TRP in Ukraine: the complete guide to the temporary residence permit
A temporary residence permit (TRP) lets a foreigner live in Ukraine legally for more than 90 days. It is issued by the Migration Service on the basis of work, study, family or business, usually lasts 1 year and can be renewed an unlimited number of times.
- Review period
- 7-15 days
- Validity
- usually 1 year
- Issuing authority
- Migration Service
- Renewal
- yearly, in advance
Who is eligible for the permit?
A temporary residence permit (TRP) is a plastic ID card issued by the State Migration Service of Ukraine. It confirms a foreigner's right to reside in the country lawfully for more than 90 days.
It is available to foreigners who came with a purpose defined by law. Each purpose is a separate ground that determines the document list:
- employment under a permit to employ a foreigner
- study at a Ukrainian higher education institution
- family reunification with a Ukrainian citizen or a permit holder
- work at a representative office of a foreign company or a branch of a foreign bank
- religious, volunteer or cultural activity
- work as a correspondent of foreign media
- investment or business activity
Choose your ground
The document package depends on your ground. Pick your case.
What the permit gives you, and what life without it lacks
Without a permit a foreigner lives under the 90/180 rule: no more than 90 days in any 180. The permit removes this limit and opens access to what a tourist cannot reach, from official employment to banking and business.
The comparison shows the difference in key opportunities.
The permit removes the limits of tourist status and grants rights close to those of a resident.
- Without a permit
- up to 90 days in every 180
- With a permit
- no time limit
- Without a permit
- 90/180 days counted
- With a permit
- no day limit
- Without a permit
- not allowed
- With a permit
- allowed (with a work permit)
- Without a permit
- limited
- With a permit
- like a resident
- Without a permit
- no
- With a permit
- yes
- Without a permit
- no
- With a permit
- yes
- Without a permit
- no
- With a permit
- yes
How does the process work?
- 1You determine the legal ground and collect the documents that confirm it.
- 2You arrange a notarized translation of the passport and, if needed, an apostille.
- 3You obtain a long-term type D visa (for citizens of visa countries).
- 4You file the full package with the local Migration Service office at your place of residence.
- 5You wait for the review, usually 7-15 working days.
- 6You receive the permit and register your place of residence.
What documents are required?
The base package is the same for everyone, and a document confirming your ground is added to it. The full base list is in the checklist below.
The supporting document depends on the purpose: a work permit for employment, a university certificate for study, a marriage or birth certificate for family, company incorporation documents for business.
Foreign documents require a notarized translation into Ukrainian, and some also need an apostille or consular legalization.
Document checklist
0/6 doneHow much does it cost and how long does it take?
The review takes 7-15 working days after a complete package is accepted. The permit is usually valid for one year and is tied to the term of the ground.
The budget consists of state payments and related costs. An approximate breakdown:
| Cost item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative processing fee | ~UAH ___ | state Migration Service fee |
| Permit card (printing) | ~UAH ___ | cost of the plastic ID card |
| Notarized passport translation | ~UAH ___ | depends on the number of pages |
| Health insurance policy (one year) | ~UAH ___ | valid for the whole permit term |
| Full legal support | from UAH 8,800 | fixed price by contract |
Amounts current as of 12 July 2026
The final amount depends on your ground and on which documents need translation and an apostille. At the consultation we calculate an exact budget for your case.
Residence permit, done for you
From choosing the legal ground to the issued card: fixed price, case status online.
The most common reasons for refusal
The Migration Service does not refuse arbitrarily but on specific grounds. The most common are:
- an incomplete document package or errors in the application
- an expired type D visa or the ground itself at the time of filing
- inaccurate information or forged documents
- no valid health insurance policy
- an active ban on entry to Ukraine
What to do if you are refused
- 1Obtain the written Migration Service decision stating the grounds for refusal.
- 2Check the appeal deadline: a complaint is filed within the period set by law from the date you receive the decision.
- 3Choose the route: an administrative complaint to a higher Migration Service body or a claim to the administrative court.
- 4Fix the cause if it is technical (a missing document, an error) and refile the package.
- 5For a complex refusal, consult a lawyer, we assess the prospects for free.
What to do after receiving the permit?
