Extension of Work Permit and Residence Permit for Foreigners in Ukraine

Ukrainian company executives who employ foreign citizens or stateless persons understand how important proper legal processing is for ensuring the lawful stay and employment of such workers.

If your team includes foreign employees, they are a tremendous asset and value. But at the same time, they present a significant legal challenge. Failing to meet migration and labor law requirements can result in serious consequences for both the foreign worker and the employer, including:

• administrative liability;
• cancellation of permits;
• an entry ban to Ukraine;
• fines, and in some cases, even the loss of contracts and partnerships if the foreign employee is a key specialist in your collaboration.

Employers should pay special attention to the timely renewal of authorization documents both for employing a foreigner and for obtaining a temporary residence permit, since properly prepared paperwork means minimal risk and maximum peace of mind.

In this article, we’ll cover the key aspects of these procedures, taking into account recent changes, including those brought about by martial law in Ukraine. We’ll walk you through a real-life case and provide a clear answer: how to do everything right the first time without stress or delays.

You might also like: Urgent Renewal of a Foreigner’s Work Permit: Is It Possible?

Procedure for Extending a Foreigner’s Work Permit

To extend a foreign employee’s work permit, the employer must submit a timely application to the relevant regional Employment Center. It’s crucial not to miss the submission deadlines (which we’ll outline below). If they are missed, the process will have to start from scratch, requiring a new work permit to be obtained.

The document package for extending a work permit includes:

1. The original or a copy of the current work permit (submitted so that the new validity date can be entered into the permit).
2. A 3.5 x 4.5 cm photograph.
3. A receipt for payment of the administrative fee.
4. A power of attorney from the employer (if the documents are submitted by a representative).

Please note! According to the requirements established by law, a work permit for employing foreigners can only be extended if it is still valid at the time of application. If the permit has already expired, it cannot be renewed. The employer will need to obtain a new permit and sign a new employment agreement. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the temporary suspension of the foreign employee’s work activities.

What Are the Consequences of Employment Without a Permit?

We are often asked: “What is the liability for employing foreign nationals without a permit?” So let us highlight this clearly: violations related to the employment of foreign citizens may result in a fine imposed on the employer amounting to 20 minimum wages per person. As of May 2025, this equals 160,000 UAH per individual.

Deadlines for Extending a Foreigner’s Work Permit

It is extremely important to meet the deadlines for submitting documents. The application to extend a foreigner’s work permit must be submitted no earlier than 50 days and no later than 20 days before the permit’s expiration date. Submitting documents outside this time frame is grounds for denial of the extension.

A common question from employers is: “Is a work permit required if the foreigner is working remotely?”

You must understand that a work permit for a foreigner is a document that grants the employer, whether a legal entity or an individual entrepreneur, the right to enter into an employment relationship with a foreign national, namely, to sign an employment agreement and officially hire them. The terms under which the employee will work (remotely, in-office, part-time, etc.) are arrangements between the employer and the employee.

Therefore, to officially employ a foreign worker, the employer must obtain a work permit, including in cases where the foreigner is located outside of Ukraine. It’s also important to note that the permit is issued for the employment of a specific foreigner in a specific position, for a specific employer.

Nuances also matter, particularly the fact that the work permit is tied to a specific position and employer. This means it is neither universal nor transferable. If a foreigner intends to work for multiple companies, each company must obtain a separate work permit. As for temporary residence permits, there are additional details, which we’ll cover later.

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

Extension of a Temporary Residence Permit

A temporary residence permit issued for the employment of a foreigner, based on a work permit, must also be formally renewed. To do so, documents must be submitted to the Migration Service no later than 15 working days before the permit’s expiration date.

If the work permit is not renewed on time and is revoked by the Employment Center, the residence permit is subject to cancellation. In that case, the foreign worker must leave the territory of Ukraine.

An exception also applies to remote work from abroad. If an employee works remotely outside of Ukraine and does not intend to reside in its territory at all, a residence permit is not mandatory, and a work permit is sufficient.

Features of Extending a Temporary Residence Permit During Martial Law

To adapt migration legislation to the conditions of martial law, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 1202 in October 2022. According to this document, permits that expired after February 24, 2022, remain valid; they continue to confirm the legal grounds for staying in Ukraine. These temporary permits also grant the right to enter Ukraine during martial law and for 30 days after its termination. However, this exception does not apply to permits issued to Russian citizens.

It is also important to note that after the end of martial law, there is a 30-day period to exchange such permits.

What Does This Mean in Practice for the Employer and the Foreign Employee?

If the employer has timely renewed the work permit, the foreign employee is not required to extend their temporary residence permit. Accordingly, this rule also applies to employees who have gone abroad and are working remotely. If they have a valid work permit, they are not obligated to return to Ukraine solely for the purpose of renewing their residence document. If such a foreign employee needs to enter Ukraine during martial law, they will be allowed entry even with an expired temporary residence permit. 

Employment of a Foreign National Working Remotely from Abroad: Work Permit Renewal Case

At the beginning of 2025, our law firm was approached by a Ukrainian company based in Kyiv with a typical yet critically important task: renewing the work permit for a foreign employee who was performing duties remotely while residing in Spain.

The employee had left the country and did not plan to return to Ukraine in the near future. However, for the employer, it was essential to conduct business legally and eliminate any risks associated with illegal employment or the foreign national’s residence.

After analyzing the Client’s situation, we decided to renew the work permit and the corresponding employment relationship with the employee, as his expertise was highly valuable to the company. We handled the entire process strictly in accordance with the procedure, taking care of all bureaucratic aspects, and successfully obtained a two-year extension of the work permit. Since the foreign national was abroad, the temporary residence permit was not extended.

In early May 2025, the foreign employee came to Ukraine to attend a conference. He crossed the Ukrainian border without any issues or additional documents using the expired residence permit, as under the aforementioned Resolution, it is still considered valid.

You might also like: Sample Employment Agreement for a Work Permit for a Foreign National in Ukraine

Ensure the Legality of Employing Foreign Nationals with Legal Support

The process of renewing permits and certificates involves several important nuances that must not be overlooked. That’s why we strongly recommend entrusting this process to professionals. Our law firm has extensive experience in migration and labor law, particularly in the employment of foreign nationals in Ukraine. We provide comprehensive legal support on the following matters:

• verifying compliance of deadlines and documents with legal requirements;
• preparing and submitting the full set of documents for renewing a work permit and temporary residence permit;
• managing communication with the State Migration Service and the Employment Center;
• providing consultations on employer risks and liability.

With us, you receive more than just a service. You gain reliable legal protection and the confidence that everything is done right the first time, with no unnecessary stress.

Contact us today to safeguard your business and retain your key specialists!