Work permits and visas in Ukraine: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Ukraine? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of visa or permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Ukraine. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work visas in Ukraine, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work permit in Ukraine?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Ukraine, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s visa and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Ukraine

Who needs a work permit in Ukraine?

The following groups of people do not need a work permit:

• Ukrainian citizens (even if they currently live abroad)
• Permanent residents

All other foreign nationals must apply for and obtain a work visa if they intend to be employed in Ukraine.

Note that Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Ukraine, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

Types of work visas in Ukraine

Ukraine does not have a wide range of separate work visas in the way many countries do. Instead, the system is built around a single long-term entry visa (Type D), which is then tied to an employer-sponsored work permit.

Once issued, this combination allows a foreign national to enter Ukraine, live legally, and perform paid work. The key distinctions come from the type of work permit obtained, since this determines eligibility and conditions for the visa.

Type D Visa (D-04)

The Type D visa is, as mentioned, the standard long-term entry visa for foreign nationals who have secured work with a Ukrainian employer. It is granted on the basis of an approved work permit issued by the State Employment Service of Ukraine (see below).

With the Type D visa, the worker enters Ukraine and then obtains a temporary residence permit, which is the document that authorises both residence and employment. This is the most common route for foreign nationals and is valid for the duration of the work contract (usually one to three years).

The main work permits for employees are as follows:

Standard Employment Permit. This is for foreign nationals hired under a contract with a Ukrainian employer.

Intra-Company Transfer Permit. This is for foreign nationals seconded from a parent or affiliated company abroad.

Specialist or Highly Skilled Permit. This is for roles requiring specific expertise, often with reduced restrictions, such as IT specialists, creative professionals, or managers.

Each type of permit has its own eligibility criteria, but all feed into the same Type D visa route.

Does Ukraine offer a digital nomad visa?

No. Ukraine does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa.

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

What about the Schengen Visa?

Despite being part of Europe, Ukraine is not part of the Schengen Area. 

Even so, the Schengen Visa is simply a travel authorization for those who wish to stay in a Schengen member state for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). It is not a work visa and, by itself, does not give holders legal permission to work in any Schengen member state.

What are the visa requirements in Ukraine?

To employ a foreign national in Ukraine, the cornerstone requirement is the work permit issued by the State Employment Service of Ukraine. This permit links a specific role in your company to the foreign employee and must be obtained before the individual can apply for a Type D visa.

During the work permit application, you must submit supporting documents, including:

• Your company’s registration papers
• Proof of tax compliance
• A signed employment contract

Note that the employment contract should specify salary, job duties, and duration of employment, and it must comply with Ukrainian labour law.

Alongside a full work permit application, the employee must meet personal requirements. These include:

• Holding a passport valid for at least six months
• Providing passport-sized photographs
• Submitting a health insurance policy that covers their stay in Ukraine
• Presenting a criminal record certificate from their home country

Educational diplomas or professional qualifications may also be required, particularly if the job is in a regulated field. All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Ukrainian.

Once the work permit is approved, the foreign employee can then apply for a long-term Type D visa at a Ukrainian consulate or embassy abroad.

How do you apply for a Ukrainian work visa?

Once you have the work permit in hand, you must provide your employee with a copy and the supporting company documents they need for their visa application. The employee then applies for the Type D visa at the Ukrainian embassy or consulate in their country of residence, attaching the work permit, passport, photos, and insurance. Once the visa is approved, they can travel to Ukraine.

On arrival, the final step is obtaining a temporary residence permit from the State Migration Service. As the employer, you assist by confirming the ongoing validity of the work permit and providing proof of accommodation or company support for the employee. The temporary residence permit is generally issued for the same duration as the work permit and allows the employee to legally live and work in Ukraine.

Your responsibility does not end there, either. You must maintain compliance by renewing permits on time, keeping records up to date, and notifying authorities if the employment ends.

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Ukraine, you’ll need to have your own legal entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s employer of record (EOR) service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Ukraine on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local payroll tax and labor laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Ukraine, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, legal support, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.