Hiring foreign employees: easy, compliant and stress‑free

Hiring foreign professionals in Ukraine is now a common practice for businesses, IT companies, manufacturers and service providers. However, the employment process requires permits, documents and strict compliance with deadlines. If you are unsure about the details, we will help you arrange everything correctly and quickly, without the risk of fines.

Why legal employment of a foreigner matters

• Avoid fines. Hiring a foreign national without a permit may result in substantial penalties for the employer.
• Safe employment relations. With properly issued documents, foreign workers are employed legally, pay taxes and have access to medical and insurance coverage.
• Business stability. Correct formalisation protects you during inspections and helps you retain key specialists longer.

When a work permit is required

• In most cases, a permit is required if a foreign national plans to work in Ukraine on a permanent or temporary basis.
• For seconded (posted) foreign workers providing services or performing works, special permit rules apply.
• Stateless persons also need a permit.

Key steps — 5 simple stages

1. Define the position and salary. The official job title must correspond to the national classifier of occupations.
2. Obtain a work permit from the Employment Centre. The maximum validity period is usually up to 2 years.
3. Collect the foreign worker’s documents: a notarised Ukrainian translation of the passport, a 35×45 mm photo, a draft employment contract or gig contract, and proof of payment of the state fee.
4. Obtain a Ukrainian tax identification number for the foreign worker. This is required for salary payments and opening a bank account.
5. Sign the employment contract. Within 90 days after the permit is issued, the contract must be signed, and within 10 days of signing, a certified copy must be submitted to the Employment Centre.

Required documents (briefly)

• Application in the form approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
• Copy of the foreigner’s passport pages + certified Ukrainian translation.
• Colour photo 3.5×4.5 cm.
• Draft employment contract or gig contract certified by the employer.
• Receipt confirming payment of the work‑permit fee.
• Additionally (depending on status): residence permit, copy of the foreign economic contract (for seconded workers), copy of the foreign employer’s decision on the transfer of the employee to Ukraine.

Practical tips

• Choose the appropriate permit term — up to 2 years, or up to 3 years in some specific cases (seconded workers).
• Arrange a Ukrainian translation of the passport and have it notarised before filing.
• If the foreigner is abroad, a power of attorney can be executed with a foreign notary and sent to Ukraine.
• Keep copies of all documents and filing receipts, especially when submitting through an administrative service centre or the Employment Centre.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Hiring without a permit, which leads to fines and potential suspension of cooperation.
• Incorrect job title that does not match the occupation classifier.
• Missing deadlines: 90 days for signing the contract and 10 days for submitting a copy to the Employment Centre.
• Incorrectly certified translation or missing photo.
• Incomplete documentation in special cases (seconded workers, stateless persons).

How we can help

• Analyse your case and determine the appropriate type of permit.
• Prepare a full document package: application, translation, photos, draft contract, payment receipt.
• Draft a power of attorney for the foreign worker (abroad or in Ukraine).
• Arrange a tax ID and advise on opening a bank account.
• Accompany document submission to the Employment Centre and assist with official correspondence.

Timeframes and fees (approximate)

• Express package: assistance in obtaining a permit within 5–7 days.
• Standard package: 10–14 days — full support, document preparation, obtaining tax IDs.
• Additionally: support for seconded staff, preparation of gig contracts, representation before the Employment Centre.

Short pre‑start checklist

• Position and salary are defined and correspond to the classifier.
• Application and documents have been submitted to the Employment Centre.
• Passport translation is duly notarised.
• Photo and payment for the permit are ready.
• You plan to sign the employment contract within 90 days.

Ready to help
Send us brief information about the foreign worker and the position, and we will prepare the document package, clarify timeframes and fees, and help you complete the process without unnecessary stress.
Author – Diana Zaporoshchuk, lawyer at the Criminal Law and Procedure practice at WINNER Law Firm.