Permanent Residence in Ukraine

Ukraine Permanent Residence opens the door to a world of opportunities in this culturally rich and diverse nation. Embrace the warmth of Ukrainian hospitality while enjoying the benefits of long-term residency in this vibrant and picturesque country.

To obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, you can choose from several options depending on your situation. One primary pathway is to apply for permanent residence based on marriage to a Ukrainian citizen. This involves registering your marriage and submitting the appropriate request to the Migration Service. Other possible routes include obtaining residence permits through investments, employment, or recognition as a refugee.

To apply for a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, the following documents are required:

1. Valid foreign passport or passport documents in the case of multiple citizenship or statelessness, with a type D visa if not otherwise specified by Ukrainian legislation and international agreements.
2. Document confirming the identity of the legal representative and a document verifying the representative's authority if submitted by a legal representative (originals are returned after verification, and copies are attached).
3. Translation of the pages of the foreign passport or stateless person's document with personal data into Ukrainian, certified in accordance with the established procedure.
4. Document confirming the payment of the administrative fee (original), or a document exempting from payment (original returned after verification, and a copy is attached).
5. Copy of the decision to grant immigration permission or, according to the category of foreigners and stateless persons:

• a) For individuals who arrived in Ukraine for permanent residence before the entry into force of the Law of Ukraine "On Immigration" and have a USSR 1974-style passport with a registration mark or a residence permit, the original and a copy of the USSR 1974-style passport with a registration mark or a residence permit.
• b) For individuals forced to leave their permanent residence in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, and arrived in Ukraine, as well as their adult children who arrived in Ukraine with them before reaching adulthood, a temporary certificate (or a certificate confirming the arrival of a minor with parents), obtained after arriving in Ukraine, and a document confirming continuous residence in Ukraine for at least five years, issued by the territorial authorities of the State Migration Service (DMS).
• c) For individuals who arrived in Ukraine as orphans due to armed conflicts in their places of permanent residence and were raised in state childcare institutions or family-type children's homes or are under the guardianship or custody of Ukrainian citizens, a document confirming upbringing in a state childcare institution or family-type children's home or the establishment of guardianship or custody.

The application form should include information that the person lived permanently in Ukraine based on an immigration permit, and a copy of the mentioned certificate is attached, certified by an authorized DMS employee with the annotation "In accordance with the original" and a signature with the indication of the position, last name, initials, and date.

Additionally, a document confirming registration in the State Register of Individuals - Taxpayers with data on the taxpayer identification number (if available) may be required.

A permanent residency in Ukraine for IT professionals brings several benefits for their personal and professional growth:

1. Extended Duration: The permanent residency status is granted for 10 years, allowing individuals to live and work freely in Ukraine. This also extends to family members, offering a stable and long-term solution.
2. Employment Freedom: Holders of permanent residency enjoy the flexibility to seek employment in Ukraine under the same conditions as Ukrainian citizens. This privilege is not tied to a specific job, providing freedom in selecting and changing employment.
3. International Travel: Individuals with permanent residency in Ukraine have the ability to obtain visas for travel to other countries while remaining in Ukraine.

Regarding eligibility for permanent residency, specific occupations in the IT sector are included, such as:

• Information Security/System Quality Managers: Individuals in managerial roles related to information security or systems quality.
• Technical Managers and Technical Directors: Those in leadership positions with a technical focus.
• IT Specialists: This category encompasses professionals in information security, programming, and other IT-related roles.

While requirements may vary for each position, general criteria often include:

• Qualification: Applicants typically need a minimum of 3 years of work experience in the relevant field or position.
• Income Verification: Applicants are required to meet certain income criteria, such as a confirmed income equivalent to $24,000 or more for the previous year, a certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a relevant field, or a higher education degree in a technical discipline.

Ukraine offers various pathways for foreign nationals, including Indians, to obtain permanent residence. One common option is through the investment route, where individuals can invest in the Ukrainian economy. Additionally, there are provisions for obtaining permanent residence based on employment, family reunification, or special categories such as retirees.

