Ukraine Residence Permit (TRC)

A Ukraine residence permit — officially called a Temporary Residence Card, or TRC (Посвідка на тимчасове проживання) — is the document that grants foreign workers long-term legal status in Ukraine. Every foreign worker who enters Ukraine on a D visa must apply for a Ukraine residence permit within 45 days of arrival. The TRC replaces your D visa as your primary identification and legal residence document. Without it, you risk losing your legal status — even if your work permit is valid.

This guide covers the full Ukraine residence permit process: what the TRC is, when and how to apply, required documents, validity, renewal, permanent residence eligibility, and family reunification.

What Is a Temporary Residence Card (TRC)?

The Temporary Residence Card is a physical ID card issued by Ukraine's State Migration Service (Державна міграційна служба). It serves as:

• •Proof of legal residence in Ukraine
• •Identity document — accepted at banks, hospitals, police checkpoints, and government offices
• •Work authorization supplement — works in combination with your work permit to confirm full legal employment status
• •Travel document — required when re-entering Ukraine if you leave the country during your stay

The TRC is a biometric card with your photo, personal data, residence address, and an electronic chip. It is separate from your passport — you carry both.

For foreign workers employed through Asia Work, the TRC is part of the standard legalization sequence: work permit → D visa → entry → TRC. The TRC is the final document in this chain and the one you will use daily while living and working in Ukraine. For details about what happens when you first arrive, read the Arrival in Ukraine guide.

When to Apply for a Ukraine Residence Permit

Ukrainian law requires foreign citizens who entered on a D visa to apply for a TRC within 45 calendar days of their entry date. The 45-day clock starts from the border entry stamp in your passport.

Key deadlines:

• •Day 1–30: Complete migration registration (address registration with the State Migration Service)
• •Day 1–45: Submit TRC application

Missing the 45-day deadline puts you in violation of Ukrainian immigration law. Consequences include fines, potential deportation, and difficulty obtaining future Ukrainian visas. Asia Work tracks every candidate's 45-day deadline and initiates the TRC application process during the first week after arrival.

In practice, our legal team submits most TRC applications within 2–3 weeks of arrival — well within the deadline.

Documents Required for TRC Application

The following documents are submitted to the State Migration Service territorial office in the city where you are registered:

1. •TRC application form — completed in Ukrainian (Asia Work's legal team fills this out for you)
2. •Valid passport — with D visa and entry stamp
3. •Work permit — original or certified copy
4. •Employment contract — from your Ukrainian employer
5. •Health insurance — valid for the duration of the TRC (1 year minimum)
6. •Proof of accommodation — rental agreement or employer letter confirming your registered address
7. •2 photographs — 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background
8. •Medical certificate — confirming absence of infectious diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis B). This medical examination is conducted at an authorized Ukrainian medical facility after your arrival.
9. •Police clearance — from your home country (the same one used for the D visa, if still within 6-month validity)
10. •Receipt of state fee payment — paid at a Ukrainian bank before submission

Medical examination details:

The Ukrainian medical exam for TRC purposes includes blood tests (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B), a chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening), and a general health check. Asia Work arranges the medical appointment at an authorized facility in your city. Cost: approximately 1,500–3,000 UAH ($37–$75 USD). Results are issued within 3–5 working days.

TRC Application Process — Step by Step

Step 1: Medical Examination

Within the first 1–2 weeks of arrival, Asia Work schedules your medical examination at an authorized clinic. You receive results within 3–5 days.

Step 2: Document Preparation

Our legal team prepares your complete TRC application package:

• •Fills out the application form in Ukrainian
• •Compiles all required documents
• •Verifies that your work permit, passport, and insurance are current
• •Translates any documents not yet available in Ukrainian

Step 3: Submission to State Migration Service

Asia Work's legal representative submits your TRC application at the territorial office of the State Migration Service in your registered city. In most cases, the applicant must attend in person for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photo).

What happens at the migration office:

• •Document submission and verification (30–60 minutes)
• •Biometric data collection (fingerprints, digital photo)
• •Receipt of application acknowledgment with expected completion date

Step 4: Processing Period

The State Migration Service processes TRC applications within 15–20 working days from submission. During this period, your D visa remains valid as your legal residence basis.

If the migration service requests additional documents or clarification, Asia Work handles all communication and follow-up.

Step 5: TRC Card Issued

You receive your TRC card from the migration office. The card contains:

• •Your full name (in Ukrainian transliteration and Latin script)
• •Date and place of birth
• •Photo
• •Card number and issue date
• •Expiration date
• •Registered address in Ukraine

Carry the TRC with you at all times alongside your passport.

