How can foreigners obtain a long-term type D visa?

The D visa is intended for long-term stay of foreigners for the purpose of obtaining residence documents. Find out more about how to get a D visa to Ukraine, what documents you need to submit and how long it takes to obtain a D visa

Legal assistance on migration and entry to Ukraine

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A D visa is a long-term visa issued to foreigners and stateless persons for entry into Ukraine for the purpose of further processing documents granting the right to stay or reside in Ukraine for a period exceeding 90 days.

We will tell you how to obtain this type of document and what requirements must be met to obtain a D visa.

How to obtain a D visa to Ukraine?

The conditions for obtaining a D visa may vary depending on the applicant's country of origin. This is due to international agreements on cooperation and mutual recognition of visa procedures.

European Union (EU) countries

Citizens of EU countries enjoy a visa-free regime for short-term trips to Ukraine (up to 90 days within 180 days). However, a D visa is required for long-term stays.

Special features for EU citizens:

● The application procedure is usually simplified, as EU countries have developed cooperation with Ukraine.

● Some documents may be accepted without an apostille or legalisation.

CIS countries

Citizens of CIS member states, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, have a simplified entry procedure for Ukraine. Standard documents are required to obtain a ‘D’ visa, but the following applies to these countries:

● Minimal requirements for document translation.

● The possibility of obtaining a visa through diplomatic missions in neighbouring countries (if there is no Ukrainian consulate).

United States, Canada, United Kingdom

For citizens of these countries, the procedure for obtaining a D visa is standard. Important to note:

● Biometric data must be provided.

● An invitation or contract from the Ukrainian side must be clearly confirmed by official documents.

Countries of Asia and the Middle East

For citizens of countries such as China, India, Turkey or Israel, the following applies:

● Simplified procedures for submitting documents through visa centres.

● Possibility of obtaining multiple-entry visas for business representatives.

● Special conditions for tourists who are switching to the long-term category (for study or work).

Countries with restricted access to Ukraine

For citizens of countries that are on sanctions lists or have complex political relations with Ukraine (e.g. Iran, Syria, Russia), visa procedures are significantly more complicated. Features:

● Increased requirements for confirming the purpose of the trip.

● Longer application processing time due to the need for additional checks.

What documents are required for a D visa?

- Passport and a copy thereof;

- Residence permit. Please note! When applicants reside in a country other than their country of citizenship, the Embassy can only accept visa applications from applicants who have valid temporary/permanent residence documents (long-term visas/residence visas or their equivalents, etc.);

- a printed and completed visa application form;

- colour photographs measuring 35 x 45 mm;

- medical insurance policy valid for the entire period of the visa. In this case, we recommend taking out insurance that covers military risks.

- documents confirming the purpose of your trip, financial capabilities, place of residence, ticket reservations, medical insurance and other documents that may be required for consideration of your application;

- documents that are the basis for obtaining a visa according to its type.

- receipt of payment of the consular fee.

Read also: Do I need a visa to enter Ukraine? Complete guide to visa requirements for Ukraine in 2025

How long does it take to get a D visa?

The embassy reviews visa applications and decides whether to grant or refuse a visa within the following time frames:

• Urgent cases - up to 5 working days from the date of receipt of the necessary documents. A double consular fee is charged

• in the normal case - up to 10 working days from the date of receipt of the necessary documents, unless otherwise provided by international agreements of Ukraine. This period may be extended to 30 working days if additional checks are necessary.

What types of D visas are there?

• D-01 - for immigration purposes;

• D-02 - family reunification with a person who is recognised as a refugee in Ukraine or a person who needs additional protection or who has been granted temporary protection in Ukraine;

• D-03 - diplomatic/official (for accreditation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs);

• D-04 - employment;

• D-05 - international technical assistance;

• D-06 - religious activities;

• D-07 - participation in the activities of branches, departments, representative offices and other structural units of public (non-governmental) organisations of foreign states;

• D-08 - work in the representative office of a foreign business entity in Ukraine;

• D-09 - work in a representative office of a foreign bank;

• D-10 - cultural, educational, scientific, sports, or volunteer activities. For this type, an invitation from a state body of Ukraine or an invitation from an organisation registered with the NSSSU as one that involves the person in its activities is required;

• D-11 - work as a correspondent or representative of foreign media;

• D-12 - founder or participant (beneficial owner) of a legal entity;

• D-13 - for the purpose of study;

• D-14 - family reunification with a citizen of Ukraine (on the basis of marriage);

• D-15 - family reunification with persons who have a residence permit in Ukraine;

• D-16 - other in accordance with international treaties of Ukraine.

When applying for a visa, foreigners should note that the type of visa is selected based on the purpose of your trip and the length of your stay in Ukraine.

What should you pay attention to when applying for a D visa?

Firstly, documents issued in a foreign country (except for passports) must be legalised or apostilled, unless otherwise provided by Ukrainian law.

In addition, all documents in a foreign language must be submitted for a visa together with a certified translation into Ukrainian. If this is not possible, a translation into English is acceptable.

To obtain a visa, you must have a passport with a visa sticker valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Ukraine (but not less than 6 months) and have at least two free pages.

Obtaining a residence permit is a simple procedure, but it requires a good knowledge of the language and legislation of Ukraine. Our specialists can help you collect and prepare the necessary documents. Immigration law is one of the most important areas of our specialisation. We understand how difficult it is for a foreigner without knowledge of the language and legislation to personally obtain a residence permit or the necessary type of visa, so we offer a wide range of services, including turnkey residence permit registration based on employment.

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Reminder! Poland is considering reinstating the visa regime with Ukraine.

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