To initiate the process, individuals typically need to submit the required documentation, undergo background checks, and fulfill specific criteria set by Ukrainian immigration authorities.

The process of making foreign investments in Ukraine for the purpose of obtaining permanent residency involves several key steps and requirements. One common approach is to establish a company in Ukraine or participate in the statutory capital of an existing enterprise. However, certain mandatory criteria must be met for the investment:

1. The investment must be made in foreign convertible currency (such as US dollars or euros).
2. The investment should be equivalent to a minimum of one hundred thousand US dollars.
3. The investment must be registered in accordance with the established legislation.
4. The investment should contribute to Ukraine's economy, intending to engage in economic activities, generate profits, or achieve other social benefits.

For individuals desiring to immigrate to Ukraine, the acquisition of real estate alone does not grant the right to permanent residency, even if the property's value exceeds one hundred thousand dollars. Real estate purchase for personal use is not considered an investment and will not be registered by the Ministry of Economic Development of Ukraine.

A preferable method for making foreign investments is to establish a company in Ukraine, irrespective of its specialization, and contribute one hundred thousand US dollars in foreign currency to its statutory capital from your personal account to minimize risks associated with currency fluctuations.

If the primary goal is to engage in business activities in Ukraine, choosing a promising economic sector and developing your business could be a viable option. The invested capital allows for effective resource mobilization, leading to profits with minimal founder involvement.

For those making investments with the aim of obtaining permanent residency, funds can be utilized for various purposes, including real estate acquisition, after receiving the residence permit. It's important to consider the risk of currency devaluation, as funds converted to local currency may be subject to fluctuations. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase real estate promptly, preferably from developers who transact in local currency.

Investment with Real Estate Acquisition:

1. Registering a company in Ukraine, preferably in the form of a Limited Liability Company, engaging in real estate transactions or other economic activities at your discretion.
2. Obtaining temporary residence permits, with the option of securing work permits for company directors for temporary residency.
3. Contributing statutory capital equivalent to one hundred thousand US dollars in foreign currency from your personal account for real estate acquisition.
4. Registering the foreign investment with the Ministry of Economic Development, a process taking approximately two weeks, involving tax inspection and registration with the territorial authority of the Ministry of Economic Development.
5. Preparing and submitting all necessary documents for immigration permission, including the investment registration notice and other documents related to criminal records, place of residence, medical examinations, etc.
6. Obtaining immigration permission, a process lasting up to six months.
7. Liquidating the company and repatriating assets. The company liquidation process takes approximately 2-3 months, but liquidation cannot occur before obtaining immigration permission. Upon liquidation, the acquired real estate is returned to the owner.

Tax Expenses During Company Operation:

1. Corporate income tax if applicable.
2. Property tax based on the area of the property, ranging from 1% to 2.7% of the minimum wage for each additional square meter exceeding 60 sq.m.
3. Personal income tax and unified social contribution on the director's salary.

Tax Expenses During Company Liquidation and Asset Transfer:

1. Personal income tax for the company owner, which is not applicable if the value of the returned property is less than the owner's contribution to the company's statutory capital.
2. Corporate income tax for the company, which is not applicable if the value of the transferred assets is not higher than the share's worth.

The cost associated with obtaining permanent residency in Ukraine includes a government fee of 85 UAH, as stipulated by Article 3, Section 6 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Decree on State Fees. Additionally, there is an administrative service fee amounting to 496 UAH. Furthermore, the issuance of the permanent residency card with a contactless electronic medium incurs an additional cost of 432 UAH.

Since October 2023, a new basis for immigration has been added to the law in Ukraine, allowing individuals to apply for permanent residence after continuous legal residence on a temporary residence permit (VNZh) for five or more years. To qualify for this, foreigners need to adhere to the following requirements:

1. Obtain a temporary residence permit through any eligible grounds.
2. Extend the validity of the document (exchange the residence permit upon expiration or for other reasons) for the last five years. This includes exchanging the permit not only due to expiration but also in cases of changing surname, first name, patronymic, and other relevant data.
3. Avoid staying outside of Ukraine for a period exceeding 90 days at once or cumulatively within a 180-day period during these five years.