We work with international candidates from 155+ countries seeking employment across construction, engineering, healthcare, IT, agriculture, and several other industries in Ukraine.

Timelines vary by role and industry, but most candidates move from application to employer matching within a few weeks once their profile and documents are complete.

Language requirements depend on the role and employer. Many positions only require basic communication skills, and we'll let you know what each opportunity calls for.

Our team assists with accommodation guidance, local orientation, and ongoing adaptation support as you settle into your new role.

To enter Ukraine, a foreign national must have a valid passport or other travel document recognized by Ukrainian law. Depending on the person's nationality, a visa may also be required. Citizens of many countries, including EU member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several others, may enter Ukraine visa-free and stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, private visits, or certain business purposes.

Foreign nationals entering Ukraine may also be asked by border authorities to provide documents confirming the purpose of their visit, proof of sufficient financial means, and other supporting documentation required under Ukrainian immigration regulations.

Important: A visa-free stay does not grant the right to work in Ukraine. Foreign nationals who intend to remain in Ukraine for more than 90 days and obtain a temporary residence permit based on employment generally must first obtain a long-term Type D visa before applying for their residence permit in Ukraine. Type D visas are specifically issued for persons planning to apply for temporary residence and stay in Ukraine for longer than 90 days.

Therefore, foreigners coming to Ukraine for employment should not rely on the visa-free regime. Before starting work and applying for a temporary residence permit, they should ensure that all immigration requirements, including obtaining the appropriate visa and work authorization, have been properly completed in accordance with Ukrainian law.

e-Visa (Electronic Visa) — An e-Visa is applied for and issued online for short-term visits to Ukraine. It is generally intended for purposes such as business trips, tourism, medical treatment, cultural events, journalism, or other short-term activities. The permitted period of stay is typically up to 30 days. An e-Visa does not provide a basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Ukraine and does not authorize employment in Ukraine.

Type D Visa (Long-Term Visa) — A Type D visa is a long-term visa issued through Ukrainian diplomatic missions, consulates, or authorized visa centers abroad. It is generally granted to foreigners who intend to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days and apply for a temporary residence permit. A Type D visa may be issued on various grounds, including:

• Employment based on a valid work permit;
• Studies at a Ukrainian educational institution;
• Family reunification;
• Participation in certain official, religious, cultural, or investment activities recognized by Ukrainian law.

The visa is usually valid for 90 days and allows the holder to enter Ukraine for the purpose of completing the procedures necessary to obtain a temporary residence permit. In practice, the Type D visa serves as the legal bridge between entry into Ukraine and the issuance of a temporary residence permit, while the e-Visa is intended only for short-term visits and cannot be used for long-term residence or employment.

Yes. Due to the ongoing security situation, Ukrainian border authorities may conduct enhanced checks of foreign nationals entering the country. In addition to presenting a valid passport and, where required, a visa, travelers may be asked to provide supporting documents that confirm the purpose and legality of their stay. Border officers may request:

• A return or onward travel ticket, particularly for visitors entering under a visa-free regime or a short-term visa;
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover expenses during the planned period of stay, such as bank statements, payment cards, cash, or other evidence of financial support;
• Documents confirming the purpose of the trip, such as a work permit, an invitation from a Ukrainian educational institution, a hotel reservation, a rental agreement, or other supporting documentation;
• Valid medical insurance covering basic healthcare and emergency medical expenses during the stay in Ukraine.

Border authorities have the right to assess whether the traveler meets the legal entry requirements. Therefore, foreign nationals are strongly advised to carry all relevant original documents and supporting evidence when traveling to Ukraine.

For most standard employment positions, such as company directors, managers, IT specialists, marketers, and other general professional roles, Ukrainian law does not require a diploma to be submitted as part of the work permit application. In these cases, it is generally sufficient that the employer is satisfied with the candidate's qualifications and professional experience.

However, if the position belongs to a regulated profession that requires specific educational credentials — such as medicine, architecture, education, or certain public-sector roles — the foreign diploma must typically be translated into Ukrainian and the translation must be notarized.

Depending on the profession and applicable legal requirements, the diploma may also need to undergo additional procedures, such as legalization (apostille or consular legalization) and official recognition (nostrification) in Ukraine before the foreign national is permitted to practice the profession.

For a foreign educational document, such as a diploma or school certificate, to be recognized and have legal effect in Ukraine, it may need to undergo an official authentication procedure in the country where it was issued.

Apostille — An apostille is a special certification stamp that confirms the authenticity of a public document. It is used when the document was issued in a country that is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. This includes most European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other jurisdictions. Once an apostille has been placed on the document by the competent authority in the issuing country, the document can generally be used in Ukraine without further consular legalization.

