Despite the challenging situation, foreign citizens continue to visit Ukraine. In just 7 months in 2023, our border was crossed by over 1.3 million citizens of foreign states, mainly from Moldova, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Additionally, residents from more distant jurisdictions, such as Mexico, Madagascar, etc., arrive. Most non-residents travel to Ukraine for tourism, business purposes, or personal trips. At the same time, a significant number of foreigners stay in the country for permanent residence (as of February 2022, there were 400,000 non-residents living in the country).
Visiting another country, and especially residing in it, is always accompanied by certain difficulties. Ukraine is no exception in this regard. Foreigners sometimes find it difficult to understand and grasp all the nuances of Ukrainian legislation concerning various aspects of life. Regardless of the purpose of staying in the country, legal services for foreigners in Ukraine are highly demanded.
Concluding business transactions, registering a company, obtaining immigration permits, education, inheritance acquisition – all of these and much more are much easier to accomplish with the assistance of experienced lawyers or attorneys who have a thorough knowledge of local legislation and skills to solve specific tasks. You can avail yourself of the services of such specialists by turning to the Lawrange Attorneys Association. We understand that the uniqueness of each case requires a special, individual approach, so we are ready to offer efficient services tailored specifically to your task.
Legal Services for Foreigners in Ukraine: Key Features
Rules of life vary significantly from country to country. Laws, everyday life, and local mentality can be quite challenging for foreigners to understand and perceive. While foreign citizens can often turn to any passerby or, for example, a neighbor down the hall for social issues, legal problems can only be dealt with by experienced lawyers and attorneys. In particular, specialists from the Lawrange AA will provide an adequate number of detailed consultations for the client to find an answer to their question and make a truly justified, correct decision. It is precisely qualified legal assistance that will make their stay in Ukraine comfortable and easy.
Non-residents on the territory of our country practically have the same rights, freedoms, and obligations as Ukrainians. The Law of Ukraine, “On the Legal Status of Foreigners,” speaks of the possibility of immigration of foreign citizens to Ukraine for permanent or temporary residence. At the same time, obtaining a permanent or temporary residence permit is a rather complex procedure, within which, among other things, it is necessary to:
- Determine the duration of stay in Ukraine.
- Identify the legal grounds for obtaining the respective residence permit.
- Compile a package of documents for the Migration Service.
In case of incorrect interpretation of migration legislation, there is a risk of refusal to issue a residence permit, leading to loss of funds and time. These and other features are considered by specialists of the Lawrange AA, which has been providing services to foreigners in Ukraine for many years.
Important! A temporary or permanent residence permit is issued if a non-resident needs to stay in Ukraine for 90-180 days from the moment of initial registration. In case of an extension of this period, a stamp is put on the passport, sealed with a registration stamp, and information about the foreign citizen is entered into a special registration form. Citizens of certain countries receive a certificate in the form of a card as an addition to their passport.
Legal services for foreigners are determined during advisory meetings. Before accepting an order for work, our specialists clarify the client’s main goal, after which they select a specific range of methods and tools to achieve it.
What Services are Provided to Foreigners
The list of legal services provided to foreigners is quite extensive. This fact creates comfortable conditions for non-residents to navigate the Ukrainian reality. Purchasing real estate, setting up a business, obtaining work permits, registering marriage, defending one’s interests in court—these and other tasks are promptly resolved based on an individual approach, taking into account the client’s personal preferences.
Legalization of Documents
In Ukraine, documentation issued and executed in another country can only be used after legalization. Employment, education, business establishment, marriage with Ukrainians – all of these and much more become possible only after going through the procedure of certifying documents in the state authorities of Ukraine.
Legalization of foreign documents (giving them a certain legal force) is carried out through:
- Consular legalization – a procedure to confirm the authenticity of original foreign documents issued by governments of jurisdictions not participating in the Hague Convention. The process is quite complex, involving interaction with multiple government agencies. Qualified legal assistance to foreigners is highly demanded for its successful resolution.
- Apostille – a stamp affixed to documents of citizens of countries participating in the Hague Convention (Ukraine became a member in 2003). The apostille procedure is much simpler than the previous one.
Moreover, there are several countries (Moldova, Uzbekistan, Georgia, China, Hungary, etc.) with which Ukraine has concluded agreements on mutual recognition of documents. Therefore, citizens of these states arriving in Ukraine are exempt from the need to legalize their documents. It is sufficient to have a notarized translation into Ukrainian.
