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. Qualification requirements are defined in annual orders issued by the Ministry of Economy — for 2026 this is Order No. 3663 of 3 March 2026, which replaced the previous 2025 Order No. 574. 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 (Order No. 3663 of 3 March 2026 for 2026) — 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.

• Annual specialty list updated (3 March 2026): Ministry of Economy Order No. 3663 approved the 2026 list of specialties and qualification requirements for immigration, replacing the previous Order No. 574 of 21 January 2025. IT specialist categories continue to be covered, with verification handled by the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
• Multiple citizenship now permitted (in force 16 January 2026): Law of Ukraine No. 4502-IX of 18 June 2025 introduced controlled multiple citizenship. Nationals of countries on the Cabinet of Ministers' approved list — initially the United States, Canada, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic — may naturalize as Ukrainian citizens after 5 years of permanent residence without renouncing their original citizenship, by signing a declaration of recognition of oneself as a citizen of Ukraine.
• Martial law: Ukraine continues to operate under martial law, most recently extended by the Verkhovna Rada to 31 October 2026 (the 20th extension since February 2022). The immigration permit system for IT specialists remains operational and accepting applications, and naturalization continues to be processed.