Foreign volunteers who signed contracts before May 10 must submit documents by November 10
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has prepared guidelines for military units to simplify and expedite the issuance of temporary residence permits for foreigners and stateless persons serving under contract. The new algorithm establishes a clear sequence of actions for commanders, ranging from verifying legal stay periods to assisting with document submissions to the State Migration Service. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The guidelines are built on best practices from units that have already established efficient residence permit procedures. The main goal of the new rules is to reduce the administrative burden on service members and minimise the time they are taken away from operational duties.
Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Lyubov Halan noted that the military unit handles most of the organizational tasks, including document preparation and coordination. The service member is only involved in steps that require personal presence, such as biometric data collection, photography, and signing applications.
Unit Responsibilities and Support Arrangements
Under the established algorithm, the commander of each unit designates a responsible officer. This officer maintains and updates lists of foreign service members, monitors contract signing dates, and tracks expiration dates of documents confirming legal stay in Ukraine to prioritize applications.
The designated officer prepares papers issued by the unit, verifies the remaining documents, and coordinates the package with the State Migration Service in advance. If necessary, a escort is assigned to assist the service member when communicating with migration officials.
The procedure also accounts for operational circumstances. If an injured soldier is undergoing hospital treatment, the unit can arrange for a mobile migration team to visit the medical facility. If combat missions prevent travel, the designated officer requests an extension of legal stay until submission becomes safely possible.
Application Deadlines and Processing Times
The guidelines implement Law No. 4730-IX, which entered into force on May 10, 2026, requiring foreigners and stateless persons serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, or State Special Transport Service to hold a temporary residence permit. Permits are issued for the contract duration plus six months following its termination.
Service members who signed contracts before May 10, 2026, and have not yet obtained a residence permit must submit their application documents by November 10, 2026. During this transition period, military ID cards or service credentials serve as proof of legal stay.
For those joining on or after May 10, 2026, submission deadlines depend on the date of entry into Ukraine. The State Migration Service processes applications and issues permits within 15 working days, and the document must be picked up in person.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
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