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Obtaining the residence permit for foreign military personnel

If until recently foreign citizens and stateless persons serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine only needed the relevant military registration document in order to stay legally on the territory of Ukraine, now they are obliged to obtain temporary residence permits.
 
On 10 May 2026, the Law of Ukraine No. 4730-IX “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Legal Status and Medical Support of Military Personnel from among Foreigners and Stateless Persons” dated 17 December 2025 entered into force, which contains this requirement. In accordance with it, Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 573 dated 6 May 2026 was adopted.
 
Those military personnel who are already staying in Ukraine have time until 10 November 2026 to obtain residence permits. Those who plan to arrive must obtain residence permits immediately.
 
Main rules
The requirement to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine applies to foreigners and stateless persons who, in the legal order, concluded a contract for military service:
  • in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
  • in the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine,
  • in the National Guard of Ukraine.
Important! The residence permit is issued for the term of the military service contract and six months from the date of its termination (cancellation).
 
Documents for obtaining a residence permit
The following documents must be submitted to the department of the State Migration Service of Ukraine:
  • an application form of the foreigner or stateless person;
  • a passport or another identity document with a notarized translation into the Ukrainian language;
  • a military registration document (service certificate) of the military serviceman;
  • a military service contract;
  • an obligation of the military unit with which the contract was concluded to notify the State Migration Service about the early termination (cancellation) of such contract.
Important! Originals of the documents are returned to the foreigner, and their copies certified by the employee of the subdivision of the State Migration Service are attached to the application form.
 
Special (preferential) conditions
The requirement regarding registration or declaration of the place of residence (stay) does not apply to foreigners and stateless persons who concluded a contract for military service.
 
Citizens of certain states may submit a passport with an expired validity period or a passport subject to replacement in order to obtain a residence permit. This concerns citizens of the aggressor state and those states that voted against the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations “On the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine” dated 27 March 2014 No. 68/262. In particular, this applies to citizens of russia, Belarus, Armenia, Bolivia, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Sudan, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela.
 
Therefore, the countdown of the period allocated for obtaining residence permits by foreign military personnel is already ongoing, and the deadline is approaching. We recommend taking care of obtaining this important document without delay.