Obtaining Work Permit in Ukraine

How to obtain a work permit in Ukraine? 

Foreigners and stateless persons can be employed in Ukraine only after obtaining an appropriate permit issued by the State Employment Service of Ukraine. These requirements are established by Article 42 of the Law of Ukraine “On Employment.” People who have permanent residency in Ukraine do not need a work permit to be employed. A work permit can be issued for up to 3 years. Permission may be renewed before it expires. When making Ukraine company verification, we always check the work permit to see if the company has any foreign employees.That is because the penalty for using foreign labor without a employment permit is 20 minimum monthly wages for each employee (UAH 172,940.00). If a foreigner works on terms other than those specified in the work permit, the penalty is 10 minimum monthly wages (UAH 86,470.00). Additionally, company officials may face administrative fines ranging from UAH 8,500.00 to UAH 17,000.00. The company can also be fined even if there is no employment contract but based on the fact that a foreign individual is working in that company.

It is not a must for an employee to come to Ukraine to obtain a work permit. It is a company (the employer) to apply for needed documents and to pay the required fees. Permission is issued to the employer (legal entity or sole proprietor) and not to the foreigner as an individual. So, work permits can be used for employment in a particular company or organization. That means that if you obtain an employment permit, you will be allowed to work only in a certain company and in a specific job position.

Making an investment, economic, and business activity by foreigners does not require obtaining a work permit. State registration of non-Ukrainians as sole proprietors also does not require to get work authorization. But this permission is required if the foreigner intends to be appointed to the position of the head (Director, Director General, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, President) of the legal entity of which he is a participant or owner. 

A work permit alone does not grant a foreign national the right to reside in Ukraine; however, it serves as the essential prerequisite for securing a long-term visa (Type D-04) and, ultimately, a temporary residence permit. Foreigners traveling from visa-required countries must obtain this Type D-04 visa based on their approved work authorization to enter Ukraine legally and complete their residency registration.

The following documents must be applied to the state authority by an employer

1. Application.
2. Copy of passport (translated into Ukrainian and certified by the notary).
3. One colour photo (the size of 3.5 x 4.5 cm).
4. Draft employment contract (certified by the director of a Ukrainian company).

As of 2026, the official government fees for Ukrainian employment permits are:

Validity	State fee
2 – 3 years	UAH 33 280,00
1 – 2 years	UAH 26 624,00
6 months – 1 year	UAH 16 640,00
Up to 6 months	UAH 9 984,00

(Note: The fee for extending a work permit is lower by 1 subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons for each validity period).

Important Payment Terms: The state fee is not required at the time of initial document submission. Payment must be made within 10 business days after receiving official notification that the State Employment Service has approved the work permit application. Once paid, proof of payment must be promptly provided to the Employment Center to receive the issued permit document.

Who can obtain a work permit in Ukraine?

Any citizen, regardless of nationality. According to the laws of Ukraine, employment is permitted from age 16. Persons who have committed a crime previously may be refused a working permit. The issuance and extension of work authorization for citizens of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, as well as other states recognized as threatening state sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic constitutional order, and other national interests of Ukraine, are carried out in coordination with the regional bodies of the Security Service of Ukraine. 

It is compulsory to obtain a Ukrainian work permit to be able to employ:

• Foreign citizens who a foreign employer sends to Ukraine to perform a certain amount of work (services) based on contracts concluded between the domestic and foreign business entities; the percentage of qualified foreigners employed under the agreement does not exceed half of the total number of people working for Conditions of the contract;
• Foreigners who are classified as “intra-corporate transferees” according to the schedule of specific obligations in the service sector, the Protocol on Ukraine’s accession to the WTO (Article II of the General Agreement on Trade in Services);

The detailed procedure for the employment permit, state fees, terms, and requirements are regulated by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Foreign Citizens Exempt from Work Permit Obligations

1. Foreign citizens who have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine;
2. Official refugees under the legislation of Ukraine;
3. Individuals who have obtained an immigration permit;
4. Foreigners who are recognized as persons in need of additional protection or who are granted temporary protection in Ukraine;
5. Representatives of foreign maritime (river) fleets and airlines that serve such companies on the territory of Ukraine;
6. Employees of foreign media who are accredited to work in Ukraine;
7. Professional athletes, artists, and art workers to work in Ukraine;
8. Workers of emergency services for urgent work;
9. Employees of foreign representative offices (registered in the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by the law);
10. Ecclesiastics, clergymen  who are to reside in Ukraine temporarily (on the ground of invitation of the religious organization) for canonical or religious activity only in such religious organization;
11. Foreigners who arrived in Ukraine to participate in the implementation of international technical assistance projects;
12. Foreigners who arrived to conduct teaching and/or scientific activity in higher education institutions, universities, etc.;
13. Other foreigners in cases provided by laws and international treaties of Ukraine;

The involvement of highly qualified foreign specialists and workers, who are required for Ukraine’s economic progress, is carried out on the grounds defined by the Law of Ukraine “On Immigration.” 

Need professional assistance with work permits in Ukraine? Reach out to us today to discuss your case and let our lawyers handle the entire legal procedure for you.

(votes: 15, average: 4,00 из 5)

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