Work permit for employing a foreigner: arranged end to end
The permit is obtained by the employer, not by the foreigner — and it is that permit which later becomes the ground for a residence permit. We take the whole cycle: from checking the position to the decision in hand.
Updated: 07.09.2026
- 650+
- cases handled
- since 2016
- in migration law
- 97%
- successful filings
- 15
- working days to review
- 30+
- client countries
About this service
A work permit is arranged by the employer, not by the foreigner: a Ukrainian company or sole trader files with the regional employment centre. Review takes up to 7 working days, and the permit is issued for up to two years for a hired employee, or up to three for a seconded worker or intra-corporate transferee. That permit then becomes the ground for a temporary residence permit.
More in the knowledge base: How to get a work permit for a foreigner in Ukraine?Who it is for
- Ukrainian companies and sole traders hiring a foreigner
- Foreigners who already have an agreement with an employer
- Anyone applying for a residence permit on the ground of work: the permit comes first
What documents are needed
- Copy of the foreigner's passport with translation
- Foreigner's photo
- Employer's details (LLC or sole trader)
- Agreed terms: position, salary, duration
What it gives you
- The foreigner works lawfully, and the company holds the document it shows at an inspection
- The permit becomes the ground for a temporary residence permit
- Its term is extended for as long as the work continues
- One document settles both the HR side and the employee's migration status
How we work
Full support. You hand over the documents, we do the rest.
At every stage one lawyer runs your case, reachable at any time.
What it costs
The fee is fixed in the contract before the work starts. Case expenses are paid separately.
Converted from US dollars at the National Bank rate of 07.09.2026, rounded down to the hundred.
- Analysis of the employer's and candidate's situation
- Checking the position and terms before filing
- Application and the full package
- Notarised passport translation
- Filing with the employment centre
- Support to the decision
Show everything included in the serviceHide
- The next step
The price is the lawyer's work. State duties, notary, translations and insurance are paid separately: those amounts depend on your case.
For companies: an invoice and a full set of accounting documents.
Why clients choose us
- One lawyer runs your whole case and is reachable anytime
- We speak your language: English, Ukrainian, Russian
- We take on the Migration Service queues under a power of attorney
- A fixed price in the contract, no hidden fees
- We go from the legal ground to the card and registration
- The first consultation is free and commits you to nothing
Frequently asked questions
Who signs the documents?+
The employer signs the application. We prepare everything for signature; the foreigner's personal presence is not needed.
Does the foreigner have to be present?+
Not for the permit: the employer files it. Personal presence comes later, at the residence permit stage, when biometrics are taken.
How long is the permit issued for?+
One, two or three years depending on the category of employee. We say what is possible for your vacancy at the consultation.
How long does the review take?+
Up to 7 working days at the employment centre once the full package is filed. The overall term also depends on how quickly the documents come together.
Can a sole trader be the employer?+
Yes, a sole trader can hold a work permit too. The package and the conditions differ from a company's — we go through that at the consultation.
Can work start before the permit is issued?+
No. Employing a foreigner without a permit is a risk for the employer above all. So we advise against agreeing a start date before there is a decision.
What if the employment centre refuses?+
The usual reasons are a salary below the threshold or errors in the documents. We check that before filing, so refusals are rare; if one happens we fix the cause and refile at no extra charge for our work.
Useful reading
Our team prepares expert material and keeps you up to date with changes in the law. Here are free guides on the topic.
- Does a sole trader (FOP) employer need a work permit for a foreigner?5 min read · 22 June 2025
- What must an employer do after a foreign employee's work permit is issued in Ukraine?6 min read · 18 October 2026
- How can a foreigner change employers in Ukraine without losing the residence permit?7 min read · 18 October 2026
Office & contacts
вул. Володимирська, 51/53, Київ
метро Золоті ворота
Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00
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