Exchanging a Permanent Residence Permit in Ukraine: What Foreigners Should Know

A permanent residence permit in Ukraine is a document that confirms a foreigner’s right to live in Ukraine on a permanent basis. However, even this status is not unlimited. To avoid losing it, the document must be exchanged if certain personal data has changed or if its validity period is coming to an end.

In this article, we explain in which situations a residence permit must be exchanged, which documents need to be submitted, how long the procedure takes, and what typical mistakes applicants make.

You might also like: How to Return a Residence Permit and Avoid Violating Migration Rules: Lawyer’s Advice

When a Permanent Residence Permit Must Be Exchanged

A foreign national or a stateless person must apply to the migration service to exchange a permanent residence permit in the following cases:

1. The validity period of the document has expired. Residence permits of the new format are usually issued for 10 years.
2. Personal data has changed, such as last name, first name, citizenship, gender, and similar information. The most common reason is a change of last name due to marriage or divorce.
3. The document is damaged, for example creases or wear that make it impossible to read the information or identify the photo.
4. An error has been found in the information printed on the document.
5. If the residence permit is of the old format and does not contain a contactless electronic chip, it must be exchanged at the age of 25 and 45.

If these changes are ignored, the residence permit may be considered invalid. This leads to problems when crossing the border, when seeking employment, when registering other documents, or when receiving administrative services.

A new residence permit is also issued before the expiration date of the current document if it is lost or stolen.

Which Documents Are Needed to Exchange a Residence Permit

The standard document package includes:

• the foreigner’s passport in original form plus a translation into Ukrainian;
• the residence permit that needs to be exchanged, if it has not been lost;
• a document confirming the reason for the exchange, for example, a marriage certificate or a name change document;
• a receipt confirming payment of the state fee and administrative charge.

If the residence permit was stolen, an additional police certificate confirming the loss of the document must be submitted.

Processing Time and Issuance

The procedure for exchanging a residence permit usually takes up to 15 working days, although in practice the time may vary depending on the region. After the exchange, the foreigner receives a new document in the form of an ID card.

Responsibility for Late Exchange

A late submission may result in an administrative fine. In addition, an expired document does not confirm the legal status of residence, which may cause problems when leaving the country or when applying for documents in Ukraine.

If the exchange is required due to changes in personal data, the documents must be submitted within one month from the date when these changes occurred or from the date the new passport containing the updated data was issued.

If the exchange is carried out because the residence permit is about to expire, the documents must be submitted no later than 15 working days before the expiration date.

Successful case: Immigration Permit and Residence Permit for the Father of a Child Who Is a Citizen of Ukraine

Typical Mistakes Foreigners Make When Exchanging a Permanent Residence Permit

Based on our practice, the most common mistakes include:

• submitting an incomplete document package;
• incorrect translation of the passport or documents related to changes in personal data, for example, without notarization or with discrepancies compared to existing documents, such as the previous residence permit or a name change certificate;
• failing to report the loss of the document to the police;
• missing document validity deadlines;
• incorrectly prepared documents, including those related to obtaining an immigration permit when this permit serves as the legal basis for issuing a permanent residence permit.

To avoid these situations, it is best to work with a migration lawyer who will guide the process from document preparation to receiving the new residence permit.

Please note: If the permanent residence permit was issued more than 10 years ago, it is recommended to carefully review all documents that served as the basis for granting the immigration permit before submitting the exchange application. In many cases, foreigners encounter inconsistencies in data recorded in electronic state registers.

Legal Support for the Procedure of Exchanging a Residence Permit

Exchanging a residence permit for a foreigner living in Ukraine is essential for maintaining a lawful status, the right to reside, work, and receive social protection. Therefore, you should not wait until the document loses its validity. It is better to check the expiration date in advance and renew it on time.

We provide full support for the exchange of a permanent residence permit from start to finish. We:

• advise whether an exchange is truly required in your situation;
• prepare translations of the documents that serve as the basis for the exchange;
• assist with submitting the document package to the migration service;
• monitor the issuance of the new document and assist with updating residence registration records.

Thanks to our experience working with migration authorities, we help clients avoid delays, fines, and refusals.

In addition to exchanging a permanent residence permit, we offer a full range of services for foreigners:

• obtaining or reviewing an immigration permit;
• obtaining a work permit;
• restoring a lost residence permit;
• notarized translations and legalization of documents;
• registration of place of residence;
• obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.

We provide comprehensive legal support for foreigners from legalization of stay to conducting business in Ukraine.

Submit a request and we will handle everything professionally, quickly, and without unnecessary bureaucracy.