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.