Ukraine has changed the rules. A foreign national who is in Ukraine on a visa-free basis and who is invited by a registered volunteer organisation can now apply for a 1-year temporary residence permit directly, without first obtaining a D-10 visa.
That makes the residence permit faster and cheaper than it used to be. The 90-day volunteer visa is still issued, and it still solves problems that the visa-free route cannot: a nationality that needs a visa to enter, a used-up 90 in 180 allowance, or a previous overstay.
We offer both services separately. Choose the one that fits your situation, or take the visa first and the permit afterwards.
1-year residence permit
- No D-10 visa required
- Issued in 15 working days
- Valid 1 year, renewable
- Only a passport needed from you
- No volunteer work required
90-day volunteer visa (D-10)
- Resets a previous overstay
- The 90 in 180 rule does not apply
- Medical insurance up to EUR 30,000
- Can be upgraded to the 1-year permit
- Embassy and shipping fees separate
Which one do you need?
| Your situation | What you need | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| You can enter Ukraine visa-free and have at least 30 days of stay remaining | Residence permit only | USD 700 |
| You have used up your 90 days within the last 180 | Visa first, then the permit if you want it | USD 250, or USD 950 for both |
| You overstayed in Ukraine previously | Visa first, it clears the overstay for border control | USD 250, or USD 950 for both |
| Your nationality requires a visa to enter Ukraine | Visa first, then the permit | USD 950 for both |
| You only need a short stay and no long-term status | Visa only | USD 250 |
Not sure which applies to you? Send us a scan of your passport and we will tell you before you pay anything. The consultation is free.
1-year temporary residence permit, USD 700
The permit is issued on the basis of an invitation from a non-governmental organisation entered in the state register of organisations entitled to engage foreign nationals in volunteer activity in Ukraine.
Check your remaining days first. The permit takes up to 25 calendar days to be issued, so you need at least 30 days of visa-free stay left on the day you apply. If you have fewer, take the 90-day visa first. We confirm this for you before you travel.
At a glance
| Total cost | USD 700, in two instalments of USD 350 |
|---|---|
| Included | Government fee, notary and translation fees, 1-year medical insurance, NGO invitation and donation, full legal support |
| From you | Valid passport, a Kyiv address for the day of application, a Ukrainian mobile number |
| Time in Ukraine | At least one working day in Kyiv, the day of application |
| Processing | 15 working days, up to 25 calendar days |
| Collection | Any time within 6 months of the date of issue |
| Volunteer duties | None required, participation is optional |
1Initiation and first instalment
Send a scanned copy of your passport to info@uaresidency.com. The first instalment of USD 350 is payable at this stage. On receipt we prepare the original documents and the official invitation from the volunteer organisation in your name.
This first instalment is non-refundable, because the documents and the invitation are prepared and the donation to the organisation is made immediately after payment.
2Arrival in Kyiv and second instalment
You need to be in Kyiv for one working day, the day the application is submitted. Before we go to the immigration office, send us the address in Kyiv where you will be staying that day, and a Ukrainian mobile phone number.
The second instalment of USD 350 is payable before the application is submitted. If the application is refused, this instalment is refunded to you in full.
3Submission
We accompany you to the immigration office and file the application with all supporting documents. Your only task is to be present and to sign.
4Issue and collection
The permit is issued within 15 working days of the application, which in practice means up to 25 calendar days. You may collect it at any time within 6 months of the date of issue, and you do not have to stay in Ukraine while it is processed.
5Registration of your address
Ukrainian law requires a permit holder to register their place of residence. Registration is made at the address where you actually live, with the consent of the owner.
If the owner of your accommodation does not consent, we can arrange accommodation under a lease agreement that expressly grants you the right to register your place of residence, for 100 USD per year.
You are not obliged to perform any volunteer work. The fee you pay includes a donation to the organisation, and that donation is your contribution. If you would like to take part in its activities, we will gladly introduce you. That is your choice and it has no effect on your permit.
What we need from you
- A valid passport. We prepare every other document ourselves.
- The address in Kyiv where you will be staying on the day of application.
