Immigration Permit for Highly Qualified IT Specialists

Ukraine's Immigration Permit for Highly Qualified IT Specialists is a permanent residence pathway for foreign IT professionals based on their qualifications and experience — no employer sponsorship required. Established under the Law of Ukraine "On Immigration" No. 2491-III and operationalized through Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 148-p of 24 February 2021, the program was created in response to Ukraine's IT talent shortage. As of July 2023, amendments to the Law on Immigration effectively lifted the quota system, making the program broadly accessible without numerical restrictions. Holders are not tied to any specific employer, position, or location and may work freely, register as a sole proprietor (FOP), or start a business.

• At least 3 years of professional IT experience within the last 7 years (2 years for designers)
• At least one secondary criterion: (a) tertiary education in Information Technology or Mathematics/Statistics, (b) minimum USD 24,000 income over the past 12 months, or (c) a recognized professional certification (CISSP, CISA, CISM, ITIL Master, CompTIA Security+)
• Role must fall within eligible IT specializations defined in the annual Ministry of Economy order (includes Chief Programmer, Software Engineer, Systems Administrator, Database Administrator, Information Security Systems Developer, Computer Graphics Specialist, and blockchain/cybersecurity roles)
• Clean criminal record; applicants convicted of crimes with sentences exceeding 1 year are ineligible
• Medical certificate confirming absence of contagious diseases, chronic alcoholism, or drug addiction
• Russian and Belarusian citizens undergo additional security screening

• Passport with certified Ukrainian translation
• Three photographs (35×45mm, matte paper)
• Application form
• Proof of legal stay in Ukraine (if applying from within Ukraine)
• Employment records, reference letters, service contracts, payroll statements, or workplace certificates demonstrating IT work experience
• Income documentation (if using the USD 24,000 criterion)
• Professional certifications (if applicable)
• Education certificates (if applicable)
• Medical certificate confirming absence of contagious diseases, chronic alcoholism, or drug addiction
• Criminal record certificate
• Receipt of state fee payment (permanent residence card: UAH 85 state fee + UAH 496 administrative fee + UAH 654 blank form)

The immigration permit leads directly to a permanent residence permit (посвідка на постійне проживання) valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely. The permit must be exchanged at ages 25 and 45 for cards without electronic media, and also upon changes to personal information. After 5 years of continuous residence, holders may apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

Spouse and minor children under 18 may be included in the immigration application as dependants under Article 4(2)(6) of the Law on Immigration. Each dependant receives their own permanent residence permit with the same 10-year validity.

Ukraine levies 18% personal income tax (PDFO) plus 1.5% military levy on employment income. Alternatively, holders may register as a sole proprietor (FOP) in Group 3 at a 5% single tax rate on qualifying income. Participants in the Diia City gig-contract framework pay 5% income tax on remuneration. Individuals present 183 or more days per year are considered tax residents and are taxed on worldwide income.

The process has six stages:

1. Document preparation — Collect and apostille foreign documents, obtain certified Ukrainian translations. Qualification verification consultation is available via the Ministry of Digital Transformation ([email protected] or +380442567949).
2. IT qualification verification — Submit documents to the Ministry of Digital Transformation. This stage takes 3–4 months (up to 1 year in complex cases).
3. Immigration permit application — Submit to the State Migration Service territorial division. Processing takes up to 6 months.
4. D-01 immigration visa — Applicants outside Ukraine apply for a D-01 visa at a Ukrainian consulate (approximately 2 weeks processing). The visa is valid for 90 days.
5. Permanent residence card — After entering Ukraine, submit documents to the State Migration Service for the permanent residence card, issued within 15 working days.
6. Residence registration — Register your place of residence within 30 days of receiving the permanent residence card.

Applications from outside Ukraine are submitted to Ukrainian diplomatic missions or consular posts. Applicants already lawfully present in Ukraine may submit directly to the State Migration Service territorial division.