Work Permits in Ukraine

There are three types of visas for entering Ukraine that may be relevant to international workers:

• Transit Visa (Type B): For individuals passing through Ukraine, valid for up to five days.
• Short-term Visa (Type C): For those staying in Ukraine for up to 90 days within 180 days.
• Long-term Visa (Type D): For individuals planning to stay in Ukraine for over 90 days and apply for a temporary residence permit.

Common Work Permit Scams in Ukraine

• Fake Work Permits: Fraudsters often provide counterfeit work permits that appear genuine but lack official registration with Ukrainian authorities. Victims may unknowingly use these permits, leading to legal consequences.
• Bogus Job Offers: Scammers advertise fake job openings and require applicants to pay upfront fees for processing permits or securing employment. Once the payment is made, the scammers disappear.
• Unlicensed Agents: Unauthorized intermediaries or agencies claim to handle work permit applications but fail to deliver, leaving applicants without valid documentation or refunds.
• Excessive Fees: Some agents inflate service fees for work permit applications, charging far more than the actual cost while providing minimal assistance.
• Misrepresentation of Job Terms: Fraudsters promise high salaries or ideal job conditions but deliver low-paying or non-existent positions, sometimes leaving workers stranded without legal status.
• Stolen Identity: Scammers may collect personal information under the guise of applying for a work permit and use it for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

• Verify the legitimacy of the employer or agency.
• Work directly with official Ukrainian government services or authorized representatives.
• Avoid upfront payments without proper documentation or receipts.
• Cross-check the work permit’s authenticity with the State Employment Service of Ukraine.
• Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.

The state fee for obtaining a work permit in Ukraine varies based on its validity period:

• 1–3 years: UAH 12,612
• 6 months–1 year: UAH 8,408
• Up to 6 months: UAH 4,204

The employer is responsible for paying the fee once the employment centre approves the application. After the payment is credited to the employment centre's account, the work permit can be issued within three business days.

The average processing time for a work permit in Ukraine is approximately 10 business days from the date of application. However, this timeframe can be extended to up to 30 working days if additional verifications or checks are necessary.

Work permits in Ukraine are issued for employment with a specific company and position. It is the responsibility of the employer to apply for the permit on behalf of the employee. The application process requires the submission of several documents, including:

• A completed application form
• A copy of the employee's passport showing personal details
• A passport-sized colour photograph of the employee
• A copy of the employment contract, certified by the employer
• Documents proving the employer's authority to represent the employee
• Certified copies of higher education certificates for applicants who graduated from the top 100 universities
• Certified copies of documents, copyrights, or related rights for creative professionals
• A copy of the agreement for specific tasks if the employee is sent to Ukraine for a particular activity

For documents issued internationally, they must be properly legalized and translated into Ukrainian to meet local requirements.

A work permit in Ukraine is mandatory for foreign nationals to work legally in the country. However, there are specific exceptions to this requirement:

• Ukrainian citizens are exempt and do not require a work permit.
• Foreign nationals who invest, conduct economic or business activities, or register as sole proprietors are also not required to obtain a work permit.

On the other hand, foreigners appointed as the head of a legal entity in which they have ownership or participation must secure a work permit to work lawfully in this capacity.

Our verification service safeguards you against work permit scams by confirming the authenticity of your permit through official channels. Here’s how the process works:

• Document Submission: Submit your work permit along with any relevant supporting documents.
• Authenticity Verification: We conduct a thorough check using official databases and collaborations with government authorities.
• Results: Within 3–5 business days, you’ll receive a comprehensive report verifying your permit’s validity or identifying any discrepancies.