Government proposes to change the procedure for obtaining permits for residence and employment of foreigners

On 14 November 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Employment of Foreigners and Stateless Persons”, registration No. 14211 (the "Draft Law No. 14211”).

As stated in the explanatory note to the Draft Law No. 14211, its aim is to optimize the procedures for issuing temporary residence permits and work permits for foreigners and stateless persons, with a view to align the relevant procedures with the legal framework of the EU and, specifically, the Directive (EU) 2024/1233.

In particular, the Draft Law No. 14211 envisages abolishing the current procedure for obtaining work permits for foreigners and stateless persons and instead introducing:

• a Unified Permit for Temporary Residence and Employment (the “Unified Permit”), which will serve as the basis for a foreign national to obtain a long-term visa and to apply for a temporary residence permit in connection with employment; and
• a Unified State Web Portal for the Employment of Foreigners and Stateless Persons (the “Unified Web Portal”), where Ukrainian employers will post information on available vacancies that can be filled by foreigners or stateless persons.

Under the proposed amendments, Ukrainian employers will be able to post vacancies on the Unified Web Portal subject to approval by the competent authorities responsible for employment and labor migration. Vacancy approvals will be granted based on analysis of the feasibility for allowing foreign nationals and stateless persons to access the Ukrainian labor market, as well as the following criteria:

1) the need to employ foreigners based on analysis of the current labor market conditions in Ukraine

2) the inability to fill the vacancy with duly registered unemployed Ukrainian citizens

3) the assessment of the employer.

The Draft Law No. 14211 also specifies categories of foreigners who will have unrestricted access to the Ukrainian labor market and, consequently, will not need to obtain the Unified Permit in order to be employed in Ukraine. This list includes, in particular, citizens of EU countries. Such foreign nationals will be able to obtain a temporary residence permit based on a concluded employment contract or gig-contract.

The proposed rules are expected to enter into force in six months after the Draft Law No. 14211 is adopted. In addition, a transitional period shall be established, during which work permits issued prior to the launch of the Unified Web Portal will remain valid until their expiry.

At the same time, it should be noted that the Draft Law No. 14211 is still at an early stage of the legislative process, and the proposed rules may be amended during its consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.