Refusal of Immigration Permit to Ukraine

Registering an immigration permit is one of the first steps for a foreign national planning to reside permanently in Ukraine. Based on this permit, a permanent residence permit is issued and, if necessary, Ukrainian citizenship can be pursued.

Unfortunately, in practice, there are cases where an immigration permit is denied, which can pose a serious obstacle to the foreigner’s plans. In this article, we’ll explore why immigration refusals occur, how to prevent them, and what to do if a negative decision is issued.

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Why Can an Immigration Permit Be Denied?

The decision to deny an immigration permit to Ukraine is made by the territorial unit of the State Migration Service, and in certain cases, by the State Migration Service of Ukraine itself.

The law defines an exhaustive list of documents that must be submitted along with the application for an immigration permit. If a foreign national fails to submit all the required documents with the application, the request will not be considered. In other words, no decision will be made on it. Accordingly, the applicant has the right to properly prepare the documents and correct any deficiencies.

If migration service officers identify circumstances that may serve as grounds for denying the issuance of an immigration permit to Ukraine, or grounds for its revocation or invalidation, the foreign national will receive a decision either refusing the immigration permit or revoking or invalidating an already granted permit.

Upon receiving any of these decisions, the individual has the right to reapply for an immigration permit no earlier than one year later. In this case, the entire set of documents must be prepared from scratch, as previously submitted documents are not returned. For this reason, it is advisable to involve a qualified migration lawyer at the document preparation stage, as they can help avoid such risks.

Therefore, what may serve as grounds for being denied an immigration permit includes:

1. having a criminal record in Ukraine that has not been expunged or annulled;
2. being diagnosed with infectious diseases identified by the Ministry of Health (such as tuberculosis), as well as drug addiction, substance abuse, or chronic alcoholism;

It is important to note that the first two grounds do not apply to foreign nationals applying for immigration based on marriage to a Ukrainian citizen, having a child or parents who are Ukrainian citizens, or to individuals eligible for Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin and who are applying for an immigration permit on that basis.

3. having a conviction for a serious crime or being under investigation for a criminal offense, including outside of Ukraine;

4. being subject to criminal or administrative liability for illegal border crossing or unlawful entry/exit to or from occupied territories;
5. submitting falsified documents or false information;
6. lack of legal grounds for staying in Ukraine at the time of submitting the immigration permit application;
7. expiration or termination of documents submitted for the immigration permit during the review process by the migration service. For example, a divorce in cases where the basis for the permit was a marriage of over two years, or loss of parental rights over a child who is a Ukrainian citizen;
8. a marriage found to be fictitious, which the foreign national intended to use as the basis for obtaining an immigration permit;
9. failure to submit all documents required by law for obtaining an immigration permit, or failure to correct deficiencies within the time frame specified in the decision to leave the application without consideration. This includes missing properly certified and translated documents, or failure to provide an apostille or legalization when required;
10. an existing ban on entry into Ukraine;
11. outstanding financial obligations according to court rulings or decisions of state authorities (including unpaid administrative fines, child support, reimbursement for prior deportation from Ukraine, etc.);
12. the immigration quota has been exhausted. In cases of mass arrival of immigrants to Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers may establish quotas for specific categories of migrants—that is, the number of foreign nationals or stateless persons who may obtain an immigration permit based on a particular ground. Once the set quota is filled, all remaining applicants will be denied an immigration permit to Ukraine.

What to Do If You’ve Been Denied an Immigration Permit

The territorial unit of the State Migration Service or the SMS of Ukraine issues a decision on an immigration application within six months. If the application was submitted through a consular office abroad, the review period may extend up to one year. The final decision is sent to the applicant.

If you receive a denial of your immigration permit, the notice will include the specific grounds for the refusal, citing the relevant article and clause of the Law of Ukraine "On Immigration."

There can be various reasons for denial. To better understand the reasoning behind the refusal, the applicable legal grounds, and the procedures and deadlines for appealing the decision, we recommend consulting a migration lawyer. They can assess your situation, evaluate the chances of a successful appeal, and help prepare the complaint and all necessary documents.

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How to Avoid a Denial During the Preparation Stage

A foreign national who wants to obtain an immigration permit without unnecessary risks should:

• verify whether they meet one of the legal grounds for immigration as defined by Ukrainian legislation;
• consult with a migration lawyer and provide as much complete and accurate information about themselves as possible;
• develop a clear action plan with the lawyer, set timelines, analyze potential risks, and minimize them;
• prepare all documents in full compliance with the requirements set by the migration service.

Why You Should Consult a Lawyer

In practice, the immigration process to Ukraine is rarely straightforward. Government authorities conduct thorough checks, and even a minor error or an incorrectly chosen legal basis can nullify all efforts. Without legal support, it's like navigating a foreign country without a map.

Foreign nationals are often denied an immigration permit simply because their documents were prepared incorrectly or they chose the wrong legal basis for immigration. People sometimes act on instinct or follow generic advice found online. But every case is unique.

For example, when multiple grounds are available, there’s a risk of choosing an inefficient path to obtaining an immigration permit. In our practice, there was a case where a client—whose father was born in Ukraine—decided to apply for an immigration permit as a highly qualified specialist, thinking it was a more “reliable” basis. It was only thanks to a timely consultation with a professional lawyer that he was able to understand the risks and advantages of each option and see the full picture: legally, the family connection was a simpler and more advantageous ground.

By contacting us, the client not only saved significant time and money but also avoided the risk of being denied.

Even when everything seems clear, consulting a lawyer with years of experience in migration services allows you not only to verify your actions but also to uncover alternative options that often go unnoticed without professional insight. The conclusion is obvious: without expert support, even a seemingly “straightforward” case can end in denial.

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Comprehensive Legal Support for Immigration to Ukraine

It’s important to understand: even genuine family ties or substantial investments in Ukraine’s economy do not guarantee a successful immigration permit. Everything is decided at the stage of legal processing. This is where most cases either succeed or come to a halt.

We are a team that turns a complex immigration procedure into a predictable process. In immigration matters, there are no small details—and we know that well. Over the years, we’ve helped dozens of foreign nationals from various countries successfully navigate the path to legal relocation to Ukraine through family connections, business, investment, volunteering, or employment.

Our immigration lawyer provides full legal support, including:

• Choosing the most effective legal basis. We analyze your situation and legal status, offering not a general solution, but a personalized approach that takes into account all legal and practical nuances—so that immigration to Ukraine becomes a realistic goal for you.
• Preparing the document package. All certificates, translations, and legalizations are carefully checked, professionally prepared, and certified in accordance with the requirements of the State Migration Service of Ukraine.
• Assessing risks from the start. We don’t submit documents blindly. If we identify risks, we notify you and suggest ways to avoid them.
• Representation before the State Migration Service. From application submission to final decision, you’re not alone. We accompany the process, communicate with officials, and ensure your rights are respected.
• Appealing denials. If the State Migration Service issues a negative decision, we have experience defending our clients' interests both through administrative procedures and in court. And yes, we know how to act strategically to successfully challenge a denial of immigration to Ukraine.

Want to find out which immigration option will be most effective for you, or are you ready to begin the process? Submit a request and we’ll explain, guide, and take care of the process.