Can a Foreigner Change Employers in Ukraine with an Existing Work Permit?

Changing employers in Ukraine can be a real challenge for a foreign employee and for the company as well. Many mistakenly believe that having a valid work permit automatically gives the right to switch to another employer.

In fact, a work permit in Ukraine is always tied to a specific employer, and violating this rule can lead to loss of legal status, fines, or delays in employment.

In this article, we explain what you need to know about changing employers when you already have a valid work permit, what restrictions apply, and why it is crucial to follow the established procedure. This information will be useful both for foreigners planning to change jobs and for companies looking to avoid unnecessary risks and ensure compliant employment.

Successful case: Extending a Foreign Employee’s Work Permit and Residence Permit in Ukraine

Validity of a Work Permit and Its Link to the Employer

A work permit for a foreigner in Ukraine is the key to legal employment and peace of mind for the employer. It is issued for a specific employer and a specific position, meaning it is not a universal document that can be transferred from one company to another.

Even if a foreign employee already has a valid work permit, they cannot work for a different employer without obtaining a new one. Why is this important? The system is designed to:

• ensure compliance with labor and migration regulations;
• protect the rights of foreign workers;
• shield employers from fines and legal risks.

Any attempt to switch to a new employer without securing a new permit is considered a violation of the law and may lead to serious consequences:

• fines for the company – typically 20 minimum monthly wages;
• cancellation of the existing work permit;
• cancellation of the residence permit.

When a New Work Permit Is Required

A new work permit in Ukraine is required whenever a foreign national begins working for a different company, even if the companies belong to the same corporate group. If only certain employment conditions change, for example, the job title, these updates can be made to the existing permit.

This allows the foreign employee to continue working legally without applying for a completely new document, preserving their lawful status and saving time and resources. However, all changes must be properly documented and submitted to the Employment Center on time; even small discrepancies or delays can complicate a foreigner’s legal stay in Ukraine.

Practical tips for foreign employees and companies:

1. Verify that the job matches the permit. Before signing an employment contract, make sure the open position corresponds to the worker category specified in the active permit (this is equally important for new permits).
2. Plan ahead. Start the process of changing employers or applying for a new work permit before ending employment with the previous company to avoid gaps in legal employment status.
3. Monitor submission deadlines. Every step, from applying for a new permit to signing the employment contract, must be completed within legally defined deadlines.
4. Track financial and administrative requirements. Make sure all payments, fees, and notifications are completed correctly and documented to avoid refusals during the work-permit process.
5. Stay updated on legislation. Employment rules for foreigners may change, so monitor new resolutions and regulations to avoid violations when switching employers.

You might also like: List of Documents Required to Obtain or Extend a Work Permit for Foreign Nationals

Full Support for Foreigners and Companies During an Employer Change

Changing jobs in Ukraine is not just an HR issue for a foreigner; it is a legally regulated process. Any attempt to move to another company without obtaining a new work permit can lead to serious consequences.

For foreign employees, it is essential to have confidence that the transition to a new employer is fully compliant with the law, without interruptions in employment, and with complete control over the documentation. For companies, the priority is minimizing risks: fines, work-permit refusals, and issues with employment compliance.

With the right legal support, all of these risks can be reduced to zero. We provide full oversight of the entire process:

• preparing and submitting documents;
• monitoring deadlines and ensuring compliance with all requirements;
• correctly drafting employment contracts and any necessary amendments to the work permit.

Our lead attorney has over 10 years of experience working within the State Migration Service, and we know exactly which documents are required and what the authorities check. This enables foreign employees to transition safely to a new workplace and gives companies confidence that everything is done legally and correctly.

Planning to change employers or apply for a work permit? Contact us – proper legal support reduces risks and ensures peace of mind for everyone involved.