Consular Legalization — For documents issued in countries that are not parties to the Hague Convention, a more complex procedure known as consular legalization is usually required. This process generally involves:

• Certification of the document by the competent authorities in the country of issuance (often including the Ministry of Education and/or Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
• Subsequent legalization by the Ukrainian embassy or consulate in that country.

After completing the appropriate apostille or legalization procedure, the document may then be translated into Ukrainian and, where required, submitted for official recognition (nostrification) in Ukraine.

Nostrification is the official procedure for recognizing a foreign educational qualification in Ukraine. The process is administered by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and is used to determine whether a foreign diploma, degree, or academic qualification is equivalent to the corresponding Ukrainian educational standard.

Nostrification is typically required for foreign nationals who intend to work in regulated professions where a recognized educational qualification is mandatory. This most commonly applies to doctors and other healthcare professionals, university professors and lecturers, researchers and scientists, teachers and educators, and other specialists whose professional activities are subject to qualification requirements under Ukrainian law.

During the recognition process, the Ministry reviews the educational institution, the level of qualification obtained, and the academic curriculum completed by the applicant. If the qualification is found to meet the relevant Ukrainian standards, the applicant receives an official certificate of recognition confirming the validity of the foreign diploma in Ukraine.

For many private-sector positions, such as management, marketing, business administration, or information technology, nostrification is generally not required unless specifically requested by the employer or mandated by professional regulations.

No, a foreigner cannot obtain a work permit independently. Under Ukrainian law, the application and supporting documents must be submitted exclusively by the employer — that is, the Ukrainian company that intends to hire the foreign national. The work permit is issued for a specific employer and for a specific position.

The maximum validity period of a work permit depends on the category of the foreign employee. These periods are established by Article 42-3 of the Law of Ukraine "On Employment of the Population."

Up to 3 years (maximum validity period):

• Intra-corporate transferees;
• Gig specialists employed by Diia City resident companies;
• Foreign IT professionals;
• Founders, shareholders, or owners of Ukrainian companies;
• Posted foreign employees assigned to work in Ukraine.

Up to 2 years: Foreign nationals who have been granted refugee status or additional protection in Ukraine.

Up to 1 year (the most common option): Foreign employees hired under the general procedure, including managers, drivers, chefs, and other standard employment positions.

Up to 6 months: Seasonal workers.

A work permit may be renewed an unlimited number of times. The statutory limitation applies only to the maximum duration of a single permit issuance. As long as the legal requirements continue to be met, the permit can be extended repeatedly.

The validity period of the work permit is linked to the employment contract. For example, even if the law allows a permit to be issued for up to three years, a permit will only be granted for six months if the employment contract is valid for six months. The duration of the work permit also affects the foreigner's temporary residence permit, which the State Migration Service of Ukraine generally issues for the same period specified in the valid work permit.

The government fee for issuing a work permit for a foreign national is linked to the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons established by Ukrainian law. The exact amount depends on the validity period of the work permit requested.

The fee is payable by the employer, not the foreign employee. After receiving a positive decision from the Employment Center, the employer must pay the applicable government fee within 10 working days. Failure to pay the fee within the prescribed deadline may result in the cancellation of the decision to issue the work permit, meaning that the permit will not become valid until the legal requirements are fulfilled.

Because the subsistence minimum may be revised by the Ukrainian government, the exact fee amounts can change from year to year and should be verified at the time of application.

No, a work permit is not required in this case. Ukrainian legislation regulates the employment of foreign nationals within the territory of Ukraine. If you sign a contract (for example, as a freelancer or gig specialist) and perform your work while residing in your home country, the Ukrainian company is not required to apply to the Employment Center for a work permit.

No. As of 2026, Ukrainian legislation does not require employers to demonstrate that they were unable to find a suitable Ukrainian candidate before hiring a foreign national.

Employers are no longer required to submit mandatory vacancy notifications or wait for the Employment Center to conduct a search for Ukrainian applicants before applying for a foreign employee's work permit. As a result, once an employer has selected a qualified foreign candidate and meets the applicable legal requirements, it may proceed directly with the work permit application process without first conducting a labor market test or proving the absence of available Ukrainian workers.

Ukrainian law provides a number of exceptions. Foreign nationals who may work in Ukraine without a work permit include those who:

• Hold a permanent residence permit in Ukraine (for example, through marriage to a Ukrainian citizen);
• Have officially recognized refugee status or are granted complementary (additional) protection in Ukraine;
• Are employees of foreign airlines, maritime transport companies, or foreign media organizations;
• Enter Ukraine as professional athletes, artists, performers, or other cultural professionals to work within their field of expertise;
• Serve as clergy members, provided they have an official invitation from a registered religious organization;
• Work for branches or representative offices of foreign companies operating in Ukraine, such as Samsung Electronics or Google.