TRC Validity and Renewal

Initial TRC

The first TRC is issued for 1 year, aligned with the standard work permit duration. If your work permit is issued for a longer period (some skilled positions receive 2–3 year permits), the TRC validity matches the work permit.

Renewal Process

TRC renewal must be filed 30 days before the expiration date. The renewal process is simpler than the initial application:

• •Updated medical certificate (new exam required)
• •Valid work permit (renewed or extended)
• •Updated health insurance
• •Application form
• •State fee

Processing time for renewal: 10–15 working days. Asia Work tracks every worker's TRC expiration date and initiates renewal automatically — you will never miss a deadline while employed through our program.

There is no limit on the number of TRC renewals. As long as your work permit remains valid and your employer continues your contract, you can renew your TRC indefinitely.

Permanent Residence After 3 Years

Foreign workers who hold a TRC continuously for 3 years become eligible for permanent residence in Ukraine (Постійне посвідчення на проживання). Permanent residence is a significant upgrade:

• •No renewal required — the permanent residence card is valid for 10 years and automatically renewable
• •No work permit required — permanent residents can work for any employer without a separate work permit
• •Full labor market access — you can change jobs, start a business, or work as a freelancer
• •Path to citizenship — after 5 years of permanent residence (8 years total in Ukraine), you become eligible for Ukrainian citizenship

Requirements for permanent residence:

• •3 years of continuous legal residence (TRC-based) without gaps
• •Valid employment throughout the 3-year period
• •Clean criminal record in Ukraine
• •Basic Ukrainian language proficiency (conversational level)
• •Proof of stable income (employment contract or business registration)
• •Medical examination (same as for TRC)

Asia Work provides legal support for permanent residence applications for workers who have been in our program for 3+ years.

Family Reunification

Foreign workers with a valid TRC can apply for family reunification to bring spouse and children to Ukraine. The process:

Who qualifies:

• •Legal spouse (marriage must be registered and documented)
• •Children under 18

Requirements:

• •The worker must hold a valid TRC (at least 6 months remaining)
• •Proof of sufficient income to support family members (monthly salary above minimum threshold set by Ukrainian law)
• •Accommodation suitable for the family size
• •Health insurance for all family members

Process:

1. •Family members apply for D-01 (family reunification) visas at the Ukrainian consulate in their home country
2. •Upon arrival in Ukraine, family members apply for their own TRC
3. •Spouses receive a TRC tied to the worker's employment status
4. •Children can enroll in Ukrainian schools (free public education)

Timeline: D-01 visa processing takes 15–25 working days. TRC for family members takes an additional 15–20 working days after arrival.

Asia Work assists with family reunification document preparation for workers placed through our program.

Difference Between D Visa, TRC, and Permanent Residence

For most workers, the practical path is: D visa → TRC (year 1) → TRC renewal (years 2–3) → permanent residence (year 4+).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the TRC application take?

From submission to receiving the card: 15–20 working days. Including medical examination and document preparation, the entire process takes 3–4 weeks from your arrival date.

What does the TRC cost?

The state fee for TRC issuance is approximately 700–1,000 UAH ($17–$25 USD). The medical examination costs 1,500–3,000 UAH ($37–$75 USD). Total cost: approximately $55–$100 USD. For workers placed through Asia Work, the employer typically covers these costs.

Can I travel outside Ukraine with a TRC?

Yes. The TRC allows you to leave and re-enter Ukraine freely during its validity period. You travel with your passport (containing the D visa) and your TRC card. If your D visa has expired (which is normal — it is replaced by the TRC), the TRC itself serves as your re-entry document.

What happens if I lose my TRC?

Report the loss to the State Migration Service immediately. Apply for a replacement card — processing takes 10–15 working days. A police report of the loss is required. Asia Work assists with the replacement process.

Can my spouse work in Ukraine on a family reunification TRC?

A family reunification TRC alone does not authorize employment. Your spouse needs a separate work permit to work legally. However, spouses with permanent residence do not need a work permit.

What if my employer terminates my contract?

Your TRC remains valid until its expiration date, even if your employment ends. You have the duration of the TRC's remaining validity to find a new employer and obtain a new work permit. Asia Work helps workers in this situation find alternative placement.

Do I need to learn Ukrainian to get permanent residence?

A basic conversational level of Ukrainian is expected for the permanent residence interview. After 3 years of living and working in Ukraine, most workers acquire sufficient language skills naturally. Formal language certificates are not required — the migration officer conducts a brief conversational assessment.

Start the Process

The TRC is the final piece of your legal status in Ukraine — and the foundation for long-term stability, family reunification, and permanent residence. The journey starts with your application. Apply now and Asia Work handles every step from work permit to D visa to arrival and TRC. Contact us at info@asiawork.com.ua / +380 73 333 1378.