O

Obtaining a work permit for a foreigner in Ukraine

Work permit for a foreigner in Ukraine is a mandatory condition for the lawful employment of foreign citizens by Ukrainian companies and individual entrepreneurs (FOPs) that scale IT businesses, launch a startup, or bring investments to the Ukrainian market.
 
In accordance with Article 42 of the Law of Ukraine «On Employment of the Population», the employer is obliged to obtain such a permit before the actual commencement of work by a foreigner.
 
A work permit for a foreigner is the basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit in connection with employment, as well as for legalization in Ukraine.
 
What is included in the services:
  1. Preparation of a complete package of documents. Our lawyers prepare a package of documents for obtaining a work permit in accordance with the current requirements of the legislation, in particular:
  • translation of the foreign citizen’s passport;
  • development of a draft employment contract or gig contract;
  • completion of the application in the form approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;
  • preparation of a power of attorney from the employer;
  • organization of a foreigner’s photo of the required sample;
  • support of payment of the state fee for issuance of the permit.​
  1. Legal support at the Labour Center. We independently:
  • submit documents to the Labour Center;
  • control the deadlines and status of consideration;
  • promptly respond to possible requests of the state authority.
  1. Consultation and legal analysis. If necessary, the lawyer:
  • explains the algorithm, deadlines, and cost of obtaining the permit;
  • selects the correct position for the foreigner in accordance with the Classifier of Professions;
  • analyzes risks and requirements specifically for your category of employee.
  1. Further legal support in Ukraine. After obtaining the permit, we assist to:
  • obtain a D-04 visa;
  • obtain a temporary residence permit;
  • register the place of residence in Ukraine;
  • conclude an employment contract and submit it to the Labour Center;
  • arrange payment of taxes and salary payments to the foreigner.
Required documents
Main package:
  • copy of the foreigner’s passport;
  • color photo;
  • EDRPOU code of the company or tax number of the individual entrepreneur (FOP).
Additionally (for certain categories):
  • copy of a foreign economic contract and documents on secondment of a foreign employee;
  • decision of a foreign company on the transfer of their employee and a copy of the employment contract; order of an educational institution, consent to employment of a student, copy of the residence permit and diploma;
  • document on the status of a refugee, a stateless person, or a person in need of additional protection.
Timeframes for obtaining a work permit
  • initial issuance — up to 7 business days;
  • extension of the permit — usually up to 3 business days.
Service cost
The cost of the service is from EUR 450.00. The final price depends on:
  • urgency of processing,
  • scope and cost of document translations,
  • the period for which it is necessary to obtain the permit.
The state fee is paid separately, the amount of which is influenced by the validity period of the work permit.
 
State fee in 2026
  • up to 6 months — UAH 9,984,
  • from 6 months to 1 year — UAH 16,640,
  • from 1 to 2 years — UAH 26,624.
Upon extension — a discount of 1 subsistence minimum (UAH 3,328.00).
 
Validity period of the permit
The permit may be issued for up to 2 years, depending on the term of the employment contract.
 
For citizens of countries recognized as a threat to the national security of Ukraine (Russian Federation, Belarus), the permit is issued only with approval of the Security Service of Ukraine.
 
Our approach to providing legal services
  • minimal involvement of the employer — only for signing documents;
  • the foreigner does not need to come to Ukraine at the stage of obtaining the permit (for citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus — support of the approval procedure with the Security Service of Ukraine);
  • confidentiality, NDA approach, protection of personal data;
  • experience working with Diia.City and gig contracts;
  • full cycle of services: from translations to obtaining the ready permit.
We know all typical mistakes that lead to refusals and help to avoid them.
 
How to order the service
We work throughout the territory of Ukraine. Contact us personally at the office, through a representative, or online — we take all bureaucratic processes upon ourselves so that you receive the result without unnecessary loss of time and risks.
 
 
Our contacts:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Phone: +380 44 334 42 55
💬 WhatsApp: +380 99 060 33 61