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A work permit in Ukraine is required for most foreign workers and entrepreneurs. In 2025, it must be obtained through an employer and allows legal employment, visa D, and residency. Proper documents, fee payment, and legal compliance are key to success.
If you're a foreign citizen or have a status of stateless person and planning to work or do business in Ukraine, you’ll likely need a work permit. It’s an official document that confirms your right to be employed legally in the country. Without work permit issued from State Labour Center, Ukrainian employers are not allowed to hire you.
This applies whether you’re looking for a job with a local company or planning to open your own business and employ yourself. Most employment situations require this kind of authorization, regardless of how long the job will last.
In this guide, we break down everything about work permit obtaining in Ukraine in 2025 — from who needs it to how the process works step by step.
Work permits in Ukraine can be obtained by:
It is the employer’s duty to submit the application to the State Labour Center, not the employee’s. However, in some cases, a foreign entrepreneur can apply on their own behalf if they run an active business in Ukraine. And it is also worth understanding for every foreigner (worker) that under Ukrainian law, it’s the employer—not the individual employee—who officially holds the work permit, so every foreign worker is attached to some particular employer until work permit is cancelled.
To apply for a work permit in Ukraine, you’ll typically need these documents:
To obtain a work permit in Ukraine, you need to clearly understand the documents and legal rules.
Some categories of foreign workers, expecting to get permit to work in Ukraine, may need extra documents, such as:
The application for a Ukrainian work permit goes to the regional Employment Center. Most often, this is done by the employer. The process can be done by you or someone legally representing you. Documents can be submitted both by email and directly by physically submitting documents at the employment center itself.
Government fees change based on how long the permit is for:
In the case of a permit extension and not a first-time issuance, the cost of the state fee is reduced by 3,028 hryvnias and payment must be made before submitting the application.
The Employment Center usually reviews applications within 7 business days. If the documents are complete and correct, and according to requirements of the State Labour Center, the approval is issued quickly. If not, the application may face rejection or delay.
When approved, the permit is printed and handed out. The foreign employee must sign an employment contract within 90 days of receiving the work permit. Once they get an employment permit they can apply for a visa D and then for a temporary residence permit within 90 days of the work visa validity period.
Work permits can be valid for:
The duration depends on the contract and the type of work.
Documents for extending a work permit must be submitted no earlier than 50 days before the permit expires and no later than 20 days. Renewal includes:
If mentioned in legislation deadline is missed, you might need to restart the full process, including authorization and a new visa.
Foreign employees in Ukraine have the right to:
They also have obligations, including:
Lack of attention to labor law requirements and improper compliance with Ukrainian labor and immigration rules can lead to:
To prevent problems, the employee and employer need to follow the legal steps properly
The process of obtaining a work permit in Ukraine involves multiple preparation steps from the employer side, drafting legal documents, and communication with government bodies. Everything have to be done accurately and carefully. Mistakes or delays can cost time and money.
Working with professionals who specialize in Immigration Legal Services offers:
Legal assistance is particularly important in 2025, as Ukraine is changing its rules for business immigration and hiring foreigners.
A work permit is the only way to legal employment, business opportunities, and even long-term residence (temporary residence permit). If foreigner work continuously for 5 years in Ukraine and newer left country for more than three months in a year, he/she can apply for permanent residency as well. Therefore, with time having work permit can lead towards becoming permanent resident of the country.
In order to successfully complete this process, you need to know the procedure well, the list of required documents, deadlines, and legal responsibilities of the person/company who employ foreign citizen. With proper legal support, the process of obtaining a work permit in Ukraine becomes much simpler. Doing this quickly and effectively is impossible without help of professional lawyer. You will reduce the risk of delays or refusals and increase your chances of success, regardless of whether you are applying for the first time or doing extension of already existing work permit.
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