President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law extending the deadline until May 10, 2027
The deadline for obtaining temporary residence permits for foreign military personnel has been extended until May 10, 2027. The relevant law No. 16094 was signed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The provision applies to foreigners and stateless persons serving under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The change in legal norms aims to ensure legal grounds for foreign volunteers to stay in Ukraine during active combat operations. The adopted document grants soldiers time to regularise their legal status, while allowing state authorities and military units to streamline the document issuance process.
Servicemen deployed directly on the front lines often lack the opportunity to arrive at State Migration Service units on time. They carry out combat missions at significant distances from their units’ permanent deployment locations, making it impossible to collect the required package of documents within the previously established deadlines.
Background of law No. 16094 adoption
The need to adjust the timeframe arose from the provisions of Law of Ukraine No. 4730-IX dated December 17, 2025, which introduced mandatory temporary residence permits for foreigners in the military. Those already serving when that law entered into force on May 10, 2026, were granted a six-month transition period.
This period was set to expire on November 10, but many foreign fighters failed to complete the process due to combat assignments or immediate deployment to the front line following basic military training.
New rules and deadlines for military categories
For service members who signed contracts before May 10, 2026, the application period has been extended from six months to one year from the date the previous law entered into force — namely until May 10, 2027. The same final deadline applies to individuals who signed contracts after May 10, 2026, but before the new law No. 16094 takes effect.
For foreigners signing contracts after the new act comes into force, their stay in Ukraine will be deemed legal from the contract signing date until they receive the permit, provided this period does not exceed three months.
In cases of discharge or contract termination, individuals without a permit are granted a three-month period to adjust their legal status in Ukraine. Until the permit is issued, military registration documents, service IDs, or official certificates serve as confirmation of legal stay.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
