Ukraine Work Permits and Visas

Types of work visas and permits in Ukraine

There are many advantages to hiring global employees, such as strengthening your company with a diverse range of talented individuals. However, global employment is not without risks. As an employer, you must keep track of and comply with the labor and immigration laws of each country where you have employees. Otherwise, you risk getting into legal trouble that could prove extremely costly for your business.

The first step toward ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations is securing the right work permits for your employees. Your employees residing in Ukraine should have proper Ukrainian visas and work permits to work in the country legally.

How do you know which employees need visas to work in Ukraine? Generally speaking, individuals traveling to the country for personal reasons or vacations will not require visas. Americans and citizens of several other countries can stay in Ukraine visa-free for up to 90 days. Although citizens of some nations will still have to obtain a traveling visa to enter and remain in the country, they can do so easily online without meeting too many requirements.

Things are different for people who plan to work in the country. Individuals who are not permanent residents will typically need a work permit to work or study in Ukraine. There are three types of Ukrainian visas made for these purposes:

• Transit visa (Type B)
• Short-term visa (Type C)
• Long-term visa (Type D)

Type B visa

The transit visa (Type B) allows travelers such as foreigners and stateless persons to pass through Ukraine temporarily. The government issues this visa for single entry, double entry, or multiple entries, making it valid for one year with a possibility for an extension with supporting documents. Each transit through Ukraine cannot exceed five days with this visa.

Type C visa

The short-term visa (Type C) allows foreigners or stateless persons to take trips to Ukraine that can last up to 90 days within 180 days. The government issues the Type C visa for single entry, double entry, or multiple entries. The visa is valid for six months or another period with supporting documents, with a maximum duration of five years.

Type D visa

The long-term visa (Type D) is issued to foreigners or stateless persons who intend to apply for Ukrainian temporary residence to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Each long-term visa gets issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days.

Ukraine work visa requirements

There are certain documents that all applicants for Ukrainian visas are required to submit. The ones needed for a Type C or Type D visa for employment purposes include the following:

• A passport valid within three months after the departure from Ukraine
• Printed and signed visa application form
• A photo (35mm by 45mm)
• Proof of medical and travel insurance for at least 30,000 EUR coverage
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the trip
• Receipt for visa payment
• An invitation letter from a company registered in Ukraine for a short-term Type C visa
• A certified copy of the employee’s Ukraine work permit for a long-term Type D visa
• Copy of immigration permit issued by a local office of Ukraine State Migration Service

How to apply for a Ukraine work permit

Employees need a Ukraine visa to enter the country and a Ukraine work permit to work in the country. Employees can apply for visas, whereas the employer must apply for a work permit on the employee’s behalf.

Visa application

Applicants can apply for a visa at:

• Their local Ukraine embassy or consulate abroad
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) visa divisions at Boryspil and Odessa international airports for single-entry short-term visas valid for 15 days
• One of the 74 Ukraine visa application centers abroad
• Online at the MFA website for e-Visa applications for eligible applicants

Applicants should submit their applications not earlier than three months from the planned date of the visit. The government can issue e-Visas to passport holders of 45 countries for single-entry 30-day visits to Ukraine for business, tourism, and educational purposes. Individuals can apply for e-Visas online if they live in an eligible country.

To apply for an e-Visa online, register on the website and fill in and upload the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Copies of the passport
• Photo
• Proof of health insurance policy with a 30,000 EUR coverage
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Document confirming the purpose of the trip

Applicants should register their information online, print out the application, sign it, and bring all supporting documents to the embassy or consulate office to make the visa process smoother and to save time. Once an individual uploads the documents, they must pay a fee. The fee for a single-entry e-Visa is US $20, and for a multi-entry e-Visa is US $30.

If the employee is not eligible for an e-Visa application, they can register at the mfa.gov.ua website for more information on where to submit their application.

Work permit application

Employers must apply for Ukraine work permits for their employees. Work permits are valid for between one month and three years. Applications must get submitted to the state authority along with supporting documents as outlined below:

• Completed application
• Color photo 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm
• Copy of passport translated into the Ukrainian language and notarized
• Draft of employment contract certified by the director of a Ukrainian company
• Fee payment receipt

The fees for work permit application are:

• One to six months: 8,052 UAH
• Six months to one year: 13,420 UAH
• One to two years: 21,472 UAH
• Two to three years: 26,840 UAH

Application processing time

For an e-Visa, the application processing time is up to nine working days. For all other visas, the processing time is five working days for expedited service or 10 working days if no additional checks are needed, which may take up to 30 days.

Planning to hire or work in Ukraine? Here’s how Skuad can help

Employers must obtain the necessary Ukraine work permits for their employees for work-related purposes. As an employer, you must ensure all your team members from Ukraine have the right work permits and visas to comply with local employment and immigration laws. Fortunately, you can do so with little effort with the help of the right partner.

A reliable EOR like Skuad can assist you in managing local compliance and Ukraine visa requirements. Skuad makes it easy to hire remote employees to join your globally dispersed teams by providing a Global HR Platform you can use for onboarding, payroll processing, and compliance management. We save you valuable time and effort you would otherwise waste on establishing a local legal entity and meeting the demanding Ukraine laws and regulations.

Skuad can help you hire in Ukraine by:

• Drafting legally compliant employment contracts
• Onboarding new employees locally in any of the 160 countries with legal entities
• Processes international payroll and taxes
• Ensuring your employees have Ukraine work visas
• Maintaining local compliance with tax laws, employment laws, and Ukraine immigration laws

Talk to our experts to learn more about how we can help you hire employees in Ukraine and other countries in your global expansion roadmap.

**Please note this article does not reflect on the current war between Russia and Ukraine. While it currently may be safe to hire workers from the country, you may want to postpone employee or business relocation until threats to civilian safety end.

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FAQs

How can I get a work permit in Ukraine?

Employees require a work permit and a visa to enter Ukraine and work in the country. While employees can apply for visas, employers must submit a work permit application on the employee's behalf.

You can apply for a visa at:

• Your nearest Ukraine embassy or consulate office
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) visa divisions at Boryspil and Odessa international airports for short-term visas
• Ukraine visa application centers located around the world
• Online at the MFA website for e-Visa applications for eligible applicants

How long does it take to get a work permit in Ukraine?

The processing time for an e-Visa application is up to nine working days. The processing time for all other visas is five working days for expedited service or ten working days if no additional checks are required. If the authorities request further assessments, processing could take up to 30 days.

The processing time for a work permit is 10 working days.

Can a foreigner work in Ukraine?

Foreigners are welcome to apply for a visa and work permit to live and work in Ukraine. As long as they meet the local requirements and obtain appropriate documents, foreigners can work in Ukraine.

Can an American move to Ukraine?

Yes, Americans can apply for a short-term (Type C) visa if they wish to work in Ukraine for under 90 days. If they want to visit Ukraine for over 90 days, they can apply for a long-term (Type D) visa and temporary residence. If they are eligible and meet specific requirements, they can then apply for permanent residence to relocate to Ukraine.