Today, there are a large number of foreign volunteers in Ukraine who help military personnel and those affected by the war. Find out what a volunteer needs to obtain a temporary residence permit in Ukraine and how to apply

Legal assistance on migration issues

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In order to legally stay on the territory of Ukraine, a foreign citizen or stateless person must have appropriate grounds and documents confirming the right to temporary or permanent residence. Volunteering may be one of such grounds. 

We will tell you which volunteers are eligible for a residence permit in Ukraine and what is required to apply for it in the article below.

How can a volunteer obtain a residence permit in Ukraine?

A temporary residence permit can be obtained by foreigners or stateless persons who are legally residing in Ukraine. A temporary residence permit entitles a foreigner to stay in the country for more than 90 days.

Foreigners applying for a temporary residence permit on the basis of volunteering must be persons who have reached the age of 16 and arrived in Ukraine at the invitation of a volunteer organization in order to participate in international/regional volunteer programs or to participate in the activities of volunteer organizations registered in Ukraine in accordance with the established procedure.

What documents are required to obtain a temporary residence permit in Ukraine?

A temporary residence permit for volunteers is issued for a period of 1 year. Documents for obtaining a residence permit must be submitted within a clearly defined period of time - 15 days before the end of the visa. The period for reviewing the application and making a decision is 15 working days from the date of acceptance of the documents by the relevant authority. 

In order to obtain a residence permit, a foreigner must submit an application in the prescribed form. He/she must also have the following set of documents:

1. Original passport of the foreigner with a visa;

2. A duly certified translation of the foreigner's passport;

3. Health insurance policy;

4. Receipts of payment of the administrative fee;

5. Application of a volunteer organization that engages volunteers (foreigners and stateless persons) in its activities in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On Volunteer Activity";

6. Original and copy of the certificate (extract) of registration of such a volunteer organization.

The documents and the application itself must be submitted by a foreigner to one of the units of the State Migration Service. The application can be submitted in person or in the presence of a representative.

Please note! According to Ukrainian legislation, foreigners and stateless persons may enter Ukraine provided they have an insurance policy (certificate) for the entire period of stay in Ukraine issued by an insurance company registered in Ukraine or a foreign insurance company that has a representative office or contractual relationship with an insurance company - partner in Ukraine (assistance). You can take out insurance that complies with the current legislation of Ukraine and covers war-related risks on our website.

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Reasons for refusal: who can be denied a residence permit?

Sometimes a foreigner may be refused a residence permit. This can happen for the following reasons: 

● Incorrect filling of documents;

● The person has overstayed in the country;

● The person has violated the deadlines for submitting documents;

● The person has provided false information about himself/herself;

● The person threatens the order and safety of Ukrainian citizens;

Obtaining a temporary residence permit on the basis of volunteering is not difficult, but the procedure requires a clear sequence, knowledge of Ukrainian legislation, compliance with the period of stay in the country and other nuances. Therefore, we recommend that you seek legal assistance from specialists.

Visit Ukraine's lawyers have extensive experience and are ready to provide turnkey legal assistance in obtaining a temporary residence permit. Our specialists will advise you on all issues, help you collect the necessary documents within the established deadlines (including the preparation of documents from a volunteer organization and translation of foreigner's documents), and explain all the legal nuances of the legislation to make it easier for you to navigate state procedures even if you do not know Ukrainian. To order legal support, please follow the link. For advice on other migration issues, please click here.

Thank you for choosing us!

We remind you! Since the beginning of the war, hundreds of people have come to Ukraine to help and bring victory closer together with Ukrainians. Read more about how to become a volunteer in Ukraine during the war and what you need to do in our previous article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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