Visa
Visa requiredCurrency
Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)Phone code
+380Language
UkrainianCar traffic
Right-handCovid
There are no COVID restrictionsInsurance policy
Insurance policy is requiredMinimum passport validity
at least 6 monthsVisa
Visa requiredCurrency
Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)Phone code
+380Language
UkrainianCar traffic
Right-handCovid
There are no COVID restrictionsInsurance policy
Insurance policy is requiredMinimum passport validity
at least 6 monthsWork permit
How to start a business as a foreigner in Ukraine
Foreigners and stateless persons who arrive in Ukraine for employment for a specified period of time are hired by employers on the basis of a work permit for foreigners and stateless persons.
In turn, the work permit is the basis for obtaining the appropriate type of Ukrainian visa and temporary residence permit in Ukraine, which is valid for the period of validity of the work permit.
Who does not need to obtain a work permit
The following persons do not need to obtain a work permit in Ukraine:
- foreign citizens or stateless persons who have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine
- employees of foreign representative offices in Ukraine
- in case of participation of foreign citizens or stateless persons in the implementation of international technical assistance projects in Ukraine
- in other cases stipulated by the Ukrainian legislation.
Validity period of the work permit
As a rule, a work permit is issued for a period of up to one year. For special categories of foreigners and foreign seconded workers, a work permit is issued for a period of up to three years.
Work permits may be issued for shorter periods, which must be specified by employers in the application.
💡 Important: If you need legal assistance or full legal support from a lawyer on entering Ukraine, starting a business in the country, registering companies, opening a bank account - you can order a consultation with a qualified lawyer on the Visit Ukraine website. Our experienced specialists will provide an individual approach to everyone and help in any force majeure situations.
Documents required
The following documents are required to obtain a work permit:
- application
- a notarized copy of the foreigner's passport with its translation into Ukrainian
- one color photo;
- a copy of the draft employment agreement (contract) with the foreigner, certified by the employer.
For the employment of certain categories of foreigners, the employer shall additionally submit the following documents
- a copy of a foreign citizen's diploma (for graduates of universities included in the top hundred in world university rankings)
- notarized copies of documents identifying the object of copyright and/or related rights of the author and certifying authorship (for foreign workers in creative professions)
- a copy of the agreement (contract) concluded between a Ukrainian and a foreign company, which provides for the use of labor of foreigners and stateless persons sent by a foreign employer to Ukraine to perform a certain amount of work (for seconded foreign employees);
- a decision of the foreign company to transfer the employee to work in Ukraine and a copy of the transfer contract concluded with him/her, indicating the period of work in Ukraine (for internal corporate assignees).
Please see ❗️
Health insurance is an important part of ensuring that your health is taken care of. In Ukraine, as in many other countries, health insurance plays a significant role in ensuring access to quality medical services.
In order to ensure that a trip to Ukraine during the war is safe and does not carry additional risks, it is important to take out reliable insurance that will cover not only basic medical services, diagnostics and treatment, but also the risks associated with a full-scale invasion of Russia. You can take out reliable insurance that will guarantee compensation in case of traumatic injuries, accidents, and death as a result of military operations on the Visit Ukraine website. There are no age restrictions, and both minors and elderly people over 70 can take out insurance.
Choose insurance that will give you peace of mind during your stay in Ukraine.
Note: All documents issued abroad must be apostilled (or legalized) after their notarization and then translated into Ukrainian.
The decision on issuing a work permit in Ukraine is made by the relevant employment service of Ukraine within 7 working days, and in case of extension of the work permit - within 3 working days. Ukrainian legislation does not set a limit on the number of work permits in Ukraine. The application for extension of the work permit must be submitted no later than 20 calendar days before the expiration of the work permit in Ukraine.
In addition, a foreigner must obtain a type C visa (if the work is for up to three months) or a type D visa (if the work is for more than three months).
According to the Law of Ukraine, non-resident foreign citizens have the right to conduct business in Ukraine.
Even despite the war, more and more businesses have been started and are developing in the country.
Business immigration to Ukraine: how to get a residence permit
A businessman can be granted a temporary residence permit in Ukraine in two cases
- on the basis of a work permit;
- on the basis of investments in the country's economy in the amount equal to or exceeding EUR 100,000 thousand (in this case, the foreigner has grounds for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Ukraine).
Usually, foreign nationals choose the first option: when planning a business in Ukraine, they first obtain a work permit and a temporary residence permit, and only then start their business.
A foreigner registers a company with a much smaller capital according to the charter, becomes its director or chooses another position using a work permit, and receives a three-year residence permit. During the three years, they have the opportunity to develop their business and prepare documents for immigration.
🔑 Tip: if you need to register a sole proprietorship, but do not have enough time to study all the details, use comprehensive legal support.