Yes, but there is an important condition. A foreign national may work part-time in multiple positions or for different employers. However, a separate work permit must be obtained by the employer for each position and for each company where the foreigner is employed. Working in a second job without the appropriate additional work permit is not permitted under Ukrainian law.

For the employer, this may result in significant financial penalties imposed by the Ukrainian authorities responsible for labor law enforcement. Employing a foreign national without the required work permit is considered a violation of Ukrainian labor and immigration regulations.

For the foreign employee, the consequences may include administrative liability, cancellation of their legal grounds for stay in Ukraine, and, in serious cases, forced removal (deportation) from the country for violating immigration laws. Their visa or temporary residence permit may also be revoked.

No. Foreign nationals are generally prohibited from holding positions that require Ukrainian citizenship or access to state secrets. Ukrainian law restricts foreigners from serving in certain public-sector roles, including positions within the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, government authorities, ministries, and other state institutions. In addition, foreigners are not permitted to occupy positions that involve access to classified information, state secrets, or activities related to the strategic security and defense interests of Ukraine.

Yes, absolutely. A work permit in Ukraine is issued for a specific employer and a specific job position. If a foreign employee is promoted, transferred to another department, or assigned a different position with new responsibilities, the employer must apply to the Employment Center and obtain a new work permit reflecting the updated position. Working in a position that is not specified in the valid work permit may be considered a violation of Ukrainian labor and immigration regulations.

A Ukrainian Tax Identification Number (TIN), officially known as the Registration Number of the Taxpayer's Registration Card (RNOKPP), is one of the most important documents a foreign national needs when planning to live, work, or conduct business in Ukraine. Without a TIN, a foreigner generally cannot:

• Officially enter into an employment contract and receive salary payments from a Ukrainian employer;
• Open a bank account with a Ukrainian bank;
• Register a company or conduct certain business activities in Ukraine;
• Purchase real estate or complete many other legal and financial transactions.

A TIN can be obtained through the State Tax Service of Ukraine. In many cases, the application may be submitted either personally or through an authorized representative acting under a power of attorney. The registration process is typically completed within 3–5 working days, after which the foreign national receives their unique taxpayer identification number for use in Ukraine.

After obtaining a work permit and entering Ukraine with a Type D visa, a foreign national must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) through the State Migration Service of Ukraine or an authorized Passport Service center.

Application Deadline — The application must be submitted no later than 15 working days before the expiration of the Type D visa or the foreigner's authorized period of stay in Ukraine.

Required Documents — The applicant is generally required to provide:

• A valid passport containing the Type D visa;
• The original work permit;
• A signed employment contract (or employment agreement);
• Valid medical insurance;
• Supporting documents from the employer, where required by law;
• A completed application form.

Validity Period — The Temporary Residence Permit is issued in the form of a plastic ID card and is generally valid for the same period as the underlying work permit. Once issued, the permit serves as the foreign national's primary document confirming their legal temporary residence in Ukraine and allows them to reside in the country throughout the validity period of their employment authorization.

After receiving a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) in the form of a plastic ID card, a foreign national is required to officially register their place of residence in Ukraine. This address may be a rented apartment, privately owned property, a dormitory, or another lawful place of residence. The registration must generally be completed within 30 calendar days after obtaining the residence permit.

Residence registration can be completed through:

• A Center for Administrative Services (CNAP);
• Other authorized registration authorities; or
• Online through the Diia platform, where available, provided that the property owner gives the necessary electronic consent.

Residence registration serves as the official confirmation of the foreigner's address in Ukraine and is an important requirement under Ukrainian migration legislation. Failure to register a place of residence within the prescribed period may result in administrative fines and can create complications in dealings with the migration authorities, including future immigration and residence-related procedures.

If an employment contract is terminated, the employer is required to notify the Employment Center and the State Migration Service of Ukraine within three working days, in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.

As a result, the foreign employee's work permit may be canceled, and the grounds for holding a temporary residence permit based on employment may cease to exist. Consequently, the temporary residence permit may also be revoked or become subject to cancellation.

Following the termination of employment, the foreign national should promptly regularize their immigration status. Depending on the circumstances and current migration regulations, this may involve obtaining a new work permit through another employer, applying for a different legal basis for residence in Ukraine, or leaving Ukraine within the period prescribed by Ukrainian immigration law.

