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Temporary residence permit for a foreign student

OHOleksandra HordiienkoMigration lawyer6 min read
Ground
study at a university
Validity
study period, renewed yearly
Key document
enrollment certificate
Short answer

A foreigner enrolled full-time at a Ukrainian higher education institution obtains a temporary residence permit on the ground of study. The key document is the enrollment order or certificate from the university. The permit is issued for the study period and renewed each year while the student stays on the institution's rolls.

This article is up to dateverified by a lawyer next review: January 2027Update history
2026-07-12Article published.

Who applies on the ground of study?

The ground applies to a foreigner enrolled in full-time study at an accredited Ukrainian higher education institution. Part-time or distance forms usually do not qualify for this ground.

The invitation to study and the enrollment order are issued by the university itself, and it is the institution that passes the student's data to the Migration Service. So the permit is always arranged together with the university.

Document checklist

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What documents are required?

The base package (passport with translation, application, insurance, proof of residence, fee receipt) is supplemented by the supporting document from the university: the enrollment order or certificate.

Citizens of visa countries first obtain a long-term type D visa on the university's invitation, and only then file the full package with the Migration Service.

For how long, and how to renew?

The permit is issued for a term tied to the studies and is renewed each academic year. Renewal documents are filed in advance, while the previous permit is still valid and the student remains on the institution's rolls.

Review at the Migration Service takes 7-15 working days. The permit's validity cannot exceed the period confirmed by the university's certificate.

Expulsion, academic leave and work

The permit is tied to student status. Expulsion or a long academic leave means the ground is lost, and the permit may be cancelled. Any change in status is worth flagging to a lawyer in advance.

Study does not grant a full right to work: to be employed officially a student generally needs a separate permit to employ a foreigner. Discuss work plans before, not after, the application.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work while studying on the permit?+

The study ground itself does not grant the right to work. Official employment generally requires a separate permit to employ a foreigner.

What happens to the permit after graduation?+

When the studies end, the ground falls away. To stay legally you must switch to another ground in advance, for example employment under a work permit.

Is the permit renewed automatically each year?+

No. Renewal is arranged each time with an updated university certificate confirming continued study. Missing the filing deadline risks losing the status.

This article is general guidance, not individual legal advice.