Ukraine Work Permits | State Employment Center & PosvidchennyaUkraine maintains an active legal immigration framework for foreign workers, corporate representatives, and NGO personnel. All work authorizations flow through the State Employment Center and are followed by the Posvidchennya (temporary residence card) from the State Migration Service.
Ukraine has a defined legal structure for international companies, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and foreign technical specialists operating within the country. All foreign employees working for Ukrainian entities must obtain work authorization through the State Employment Center before entering on a work visa.
The employer — not the individual — applies for the work permit at the regional State Employment Center (Derzhavna Sluzhba Zaynyatosti). The permit is tied to a specific employer and position. Work permits are issued for 1 to 3 years depending on the employee category and contract duration.
With an approved work permit in hand, the foreign national applies for a Type D-04 long-stay employment visa at a Ukrainian embassy abroad. This visa authorizes entry into Ukraine specifically for employment purposes and must be presented upon arrival at the border.
After entering Ukraine, foreign workers must register with the State Migration Service (Derzhavna Migratsina Sluzhba — SMS) to receive the Posvidchennya — a biometric temporary residence permit card. This card is valid for the duration of the work permit and must be renewed alongside any permit extensions.
Employees of accredited foreign representative offices, diplomatic missions, and international organizations use a separate accreditation card system — not the standard employment work permit process. Our team handles both tracks.
✓ Employment contract with Ukrainian company
✓ State Employment Center work permit decision
✓ Notarized Ukrainian translation of passport
✓ Medical clearance certificates & health insurance
✓ Proof of residential address registration
The regional State Employment Center (not the Ministry of Interior) issues work permits on behalf of the sponsoring Ukrainian employer.
It matches the approved work permit duration — typically 1 to 3 years, renewed simultaneously with the permit.
Yes. Staff of officially accredited foreign representative offices use the accreditation card system — a separate legal track.
