UKRAINE: Work Permit, Employment of foreign nationalities

Employment of foreign nationalities

On 27th of September 2017, the law simplifying employment of the foreign nationals with Ukrainian employees came into force.

The new rules are aimed at making the whole procedure of acquiring legal status for foreigners in Ukraine easier and transparent for the purpose of protecting the interests of investors and making it less bureaucratic and at the same time more strict limitations will be introduced.

Below are some of headlines of the new rules.

1. The list of the documents for work permit shortened

The list of documents, which is required for obtaining the work permit under regular procedure, has been limited to four documents: (i) employer’s application, (ii) copies of the passport of the foreigner, (iii) photo, and (iv) labor agreement (contract). 

2. Secondary employment is allowed

Although employment of the foreign national with each employer or at each position is conditionals on obtainment separate work permit, foreign high-paid professionals (whose salary exceeds 50 minimum wages (UAH 160,000.00 / EUR 5,500)) are allowed to combine employment at other employer within the term of employment at the initial position (for which the employee obtained work permit).

3. Employees have been split into two categories for issuing work permits:

• “special” category of employees, which includes: foreign high- paid professionals, founders, shareholders or beneficiary owners of Ukrainian companies, graduates of the world’s top 100 universities, art professionals, IT-professionals; and
• “regular” employees – other employees, not included into the “special” category.

“Special” category of employees may be qualified for obtaining work permits with the duration of up to 3 years.