The term follows the ground
A посвідка (temporary residence permit, TRP) has no single term that applies to everyone. Paragraph 4 of the Procedure approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 322 issues it for a term that matches the documents filed, in other words the term of the ground. For most grounds the general rule applies, and the permit is issued for no more than one year. Some categories have rules of their own. The full application process is described in our guide to the TRP.
This leads to the main practical rule. To know how long your permit will be issued for, look at the document behind it rather than at the permit itself. A work permit, an enrolment order or a project registration card is what determines the term of the card.
Terms for different grounds
Paragraph 4 of Procedure No. 322 distinguishes the following situations.
The date on the card is not a guarantee
The date on the card shows the last day on which the permit can be valid. It stays valid only while the ground exists, however. If an employee is dismissed, a student is expelled or an organisation stops operating, the ДМС (State Migration Service, DMS) may revoke the permit earlier. The grounds for revocation are listed in paragraph 63 of Procedure No. 322 and explained in the article on revocation of a TRP.
Treat the term as a ceiling, then. How long you actually live in Ukraine depends on how stable your ground is.
Permit term and the insurance policy
One more document depends on the permit term, and that is the health insurance policy. Paragraph 32 of Procedure No. 322 requires the policy to be valid for the entire term of the permit. If the permit turns out longer than you expected, a shorter policy makes the package incomplete, and that is a ground for refusal.
Find out the permit term before you buy the policy. For a work-based permit, look at the date in the work permit, and for a student permit, at the institution's order. We order the policy with a small margin beyond the permit term so that cover does not run out in the last few days. Policy requirements are described in the article on insurance for a TRP.
Family members' permits
Permits that family members receive through reunification depend on the permit of the person they joined. When your own permit is due to expire and you exchange it, review the terms of your family's permits as well, so that they are not left without a ground. How these permits are issued is explained in the article on a TRP for a family member.
What happens when the term ends
When the permit is close to expiry but the ground continues, the permit is exchanged for a new term. Documents for an exchange because of expiry can be filed no later than the last day on which the card is valid. There is no limit on how many such exchanges you can make. The renewal process is described in the article on renewing a TRP.
With a work-based permit, the work permit is extended first and only then is the residence permit exchanged, because the new card term will be taken from the new work permit.
Martial law does not extend temporary permits
Until May 2026, expired permits were treated as valid for the period of martial law. Since 7 May 2026, after the amendments made by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 141, this concession covers only permanent residence permits. An expired TRP no longer confirms either lawful residence or the right to enter Ukraine. The consequences for travel are covered in the article on travelling abroad with a TRP.
Lawyer's experience
Clients most often find out the term of their permit by chance, when only a few weeks are left. This is especially true of work-based permits, where the term depends on the date in the work permit rather than on how long the person planned to work. So I advise putting two dates in your calendar at once, the end of the work permit and the end of the residence permit.
My second piece of advice concerns the term of the work permit. The employer decides what term to apply for, and that decision determines how often the foreigner will have to visit the DMS. A shorter work permit looks cheaper, but every extension also means exchanging the residence permit.
To make sure no deadline slips, we handle residence permit renewal with control of the dates on both the work permit and the card.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Can my residence permit be longer than my work permit?+
No. A work-based permit is issued for the period of work stated in the work permit. A longer residence permit needs a longer work permit, and the term of that is limited by the employment contract and by law.
What happens if my ground ends before the date on the card?+
The date on the card is a maximum, not a guarantee. If the ground ends, for example because you are dismissed or expelled from your university, the State Migration Service may revoke the permit early.
How many times can I renew a temporary residence permit?+
There is no limit on the number of exchanges. The permit is exchanged for a new term for as long as the ground continues and the foreigner files the documents on time.
Is an expired temporary residence permit still valid under martial law?+
Not since 7 May 2026. The concession under Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1202 now applies only to permanent residence permits, so an expired temporary permit no longer counts as valid.
This article is general guidance, not individual legal advice.