Marriage with a Foreigner
Marrying a representative of a foreign jurisdiction in Ukraine is relatively simple. Today, this procedure can be completed within 24 hours, provided that all necessary and correctly executed documents are available. The document preparation process is more time-consuming. It involves the legalization of the foreigner’s personal documents through apostille, consular legalization, or by providing a notarized translation. In this case, the assistance of a lawyer consists of a thorough analysis of such papers, checking them for validity. Thanks to the involvement of a professional in document preparation, the risk of any errors and associated bureaucratic delays is eliminated.
Obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
A TIN is necessary for foreigners to fill out various official documents, execute a notarized power of attorney, or, for example, for employment. This number, also known as the “identification code” or “registration code of the taxpayer’s account card,” consists of 10 digits and is assigned to all citizens of Ukraine, as well as foreigners. The exceptions are individuals who have refused to obtain it due to religious beliefs.
Legal assistance to foreigners in Ukraine from Lawrange AA also includes services for obtaining a TIN. Our lawyer will help prepare and submit the relevant application to the tax service at your place of registration. Additionally, assistance will be provided in preparing copies of the passport and a document confirming the legal stay of the non-resident in Ukraine.
Support in Business Opening and Management for Foreign Entrepreneurs
To easily and simply start your own business in Ukraine, a foreigner should contact Lawrange AA with the founders’ passports, documents for registering a foreign enterprise, and a power of attorney. As part of this service, our specialists provide comprehensive assistance not only in registering a business in Ukraine but also in its subsequent support.
The initial legal consultation for foreigners in Ukraine is necessary to determine the goals and objectives that the client sets before us. Then, we help determine the most optimal organizational and legal form for a specific type of business. We will advise on how profitable such a business will be in Ukraine, how to hire employees, how to organize accounting, etc.
Some of the services provided when registering a business by a foreigner in Ukraine include:
- Assistance in opening and maintaining accounts.
- Business registration with the choice of taxation system.
- Assistance in employing a foreign director in the company and other employees – foreign citizens.
- Assistance in obtaining all necessary licenses.
- Provision of consulting services during business activities, etc.
Obtaining a Work Permit
Such a permit is necessary for foreign citizens who intend to work in our country, including holding managerial positions. The permit is issued for 1 year, after which you can renew it if necessary. Within this service, our specialists work on:
- Developing a set of documentation required to be submitted to the Employment Center; primarily, this includes the draft of the employment contract, a contract between the foreign employer and the Ukrainian business entity, etc.
- Organizing the translation of passports, contracts, agreements, and other documents into Ukrainian.
The lawyer will provide consultation on the grounds for obtaining the permit. If necessary, assistance will be provided in obtaining insurance, creating a notarized copy of the permit for use at the Embassy of Ukraine, etc.
Documents for Education in Ukraine
Legal assistance to foreigners in Ukraine is often required when deciding to pursue education. For this, a foreign applicant needs to apply to the relevant educational institution for an invitation by filling out a special application and attaching to it:
- A copy of the passport.
- A health certificate.
- A document confirming previous education.
- A payment receipt.
During the consultation, the lawyer will answer all questions, including advising on the specific document package required by a particular university, how to obtain an invitation from the university, etc.
For entry into Ukraine for educational purposes, a foreigner should obtain a D visa. After its issuance, it is necessary to contact the university and inform them of the date of arrival in the country.
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Note! Currently, distance learning is being conducted in Ukraine, which affects the methods of document submission for enrollment in universities and entry. Our Law Firm’s specialists are ready to explain all these nuances. Comprehensive legal assistance to foreigners significantly increases the chances of successful enrollment in the desired educational institution.
Features of Obtaining and Extending Residence Permits
A residence permit is a document confirming the legality of a foreigner’s stay in Ukraine. It can be:
- Temporary: it is valid for 3 years, according to the law “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons,” issued to a certain list of persons for the period to carry out work and solve some other issues (i.e., with legal grounds for staying in Ukraine). In order to obtain it, it is necessary to collect a complete set of documents, including originals and copies of the passport with a notarized translation, a valid health insurance policy, a receipt for the payment of the state fee, etc.
- Permanent: unlike the previous document, this paper allows a foreigner to stay in the country permanently without the need for annual renewal. With its issuance, foreign citizens gain almost the same rights and freedoms as Ukrainians, except for rare exceptions provided by law. A permanent residence permit can be obtained based on various conditions, including outside the state quota, based on the immigration quota, etc. Such a document enables a foreign citizen to freely reside, work, conduct business, and marry in Ukraine.
