How can a foreign volunteer obtain an ID and avoid punishment for exceeding the stay limit in Ukraine?
Since the beginning of the war, thousands of foreigners have started supporting Ukrainians and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including those who are in Ukraine. However, they are legally allowed to stay in Ukraine for 90 days within a 180-day period. So, what should they do in such a situation?
To stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days, a foreigner must obtain the appropriate document, namely a temporary residence permit. The basis for obtaining such a permit is engaging in volunteer activities in Ukraine. Volunteer activities are a form of charitable work.
Important! Organizations and institutions that are non-profit and engage foreigners and stateless individuals in volunteer activities on the territory of Ukraine can involve volunteers. Information about these organizations and institutions, including foreigners, can be found on the website of the National Social Service at the following link: https://nssu.gov.ua/volonterstvo”.
How to get on this list?
To be included in this list of volunteer organizations, you can send official letters (on the organization’s letterhead with the director’s signature) with information about the legal entity to the Ministry of Social Policy. This information should include:
- Full name, EDRPOU code, location, postal address, contact numbers, information about the director (surname, first name, patronymic).
*If available, provide an email address, the official website address on the Internet, and any other desired information.
Within three working days of receiving the relevant information, the Ministry of Social Policy publishes information about organizations and institutions that involve volunteers, including foreigners, on its website.
Temporary residence permit
A temporary residence permit is a document that allows a foreigner to legally reside in Ukraine and partially grants them the same rights and obligations as Ukrainian citizens.
The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance and can be renewed an unlimited number of times as long as the basis for issuance remains. In other words, you can renew the documents as long as the foreigner continues their volunteer activities in Ukraine.
To obtain a permit in Ukraine based on volunteer activities, you need to go through several steps:
- Obtain a volunteer visa to Ukraine of type “D-10”.
- Submit the necessary documents to the migration service and obtain a temporary residence permit in Ukraine.
- Register your place of residence in Ukraine.
Procedure for obtaining a temporary residence permit based on volunteer activities
After arriving in Ukraine with a long-term visa, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit.
You can submit the documents for it to either the Migration Service or Passport Services and CNAPs (provided they have the relevant authorization).
To obtain a permit, you need to contact the DMS at least 15 working days (19-23 calendar days) before the expiration of the visa or the legal stay period (for citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan).
To apply for a permit, you will need to collect the following documents:
- Passport and a translation of the page with personal data into Ukrainian.
- Health insurance policy with coverage for one year.
- Submission and registration document from the volunteer organization.
- Receipt for the payment of the administrative fee (paid directly when submitting the documents).
The general list of documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit can be found in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 322 dated April 25, 2018, which approves the sample, technical description of the blank, and the procedure for issuing, exchanging, canceling, forwarding, withdrawing, returning to the state, recognizing as invalid, and destroying temporary residence permits.
The consideration of documents by the Migration Service takes 15 working days (3 weeks), and the status of the review can be tracked on the website of the DMS of Ukraine.
During the document review at the address indicated by the foreigner as their place of residence, an inspection may take place. The foreigner may also be called in for an interview at the Migration Service.
In case the documents are correctly processed, and all checks are passed successfully, the Migration Service issues a temporary residence permit.
The procedure for renewal is the same as for obtaining the permit. You need to gather the same set of documents and attach the temporary residence permit and a certificate/excerpt about the registration of the place of residence. The documents for renewal (referred to as “exchange” in the legislation) must be submitted no later than 15 working days (19-23 calendar days) before the expiration of the permit.
Procedure for registering a place of residence in Ukraine
After obtaining the residence permit, the next step is to register the foreign worker’s address in the registration authorities of the place of residence.
You must register your place of residence within 30 calendar days from the date of receiving the temporary residence permit.
Cancellation of the temporary residence permit
There are cases provided for by Ukrainian legislation when a person who has obtained a temporary residence permit may lose it:
- Providing false information and using fake documents on the basis of which the temporary residence permit was issued.
- In case of opening a criminal case.
- If the actions of the foreigner threaten the safety of Ukrainian citizens, including their life, health, or have a terrorist inclination.
- In case of a court decision on the forced deportation of the foreigner.
If you have any questions, please contact us using the contact information provided on our website, and our immigration lawyer will be happy to assist you.