Three family grounds
Paragraph 8 of the Rules for issuing visas, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 118, lists the supporting documents for a visa D. Three of them are family grounds. Each one has its own purpose-of-travel code under the Instruction on the procedure for issuing visas. The general procedure for any Ukrainian visa is covered in the guide to getting a Ukrainian visa.
Document checklist
0/5 doneWho counts as a family member
Article 1 of the Law "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons" No. 3773-VI defines the family members of a foreigner. They are the husband or wife, minor children, including minor children of the other spouse, parents who are unable to work, and other persons regarded as family members under the law of the country of origin.
Adult children and parents who are able to work usually fall outside this definition. They need a ground of their own, such as employment or study. For that reason it pays to check each relative individually before applying, rather than putting the whole family through one template.
Marriage to a Ukrainian citizen
For the spouse of a Ukrainian citizen the supporting document is proof of the marriage. The Rules require an actual marriage, so a fiancé or fiancée cannot rely on this ground.
Where the marriage was concluded abroad under the law of another state, its validity is assessed under the Law "On Private International Law". The marriage certificate is legalised, unless a law or an international treaty provides otherwise, and filed with a certified translation into Ukrainian or, where that is not possible, into English. After arrival the couple applies for a посвідка на тимчасове проживання (temporary residence permit, TRP), a route described in the article on the residence permit through marriage.
Family of a foreigner with a residence permit
When a foreigner already lives in Ukraine on a temporary residence permit, their family can obtain visa D. The application includes a document proving membership of the family, a copy of the foreigner's residence permit, and a document showing that the foreigner has sufficient funds to support the family in Ukraine.
Marriage and birth certificates issued abroad are legalised and translated here too. How to obtain the residence permit after entry is explained in the article on the residence permit for a family member.
Family of a refugee or a person under protection
A separate ground covers family members of a person recognised as a refugee in Ukraine, or of a person in need of complementary protection or granted temporary protection. For the visa you file a document confirming that you belong to that person's family. These cases are less common, and it makes sense to agree the document package with the consulate in advance.
Legalisation and translation
Almost every family visa involves foreign documents, typically marriage or birth certificates. Depending on the issuing country, they are either legalised or apostilled. How to tell which procedure applies is explained in the article on apostille and legalisation.
Names in the translation must match the passport and the application form. Discrepancies turn up most often in family documents, because they are issued in different countries and in different years. Why this matters is covered in the article on differences in the spelling of a name.
Visas for children
Each child receives a visa of their own. People entered in a parent's passport file separate application forms, and the form for a minor is signed by one of the parents or by a legal representative. Children under the age of 12 may be exempt from giving biometrics.
Plan the visas for the whole family at the same time. Visa D is valid for 90 days, and if the children receive their visas later, the family will end up applying for residence permits at different times.
Lawyer's experience
In my practice a family visa is most often held up by documents from abroad. A marriage certificate without an apostille, or a translation in which the name is spelled differently from the passport, will be sent back by the consulate. So we start by checking every family document and only then book the consulate appointment.
My second piece of advice concerns the families of foreigners who hold a residence permit. The consulate looks at whether the foreigner has enough money to support the family. We prepare the proof of funds in advance so that no one has to go back to the consulate a second time.
If you are planning to bring your family to Ukraine, our visa support covers a package for each family member.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Who counts as a family member for the visa?+
Law No. 3773-VI treats as family members a husband or wife, minor children, including the minor children of the other spouse, parents unable to work, and other persons regarded as family under the law of the country of origin.
Can I get visa D as a fiancé or fiancée?+
No. The Rules require a document proving that you are married. Without a registered marriage this ground does not apply.
Is a marriage concluded abroad valid in Ukraine?+
Its validity is assessed under the Law "On Private International Law". The certificate is legalised, unless a treaty provides otherwise, and translated.
Does my child need a separate visa?+
Yes. Every family member is issued their own visa, and people entered in a parent's passport file separate application forms.
Can the parents of a Ukrainian citizen get visa D as family?+
Among the supporting documents for visa D the Rules expressly name marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, not other family ties. For the parents of a citizen the Rules provide a document on family relationship for the short-stay visa C. A long-stay ground for them should be worked out separately.
This article is general guidance, not individual legal advice.