It is quite common and legitimate for foreigners to be unable to fully navigate Ukrainian legislation, including regarding the issuance of various types of residence permits. Another obstacle is the lack of knowledge of the state language. Therefore, to solve this problem, it is important to seek qualified legal assistance.
Obtaining Ukrainian Citizenship
A foreigner can become a citizen of Ukraine by undergoing a special procedure regulated by Ukrainian laws and international treaties of Ukraine. Citizenship can be acquired:
- By birth.
- By territorial origin.
- Through adoption or guardianship over a child and for other reasons.
The most critical and complex part is the preparation of the necessary documents. In addition to the application, the applicant submits a passport and its copy, a document confirming the place of residence (if abroad, a notarized translation into Ukrainian is required). Lawyers of our Attorneys Association are ready to provide qualified assistance in preparing these and other documents. They will advise on how to correctly draw up the application, where to apply for its submission, and guide on the processing times of your application. Our specialists will determine if the client has grounds to obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure, as well as familiarize them with the reasons for possible refusal.
Consultations on Visa and Migration Issues
Legal support includes a detailed consultation with the foreign citizen, during which all the nuances of each specific situation are studied. Based on the information obtained, it becomes possible to provide optimal recommendations for correctly obtaining a visa and other migration issues.
Our lawyers and legal experts take care of document processing like translations, financial support documents, notarized invitations, drafts for notaries, etc. We assist the client in registering an electronic visa application form and an electronic bank account (if available). Our specialists will also prepare the necessary documents for submission to the border service.
Assistance in Opening Bank Accounts
We are ready to take on this process, allowing the client to spend their time on other matters. At Lawrange AA, we provide detailed consultation on choosing a bank that fully meets the client’s interests. Depending on the requirements of the banking institution, personal presence may be required for verification and submission of documents, but lawyers handle their preparation and process control.
Why Foreign Citizens Need Legal Services
Foreigners in Ukraine may need legal assistance for various reasons. However, as practice shows, the need to turn to a lawyer arises most often when it is necessary to obtain a certain permit, for example, to engage in employment or business activities or to regulate the legal status of residence in Ukraine.
In addition, legal services related to migration issues are quite in demand. For example, legal assistance may be necessary when crossing the border with Ukraine; various specific nuances often accompany this process. To avoid possible difficulties, it is recommended to conduct preliminary preparation with an experienced lawyer or attorney.
Equally important and quite complex is obtaining a residence permit for citizens, for example, those needing pension payments. To do this, it is necessary to consider all the work experience earned in Ukraine and abroad. Preparation of a document package in such a situation is practically impossible without the participation of a lawyer who is well-versed in this and other issues.
Thus, a lawyer for foreign citizens is needed to solve a wide range of tasks, starting from the need to buy real estate, obtain permission to study at a university or get married, and ending with the possibility of organizing legal stay in the territory of Ukraine.
Why Choose Lawrange
Years of experience, deep knowledge of domestic and international legislation, and fluency in international languages allow our specialists to easily find common ground with foreign citizens. We provide simple, understandable answers to pressing questions and offer a clear plan to achieve the set goal. Regardless of what interests a foreigner—document legalization, family matters, labor issues, entrepreneurial activities, investment, and so on—Lawrange AA’s specialists will provide a full range of services, guaranteeing confidentiality and prompt resolution of your issue.
Collaboration with us means:
- Confidence in achieving the set goal.
- Availability of legal support in any situation.
- Transparent financial policy (work under contract, the client understands what they are paying for).
- Maximum efficiency and result-oriented work.
- Individual approach to solving your problem.
Lawyers and attorneys of our Law Firm constantly monitor any changes in legislation, thanks to which they quickly orient themselves in the situation and effectively provide the required services. Our team of experienced specialists is ready to make every effort to comprehensively and qualitatively solve any legal problem for foreign citizens in Ukraine.
FAQ
Does a foreigner need to pay any state fee to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?
No, a state fee is not provided, and an ITIN is issued within 1-5 business days.
What is the cost of services provided by our lawyers and attorneys?
Each type of service has its own price, so the total cost depends on which specific set of services will be needed to solve your task.
Is it possible to obtain citizenship without personal presence?
A foreigner must personally submit documents to the migration service and obtain a certificate confirming citizenship and a passport. Our specialists will take care of everything else.