According to Ukrainian labor and currency regulations, salaries paid for employment performed in Ukraine must be paid exclusively in the national currency of Ukraine — the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH). As a general rule, an employer cannot legally pay a foreign employee in U.S. dollars, euros, or another foreign currency for work performed under a Ukrainian employment contract within Ukraine. Salary payments are typically transferred directly to the employee's Ukrainian bank account. The same rules that apply to Ukrainian citizens regarding salary payments, payroll accounting, and tax withholding generally apply to foreign employees who are legally employed in Ukraine.

Yes, absolutely. Foreign nationals are legally allowed to open bank accounts in Ukraine for salary payments and other personal financial transactions.

To do so, a foreigner must first obtain a Ukrainian Tax Identification Number (TIN). Once the TIN has been issued, the foreign national can apply to open a bank account by presenting the required documents, which typically include a valid passport or other identity document, the TIN, and a valid residence permit, if applicable.

After completing the bank's verification procedures, the foreigner can open a bank account and receive salary payments from a Ukrainian employer. Under Ukrainian law, salaries must be paid exclusively in the national currency of Ukraine — the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH).

Yes. Foreign employees working legally in Ukraine are generally subject to the same employment tax rules as Ukrainian citizens. If you are employed under an employment contract, your employer acts as a tax agent and automatically withholds and remits the applicable taxes and contributions from your salary. These typically include:

• Personal Income Tax (PIT) — 18% of taxable income;
• Military Levy — applied at the rate established by Ukrainian legislation in force at the time of payment.

In addition, the employer is required to calculate and pay the Unified Social Contribution (USC/SSC) on behalf of the employee. The standard rate is generally 22% of the employee's salary and is paid separately by the employer. Payment of these taxes and social contributions helps ensure compliance with Ukrainian tax legislation and provides access to applicable social security benefits and other legal employment protections.

Yes. A foreign national may register and operate as a Sole Proprietor (FOP) in Ukraine, provided that they have a legal basis for residing in the country and meet the applicable registration requirements. Unlike employment under a labor contract, operating as a Sole Proprietor does not require a work permit from the Employment Center because the foreigner is conducting their own business activity rather than being employed by a Ukrainian employer.

To register as a Sole Proprietor, a foreign national generally must have a Ukrainian Tax Identification Number, be legally present in Ukraine, and have a registered address in Ukraine that meets the requirements established by Ukrainian legislation.

Once registered, the foreign entrepreneur may choose an appropriate taxation regime, including the simplified taxation system (Single Tax), if they satisfy the eligibility criteria established by Ukrainian tax law — allowing them to provide services, conduct business activities, enter into commercial contracts, and pay taxes independently.

Yes. A foreign national who has obtained a temporary residence permit in Ukraine based on employment generally has the right to be joined by eligible family members, including their spouse and minor children.

Family members may apply for a long-term Type D visa on the grounds of family reunification and, upon arrival in Ukraine, may obtain temporary residence permits linked to the principal foreign worker's legal residence status. In most cases, their residence permits are issued for the same validity period as the principal applicant's permit.

However, a residence permit obtained through family reunification does not automatically grant the right to work in Ukraine. If a spouse or another family member wishes to be employed in Ukraine, they must independently obtain the legal authorization required for employment, including a work permit where applicable.

Employer Notification Obligations — The employer is generally required to notify the Employment Center and the State Migration Service of Ukraine in writing within three working days following the termination of the employment contract.

Cancellation of the Work Permit — Following the termination of employment, the Employment Center may cancel the work permit that served as the basis for the foreigner's legal employment in Ukraine.

Effect on the Temporary Residence Permit — Because the Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is typically issued on the basis of employment, the loss of the employment basis may result in the cancellation or revocation of the residence permit by the migration authorities.

Next Steps for the Foreigner — Once the employment-based residence status ends, the foreign national must promptly regularize their legal status. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve obtaining a new work permit through another employer, applying for a different legal basis for residence, completing residence deregistration procedures where required, or leaving Ukraine within the period permitted by Ukrainian immigration legislation.

For Employers — Employers who hire or use the labor of foreign nationals without the required work authorization may be subject to substantial financial penalties, typically calculated based on multiples of the statutory minimum wage for each foreign worker employed in violation of the law. Employers may also face inspections and administrative liability for non-compliance.

For Foreign Nationals — A foreigner who works without the required work permit, exceeds the authorized period of stay, or remains in Ukraine with an expired visa or residence permit may be held administratively liable. Possible consequences include:

• Administrative fines;
• Cancellation of a visa, work permit, or residence permit;
• A requirement to leave Ukraine;
• Forced return or deportation in serious cases of immigration violations;
• A temporary ban on re-entering Ukraine, which may be imposed for several years depending on the circumstances and severity of the violation.

To avoid these consequences, foreign nationals should ensure that their employment authorization, visa status, residence permit, and registration requirements remain valid throughout their stay in Ukraine.