How many citizens of India and Bangladesh are already working in Ukraine: data from the Migration Service

Demand for foreign workers is growing in Ukraine, but their actual number is still limited. Find out how many citizens of India and Bangladesh are already working in Ukraine and in which sectors they are most often employed

Legal assistance on issues of entry, stay, and legalization of foreigners in Ukraine

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Against the backdrop of war and labor shortages in Ukraine, there is increasing discussion about the need to attract hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, particularly from India, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries. However, the actual number of such migrants is currently significantly lower than some experts claim. The latest figures on foreigners already working in Ukraine have been released by state authorities.

As reported by Informator, the publication requested official comments from the State Migration Service of Ukraine and the State Employment Center to ascertain the real state of the labor market involving foreigners.

How many foreigners have a residence permit and work in Ukraine

According to the head of the State Migration Service, Natalia Naumenko, as of the end of November 2025, 11,346 foreigners and stateless persons with residence permits were officially working in Ukraine.

Among them:

● citizens of India — 659 people;

● 4 citizens of Bangladesh;

● 4 citizens of Pakistan.

At the same time, the State Migration Service specifies that the actual number of citizens from these countries may be higher. A significant number of foreign students are studying in Ukraine, who came to study at domestic higher education institutions and can work at the same time.

How many work permits were issued in 2025

Separate statistics were provided by the State Employment Center. From the beginning of 2025 and as of December 15, 2025, Ukraine issued:

● 817 work permits to citizens of India;

● 558 permits to citizens of Bangladesh.

In total, from January 1 to December 15, 2025, 7,033 work permits were issued to foreigners. The article notes that a significant portion of workers from India and Bangladesh may have arrived at the end of the year, in December.

Citizens of which countries most often work in Ukraine

According to the State Migration Service, as of the end of the year, the largest number of foreign workers in Ukraine came from the following countries:

● Turkey — 1,930 people (1,294 permits issued in 2025);

● Uzbekistan — 1,157 people (868 permits);

● China — 731 people (464 permits);

● Azerbaijan — 692 people (545 permits);

● Belarus — 666 people.

Citizens of countries that are considered “exotic” for our labor market also work in Ukraine: Thailand (296 people), Colombia (150), Ecuador (76), Brazil (60), Indonesia (36). It is separately noted that 207 citizens of the russian federation also work in Ukraine.

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In which areas do foreigners most often work?

In 2025, the largest number of work permits for foreigners were issued in the following sectors:

● construction;

● wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles;

● manufacturing;

● information and telecommunications;

● temporary accommodation and catering (hotels, cafes, restaurants).

These are the areas that are currently experiencing the most acute labor shortages due to the war and demographic changes.

What is important for foreigners planning to work in Ukraine to know

Official employment of foreigners in Ukraine is only possible with a work permit and appropriate migration status. The procedures for obtaining documents, especially during martial law, have many nuances. That is why foreign citizens should consult in advance with immigration lawyers who specialize in employment, work permits, and residence permits. Such services for foreigners in Ukraine are also available through Visit Ukraine.

In addition, foreigners must have valid medical insurance to enter and stay in Ukraine. Given the security situation, policies covering military risks are particularly relevant — they can also be obtained online through Visit Ukraine before crossing the border.

We remind you! For official employment and legal work in Ukraine, foreigners must obtain a work permit. However, there are exceptions for certain categories of persons. Read more about exceptions and who can work in Ukraine without a special permit.

Photo: shutterstock

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