Work permit obtainment for foreigner in Kiev (Ukraine)

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Ukraine stands at 7,100 UAH per month and 42.6 UAH per hour for hourly wages. From April 1, 2024, it will increase to 8,000 UAH per month and 48 UAH per hour for hourly wages. As for foreign specialists employed under a gig contract, separate terms of payment apply. In these cases, it's best to consult with our lawyers, who can help calculate and properly formalize the payments.

The cost of a work permit for large groups of foreign employees (Ukraine business visa)

To work in Ukraine, foreigners must first apply for a work permit visa. If the employment contract is extended, it is necessary to extend the work permit as well. In addition to the services mentioned in the above packages, we also offer services for obtaining a Work Permit for large groups of foreign employees.

The cost of these services is negotiable and the package includes:

• Establishment of a company for the employment of employees

One of the key costs incurred by applicants for a work permit for foreign nationals is the official fee for issuing such a permit. Its amount depends on the period of the permit. The calculation is made using the subsistence minimum as of January 1 of the year in which the documents are submitted. In 2024, the subsistence minimum is set at 3,028 UAH.

Thus, the state fee for a work permit for foreign citizens in Ukraine is:

• For durations of less than 6 months, the minimum wage is set at 3 times the subsistence minimum (9,084 UAH);
• For durations from 6 months to one year, it is 5 times the subsistence minimum (15,140 UAH);
• For durations from one year to 2 years, it is 8 times the subsistence minimum (24,224 UAH);
• For durations from two years to 3 years, it is 10 times the subsistence minimum (30,280 UAH).

The fee for extending the permit shall be reduced by 1 subsistence minimum for issuing the permit for the corresponding period.

The permit is issued and extended at no additional cost fo the following persons:

1) persons whose documents for recognition as a refugee or a person in need of complementary protection have been accepted (or persons who appeal against the refusal),

2) foreigners who arrived in Ukraine to study at a university and intend to work in Ukraine during the period of study and after graduation;

3) persons who have applied for recognition as a stateless person and persons who appeal against the refusal to recognize them as stateless persons;

4) persons who participated in repulsing and deterring the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Important updates in the procedure and regulations for obtaining Work Permits in Ukraine since 2023

• For citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, an additional check is carried out by the SBU;
• One employer can combine positions without a separate work permit for each of the positions;
• Gig-specialists, too, must now obtain a work permit;
• The period of permission for employment under an employment contract or gig contract is now up to 2 years;
• The permit fee has been increased for today: from 6 months to 1 year (inclusive) - UAH 13,429; from 1 year to 2 years (inclusive) - UAH 21,472;
• In case of refusal, funds can only be returned to the account of the LLC and only within 10 days;
• You can get a duplicate permit in case of loss of a work permit in Ukraine for an employee;
• Making changes to the work permit in Ukraine is possible within a month from the date of occurrence of the grounds;
• You can extend a work permit in Ukraine no earlier than 50 days and later than 20 calendar days after its expiration;
• Not later than 90 days from the date of receipt of the permit, it is necessary to conclude an employment contract and start paying ERUs, previously it was only about concluding a contract. At the same time, non-payment of ERUs within 2 months may serve as a basis for canceling a work permit for a foreigner in Ukraine.

Employment law in Ukraine requires companies to follow strict procedures when hiring foreigners. Obtaining a work visa in Ukraine involves submitting various documents, including proof of employment and a valid passport, to the Ukrainian consulate. Given that the work permit is obtained for a foreign citizen, but the applicant is a company (entrepreneur) - employer, the documents that need to be gathered for a permit can be divided into 2 categories:

1) A natural person:

• 1 color photo (3.5x4.5);
• Translation of the foreigner's passport document into Ukrainian (certified by a notary).

2) A legal person:

• power of attorney from a legal entity for the specialists of our company;
• the draft employment agreement (contract) or gig contract with a foreigner.

In addition, other documents are provided for certain categories of foreign employees:

• a copy of the foreign economic agreement (contract) between the Ukrainian and foreign business entities, and a copy of the document confirming the employment relationship of the foreign employee with the foreign employer who seconded him/her (for seconded foreign employees);
• a copy of the decision of a foreign business entity on the transfer of a foreigner or stateless person to work in Ukraine (for intra-corporate assignees);
• a copy of the order of the higher education institution of Ukraine on enrollment and establishment of periods of study for a foreign student, written consent of the university regarding the employment of a foreign student and the obligations of the institution, a copy of the temporary residence permit; a copy of the higher education document,
• other documents.

Employers, please note! Starting from January 24, 2023, updated application forms for obtaining and extending Work Permits for foreigners and stateless persons are in effect. In case of the wrong application form, the Employment Center has the right to suspend consideration of the documents and in case of failure to eliminate errors - to reject the permit.

The full list of documents for obtaining a work permit in Ukraine is as follows:

• application - prepared by our lawyers and submitted on behalf of the employer. The application shall specify that the work for which a foreign specialist is required is not related to state secrets, and also depends on the employee's citizenship of Ukraine;
• document confirming the identity of the foreigner - a notarized copy with a certified translation into Ukrainian. Our lawyers will arrange both translation and notarization;
• 3.5 x 4.5 cm color photo of the employee;
• the draft employment agreement (contract) or gig contract with the employee;
• receipt of payment of the state fee;
• power of attorney for a representative - our lawyers prepare a draft power of attorney,
• if necessary, other documents, drafts of which will be prepared by our lawyers.