- A Ukrainian mobile phone number.
No criminal record certificate, no medical examination and no documents from your home country.
Payment and refunds
- First instalment, USD 350, on initiation. Non-refundable.
- Second instalment, USD 350, before the application is submitted. Refunded in full if the application is refused.
- No further fees, apart from the optional address arrangement above.
To date, every client of ours holding an EU, United Kingdom, United States, Canadian or Australian passport has been approved. The decision is taken by the State Migration Service, which is why the second instalment is protected by the refund term above.
90-day volunteer visa D-10, USD 250
Since the residence permit no longer requires a visa, the D-10 is now an optional product. It remains the right answer in three cases.
When the visa is still worth taking
- You have used up your 90 days within 180. The 90 in 180 rule does not apply to visa holders, so the visa gives you a fresh, lawful basis to stay.
- You overstayed in Ukraine before. Entering on a D-10 means a previous overstay does not create problems at the border.
- Your nationality is not visa-free. Then the visa is the only way in, and the residence permit follows afterwards.
What the package includes
- Visa invitation
- Legal confirmation from the NGO registered by the Government of Ukraine to invite foreign nationals
- Medical insurance from a Ukrainian insurer covering up to EUR 30,000
- All other supporting documentation for the embassy
Not included: embassy fees and shipping costs. These are paid by you directly and vary by country. See our full breakdown of the Ukraine visa fee for each nationality. Visa fees start from USD 65.
How it works
- Send us a scan of your passport and the dates of your intended visit.
- We confirm your eligibility and issue an invoice for USD 250.
- Your visa papers are prepared within 3 to 5 days of payment.
- We ship the originals to you, and you apply at the Ukrainian embassy or consulate.
Eligibility
The volunteer visa is issued to citizens of the EU, the United Kingdom and other European countries, as well as the United States, Canada, Australia and comparable jurisdictions.
In practice, volunteer visas are not approved for applicants from India, Pakistan, the Middle East and the Gulf states. Please check with us before making any payment, so that nobody pays for a route that will not work.
Taking both? Get the visa, enter Ukraine, and apply for the 1-year permit while you are here. The total is USD 950. The permit is optional, and plenty of clients take the visa alone.
Free consultation before you pay anything
Send a scan of your passport and tell us your situation. We will confirm which route applies to you, what it costs and how long it takes.
Email info@uaresidency.com Order now
Telephone and Telegram: {{PHONE}}
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a D-10 visa to get the 1-year residence permit?
No. If you are in Ukraine lawfully on a visa-free basis and you are invited by a registered volunteer organisation, you can apply for the permit directly. The visa is needed only if you cannot enter visa-free, if you have used up your 90 days within 180, or if you overstayed previously.
How long do I have to be in Ukraine?
One working day in Kyiv, the day the application is submitted. After that you are free to leave. The permit is issued within 15 working days and you can collect it any time within 6 months of issue.
Do I have to actually volunteer?
No. The fee includes a donation to the organisation and that is your contribution. If you would like to get involved, tell us and we will introduce you to the organisation. It makes no difference to your permit.
What documents do I need to prepare?
Only a valid passport. We prepare everything else. On the day of application we also need the Kyiv address where you are staying and a Ukrainian mobile number. No criminal record certificate, no medical examination, nothing from your home country.
What happens if my application is refused?
The second instalment of USD 350 is refunded to you in full. The first instalment is not refundable, because by that point the invitation and the original documents have already been prepared and the donation made.
Can I renew the permit after one year?
Yes. The permit is renewable on the same basis. Contact us about two months before it expires and we will handle the renewal.
Will a previous overstay stop me at the border?
If you enter on a D-10 visa, no. That is one of the main reasons clients still take the visa even though it is no longer required for the permit.
What is included in the USD 700?
The government fee, notary and translation fees, one year of medical insurance, the NGO invitation and donation, and our legal support throughout. The only optional extra is the address arrangement at 100 USD per year.
How do I pay?
We issue an invoice and confirm the payment method with you when you start. Ask us for details in your first email.