Getting the card is not the end. Within a set period you must register your place of residence, otherwise the permit may be cancelled.
It is also worth getting a tax number right away: without it you cannot open an account or be employed officially. And most importantly, watch the term: renewal is filed in advance, 15-20 days before it expires.
Temporary permit, PRP or citizenship: what to choose
- Temporary permit
- 1-2 years, by ground
- Permanent (PRP)
- 10 years, then exchange
- Citizenship
- indefinite
- Temporary permit
- permit required (exemptions exist)
- Permanent (PRP)
- no permit needed
- Citizenship
- no restrictions
- Temporary permit
- unlimited
- Permanent (PRP)
- unlimited
- Citizenship
- unlimited
- Temporary permit
- work, study, marriage
- Permanent (PRP)
- immigration permit: quota, $100k or family
- Citizenship
- naturalization 5 yrs, origin or marriage
- Temporary permit
- limited
- Permanent (PRP)
- free
- Citizenship
- free
- Temporary permit
- move to PRP
- Permanent (PRP)
- apply for citizenship
- Citizenship
- —
| Criterion | Temporary permit | Permanent (PRP) | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 1-2 years, by ground | 10 years, then exchange | indefinite |
| Right to work | permit required (exemptions exist) | no permit needed | no restrictions |
| Number of entries | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| Typical ground | work, study, marriage | immigration permit: quota, $100k or family | naturalization 5 yrs, origin or marriage |
| Living abroad | limited | free | free |
| Next step | move to PRP | apply for citizenship | — |
Exact state fees and timelines depend on the ground — check the service page or ask a lawyer. Figures are general; status is determined individually.
Common questions about the permit
How do I start applying for the permit?+
By determining your legal ground: work, study, family or business. It defines the document package and whether a type D visa is needed. Then we prepare the application and file with the Migration Service.
How long does the whole process take?+
The Migration Service review takes 7-15 working days after a complete package is filed. With document preparation and translations, the full cycle usually fits within a few weeks.
Is personal presence required?+
Yes, the foreigner submits biometric data in person. A lawyer prepares the rest (application, translation, booking), so the visit is single and short.
Can I work with the permit alone?+
The permit itself does not grant the right to work. If the ground is employment, a permit to employ a foreigner is arranged first, and the residence permit is issued on its basis.
What to do if the Migration Service refuses?+
A refusal is issued in writing with its grounds. It can be fixed and refiled, or appealed. What to do if refused
Do I have to pay taxes in Ukraine?+
The permit itself does not make you a tax resident. Residency is determined by staying more than 183 days a year or by the center of vital interests. A tax number is required for official work and banking.
What happens if I travel abroad while the permit is valid?+
With a valid permit and passport you can freely leave and return. The main thing is to watch the validity of the permit and the ground.
Is a foreigner with a permit subject to mobilization?+
No. Mobilization and military duty apply to Ukrainian citizens. A foreigner with a permit is not subject to conscription but may serve in the Armed Forces under contract voluntarily.
What if the permit is lost?+
A replacement or exchange of the card is issued. We advise not to postpone, as many other procedures are hard without the permit.
Will I have to give up my current citizenship?+
No. Renouncing your existing citizenship is not required to obtain the permit.
Does the permit give a right to citizenship?+
Not directly, but years of lawful residence count as a step toward permanent residence and later toward citizenship.
Where to go after the permit?+
A temporary permit is the first step. After several years of lawful residence, the path to permanent residence (PRP) opens, and later to citizenship.
Official sources
Services on this topic
Don’t want to spend hours on Migration Service requirements and risk a refusal? Hand it to a lawyer — all we need is your passport and a signature.
A case from practice
A citizen of <country TODO> received a job offer from a Ukrainian company with only <N TODO> days left of allowed stay. There was neither a work permit nor a type D visa.
We first obtained the permit to employ a foreigner, and in parallel prepared the ground for the D visa, the notarized translations and the proof of residence. The package went to the Migration Service in a single filing, with no repeat visits by the client.
Work permit in <N TODO> working days, residence permit in <N TODO> working days after filing. The client became legal without leaving Ukraine.
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Residence permit, done for you
From choosing the legal ground to the issued card: fixed price, case status online.