Who can get a permit through marriage?
The ground applies to a foreigner in a registered marriage with a Ukrainian citizen. Formally it is one of the family-reunification cases provided for by the law on the legal status of foreigners.
The right is granted specifically by an officially registered marriage. Cohabitation without registration, or a religious ceremony without a civil record, is not a ground.
Document checklist
0/6 doneWhat documents are required?
The base package (passport with translation, application, insurance, proof of residence, fee receipt) is supplemented by the marriage certificate and a document confirming your spouse's citizenship.
If the marriage was concluded abroad, the certificate needs a translation into Ukrainian and, depending on the country, an apostille or consular legalization. A Ukrainian certificate needs no extra certification.
How does it work and for how long?
Citizens of visa countries first obtain a long-term type D visa, then file the full package with the local Migration Service office. Review takes 7-15 working days.
The permit is issued for a term tied to the ground, usually one year, and is renewed annually while the marriage lasts. After two years of marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, you may apply for an immigration permit (PRP) outside the quota.
Sham marriage and Migration Service checks
The Migration Service may verify that the marriage is genuine rather than concluded only for documents. Signs of a sham marriage (no shared household, contradictory statements by the spouses) can lead to refusal and to cancellation of a permit already issued.
A sham marriage risks not only refusal but an entry ban. It is not a workaround: the ground must be real and documented.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Does marriage automatically grant the right to reside?+
No. Marriage is only a ground on which the permit is issued. Until the permit is granted, the foreigner stays under the general rules (visa or 90/180).
Can I work on a marriage-based permit?+
Yes. Unlike the work ground, a marriage-based permit needs no separate work permit: the foreigner can take up employment on general terms.
What happens to the permit on divorce?+
The ground falls away with the marriage, so the permit may be cancelled. If another ground exists by then (work, study), it is worth switching to it in advance.
When can I apply for permanent residence?+
After two years of registered marriage to a Ukrainian citizen you gain the right to apply for an immigration permit outside the quota, and later for citizenship.
This article is general guidance, not individual legal advice.