Ukraine permanent residence through an immigration permit

The Cabinet of Ministers sets yearly quotas for scientists and cultural figures whose immigration serves Ukraine's interests; highly skilled specialists and workers in fields where the economy needs them; foreign investors who invested at least USD 100,000 in convertible currency, registered under the government procedure; full siblings, grandparents and grandchildren of Ukrainian citizens; former Ukrainian citizens; parents, spouses and minor children of immigrants; people who lived in Ukraine for three years after being recognised as victims of human trafficking; and people who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for three years or more.

Without any quota, the permit goes to the spouse of a Ukrainian citizen married for more than two years, to children and parents of Ukrainian citizens, to guardians and wards of Ukrainian citizens, to people entitled to citizenship by territorial origin, to people whose immigration is in Ukraine's national interest, and to foreign Ukrainians with their spouses and children who enter and stay together.

Applicants living abroad go to the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in their country of permanent residence; people legally in Ukraine go to the State Migration Service unit where they live. The application is personal; in exceptional cases such as illness or natural disaster it can be sent by mail or through a person with notarised authority. Legal representatives apply for minors. The permit is collected at the place of application, in person or by registered mail.

Applications filed in Ukraine are decided within 183 calendar days and cost UAH 1,664; through a mission the decision can take up to 365 days and a consular fee applies. The State Migration Service states that the immigration permit is valid for one year from issue, so the permanent residence permit card should be applied for within that year.

Refusal grounds include an unexpunged prison sentence of more than one year, war crimes or crimes against humanity, pending serious charges, chronic substance dependence or listed infectious diseases, false information or forged documents, an entry ban and a sham marriage. A complaint can be filed with the State Migration Service within two months; it is reviewed within one month. Court action is possible within six months, or three months after the complaint. A new application can be made one year after a refusal.