stateless persons undergoing procedures for refugee status or additional protection
There are also special categories of foreigners and stateless persons who are eligible for a work permit in Ukraine, including:
- highly paid foreign specialists;
- founders, participants, and/or beneficiaries (controllers) of legal entities registered in Ukraine;
- graduates of universities ranked among the world’s top 100, as per the list determined by the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers;
- foreign creative professionals;
- foreign IT professionals.
Who does not need a work permit?
A work permit is not required for foreigners who:
- hold a permanent residence permit in Ukraine;
- work in foreign maritime, aviation, or media structures;
- are professional athletes, artists, or performers;
- work in emergency rescue services;
- are employed by religious organizations;
- participate in international technical assistance projects;
- work in state universities;
- are employees of foreign company representations (they only need a service card).
How to obtain a work permit in Ukraine?
Previously, employers had to register a job vacancy with the territorial employment center (by submitting Form 3-PN) and keep it open for 15 calendar days before applying for a work permit. However, this requirement has been abolished.
Once a work permit is obtained, the employer has three months to sign an employment contract with the foreign employee and 10 days to submit a copy to the Employment Center.
Processing time for work permit issuance or renewal
- 7 working days – for issuing a new work permit;
- 3 working days – for extending or amending an existing permit.
The validity period of a work permit under the new regulations can be:
- up to 6 months;
- from 6 months to 1 year;
- from 1 to 3 years (for special categories).
What to do after receiving a work permit?
Once a foreigner obtains a work permit, they must leave Ukraine and apply for a D visa at a Ukrainian embassy abroad. After obtaining the D visa, the foreigner returns to Ukraine and applies for a temporary residence permit.
The D visa is a crucial step for obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP).
Required documents
Recent changes in labor laws have also affected the list of required documents for employment. The current list includes:
- application form;
- one photo;
- notarized translation of the passport into Ukrainian;
- employer’s documents (copy of the draft employment contract).
Work permits for Ukrainian citizens
According to international employment standards, Ukrainian citizens must obtain a work permit to work legally in most countries.
A work permit for a foreigner in Ukraine must be obtained in the country where employment is being offered. The experts at Zigma can advise on which documents need to be submitted from the applicant’s home country and how to obtain them.
In addition to consulting services, Zigma's legal specialists can efficiently handle the entire application process, saving clients time and effort.
Legal services provided by Zigma
By choosing Zigma, you will receive the following legal support:
- up-to-date legal information;
- consultations on obtaining the necessary document, including answers to questions like:
- "Who issues a work permit?"
- "What are the processing times?"
- "What documents are required?"
- preparation of necessary documents in the approved format and their submission to the employment center (we provide a certificate of no criminal record free of charge);
- assistance with obtaining a temporary residence permit.
For more details on obtaining a work permit in Ukraine, contact Zigma today!