The procedure for processing documents for permanent residence abroad for Ukrainian citizens who have left temporarily differs from the procedure for leaving for permanent residence. Find out about the required documents, processing time and possible grounds for refusal

Legal advice on migration issues

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People often travel abroad with temporary intentions, but later decide to stay in another country. In order to legally reside abroad and retain all the rights of a Ukrainian citizen, it is important to properly formalize your status.

What is the procedure for permanent residence abroad?

As a rule, when a person knows that he or she is leaving for a long time or permanently, when moving, he or she formalizes leaving Ukraine for permanent residence abroad. However, Ukrainian citizens often travel abroad for a temporary purpose, but later decide to stay there permanently. It is important to understand that the mere fact of a long stay outside of Ukraine does not make a person a permanent resident abroad. For this purpose, it is necessary to undergo a special legalization procedure.

The main differences from leaving for permanent residence

1. The decision-making body:

– To leave for permanent residence - the State Migration Service;

– For leaving - a foreign diplomatic mission.

2. Terms of consideration:

– Departure for permanent residence - up to 3 months;

– Stay - can last up to 1 year.

Advantages of formalizing permanent residence abroad

Legalization of permanent residence abroad provides Ukrainian citizens with the following opportunities:

● Register with the consular office of Ukraine

● Apply for and renew a foreign passport through an embassy

● Exercise voting rights and vote abroad

● Receive social protection

● Receive legal support from diplomatic missions

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Registration procedure: step-by-step instructions

First of all, you need to apply to a foreign diplomatic mission of Ukraine (embassy or consulate) in the country of residence and provide the necessary documents.

Step 1: Submission of documents

To apply for permanent residence abroad, you must submit the following documents:

● An application in the prescribed form

● A valid foreign passport

● Color photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm)

● Internal passport of a citizen of Ukraine

● Certificate of TIN assignment

● Receipt of payment of the consular fee

Note: Persons over 16 years of age submit documents on their own, children under 16 years of age - by their legal representatives.

How to apply for a foreign passport outside Ukraine in 2024 and what men should do if their Ukrainian passport expires abroad were described in our previous articles.

Step 2: Verification of documents

After accepting the documents, the diplomatic institution conducts checks through:

● The Security Service of Ukraine

● The State Migration Service of Ukraine

Step 3: Deregistration

After receiving a positive decision within 6 months, you need to provide a document on deregistration of your residence in Ukraine. This can be:

● A stamp in your internal passport confirming deregistration

● Certificate of deregistration (for ID-card holders)

Please note! In order to deregister in Ukraine, you must come to the country in person or issue a power of attorney for another person. Failure to submit a supporting document within the specified period is grounds for canceling the decision to stay abroad for permanent residence.

Step 4: Completion of the procedure

The final step is:

● Affixing the stamp “permanent residence” in the passport

● Obtaining a certificate of completion of documents

Who can be denied permanent residence abroad and why?

A foreign diplomatic institution may refuse to process documents if:

● The applicant has access to state secrets

● A preventive measure with a ban on traveling abroad has been applied to a citizen

● The person has a criminal record

● There are unfulfilled obligations or court decisions

● The person is under police surveillance

● There are objections from the Security Service of Ukraine

Need advice on migration issues?

Experienced lawyers of Visit Ukraine:

● Advise on the procedure for processing documents

● Explain all the nuances of the process

● Help you avoid common mistakes

● Provide individualized recommendations for your situation

Contact our specialists via this link to get professional advice!

Please note: although the deregistration procedure can be carried out remotely, our lawyers do not provide deregistration services by power of attorney.

We remind you! Registration of a place of residence abroad is carried out for the purpose of accounting and providing security guarantees to citizens. Read how to register for temporary consular registration and what obligations foreign diplomatic missions have in relation to those who have registered their place of residence in our previous article.

Photo: Kiwistocks / Freepik

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