💼 Our team of professionals knows how important it is to register a sole proprietorship correctly, because it determines the future of your business. We are ready to take care of all the worries and difficulties of this process so that you can concentrate on your business.
We provide full support and advice so that you can be sure of your safety. Follow the link to get a legal consultation.
Opening a legal entity for foreigners in Ukraine
Find out what you need to know before starting a business in Ukraine for a foreigner here.
The main step on the way to business immigration is to set up your own company, or open a legal entity for foreigners. The procedure is quite simple and transparent, almost no different from the usual registration, and has its own nuances in the preparation of documents due to the status of the founder - a citizen of another state.
Important!
A foreigner becomes a founder of a company, but cannot be its director, as he or she does not yet have a work permit. Such a permit can be obtained only if the company is registered and has a director. Therefore, a Ukrainian is temporarily appointed as a director, with whom an agreement is concluded for a certain period of time, and who will sign documents on behalf of the legal entity.
It should be noted that the grounds for legalizing a stay in Ukraine and obtaining a temporary residence permit are work permits, not business start-ups. That is, a temporary residence permit is issued on the basis of employment. To do this:
- a newly established company applies for a work permit for its founder;
- after the foreigner receives the permit, the company's director is changed.
💡 Important! If you need legal assistance or full legal support from a lawyer on entering Ukraine, starting a business in the country, registering companies, opening a bank account, you can order a consultation with a qualified lawyer on the Visit Ukraine website.
Our experienced specialists will provide an individual approach to everyone and help in any force majeure situations. By ordering a consultation on starting a business in Ukraine, lawyers can help you with such issues as:
- business registration in Ukraine;
- conducting business in Ukraine and entering the Ukrainian market;
- registration of LLCs and sole proprietorships in Ukraine;
- Preparation of the necessary package of documents for registration of an LLC or a sole proprietorship;
- obtaining an individual tax number;
- choosing the optimal form of organization, business registration, as well as choosing the form of the company's activity;
- preparation of the company's constituent documents;
- immigration to Ukraine on the basis of business, etc.
Order the required service by following this link.
The main stages of legalization of a foreigner's stay in Ukraine to start a business:
1. Execution of a power of attorney to represent the interests of a foreigner in the authorities.
2. Registration of a legal entity. Registration of a company for foreigners, as well as for citizens of Ukraine, is subject to the availability of a notarized Charter and other constituent documents.
3. Obtaining a work permit for the owner of the company. A work permit for a foreigner is issued for a period of 3 years. The package of documents includes an application, a passport for presentation and a notarized copy in Ukrainian, a 3.5×4.5 cm photograph, and a copy of the employment contract certified by the employer.
4. Obtaining a type D visa. The D-04 visa is granted to citizens of other countries for employment, and a business immigrant uses the visa validity period to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit.
5. Obtaining a temporary residence permit for 3 years. The package of documents, in addition to the passport of a foreign citizen and its notarized translation into Ukrainian, contains an insurance policy and the charter of the company founded by a foreigner.
6. Obtaining a TIN for a foreigner. To obtain a tax number for a foreigner, you need to apply to the local office of the State Tax Service with a package of documents - an application, a passport and a copy with a Ukrainian translation, as well as a temporary or permanent residence permit.
7. Registration of the residence address. The procedure involves entering information into the Unified Demographic Register with an address for correspondence and delivery of correspondence. Only one address is indicated, even if the person lives in several places. The registration data is included in the residence permit, both temporary and permanent.
Please note!
Most of the stages, such as preparation of constituent documents, company registration and change of management, notarization of documents, and obtaining a work permit, can be done even without the physical presence of a foreigner in Ukraine. To do this, a power of attorney with signature rights must be issued for representatives in Ukraine. It is best to execute such a power of attorney at the Ukrainian consulate, which will help to avoid the procedure of legalizing the document and translating it into Ukrainian. Thus, a foreigner can prepare the "basis" for his/her stay in Ukraine while still in his/her home country.
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Documents for registering a company by a foreigner
In order to register a company in Ukraine, a foreign national must provide a certain set of documents. These documents are slightly different in cases where the foreigner is an individual and when he is a legal entity.
When registering a foreigner as a sole proprietor, the following documents must be submitted
- a copy of the passport of the LLC owner;
- a copy of the taxpayer identification number card;
- a list of planned activities of the company;
- contact details of the foreigner - an individual;
- a notarized power of attorney for registration of documents and signing of the charter for a legal entity.
A foreigner - legal entity must submit the following documents
- a copy of the passport and a copy of the taxpayer identification number of the LLC director and chief accountant;
- a copy of the charter of a non-resident legal entity (a copy must be notarized);
- a copy of the registration document (a copy must also be notarized);
- a copy of the document certifying the authority of the official (notarized);
- a notarized power of attorney for the right to sign the statutory documents and perform other operations related to the company's registration;
- a document certifying the location of the legal entity.