Rakib H., 29, a backend developer from Dhaka with four years of experience in Node.js and PostgreSQL, had received a verbal job offer from a Kyiv-based fintech startup ('TechCo' in this account). He contacted Kyiv Pathway in late January 2026. His Type D work visa was issued on 17 April 2026.
Week 1: Initial Assessment
The engagement began with a paid eligibility assessment ($30). Rakib submitted his CV, his current Bangladeshi passport, a description of the role TechCo was offering, and TechCo's Ukrainian company registration number (EDRPOU).
The written assessment delivered at the end of Week 1 confirmed:
- Rakib's educational qualifications (BSc Computer Science, BUET) met the requirements for a Category II specialist work permit under Ukrainian law.
- TechCo's EDRPOU was real, the company was not in liquidation, had no outstanding tax debts flagged in public registries, and appeared to have a genuine operating history.
- The proposed salary in the offer (equivalent to 3× the minimum Ukrainian wage) exceeded the statutory threshold for work permit approval.
- The main risk identified: TechCo had not previously sponsored a foreign worker and would need guidance through the employer-side process.
This assessment — a document, not a promise — was the foundation for every subsequent decision. The scope of work was agreed in writing before any document preparation began.
Weeks 2–4: Document Gathering
A Ukrainian work permit application requires documents from both the employer and the employee. This is a phase many applicants underestimate — the documents must be not only complete but properly formatted, translated and apostilled. An incomplete file is rejected without refund of state fees.
Employer-side documents (TechCo's responsibility)
| Employment contract | Drafted by Kyiv Pathway in Ukrainian, reviewed against Law of Ukraine No. 5067-VI (On Employment of Population), signed by TechCo director |
|---|---|
| EDRPOU extract | Official extract from the Unified State Register — no older than 30 days at time of submission |
| Statutory advertisement | TechCo advertised the position on the State Employment Service portal for the required period — confirming no qualified Ukrainian candidate applied |
| Director's passport copy | Notarised copy of the director's passport |
| Company charter extract | Confirming director's authority to sign contracts |
Employee-side documents (Rakib's responsibility)
| Passport copy | Notarised copy of Bangladeshi passport — valid for at least 18 months beyond intended entry date |
|---|---|
| Diploma | BSc degree from BUET — required apostille from Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then certified translation into Ukrainian |
| Employment history | Reference letters from previous employers confirming relevant experience — translated and notarised |
| Criminal record certificate | Bangladesh Police clearance certificate — apostilled, translated |
| Medical certificate | From a medical institution approved by the Ukrainian Embassy |
The apostille process on Rakib's diploma was the main delay in this phase. Bangladesh's apostille process through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took 11 working days. This is a standard timeline — applicants who have not done this before often assume it takes a few days. Week 4 ended with a complete file, fully verified by Kyiv Pathway against the current DMSU checklist before submission.
Week 5: State Employment Service Submission
The application was submitted to the relevant regional State Employment Service office (the region corresponding to TechCo's registered address) in Week 5. Submission requires in-person attendance by the employer's authorised representative in Ukraine — not by the foreign worker.
Kyiv Pathway coordinated the submission, attending with TechCo's authorised representative. The application was accepted in full. The receipt confirming acceptance included a file reference number — the critical document for the next phase.
Weeks 6–9: DMSU Waiting Period
The State Employment Service has a statutory processing period of up to 30 working days from acceptance. During this period, the application is reviewed by the employment service, including confirmation that the advertised position genuinely went unfilled by a Ukrainian candidate.
Rakib's application was approved on Working Day 27 — within the statutory period. The approved work permit was a physical document issued to TechCo as the employer. TechCo received it, scanned it, and forwarded it to Kyiv Pathway, who verified the permit number against the State Employment Service public registry before advising Rakib to proceed to the visa stage.
This permit-to-registry verification step is critical. A permit that cannot be independently verified in the official registry is either fraudulent or erroneously issued. Verification takes five minutes. It is non-negotiable.
Week 10: Type D Visa Application
With a verified work permit in hand, Rakib was now eligible to apply for a Ukrainian national Type D visa at the Ukrainian Embassy in Dhaka. The Type D visa (D-09 category, for work purposes) requires:
- Completed visa application form
- Valid Bangladeshi passport (18+ months remaining validity)
- Two recent passport photographs
- Original verified work permit
- Original signed employment contract (Ukrainian-language version)
- Proof of accommodation in Ukraine
- Travel insurance covering the first 90 days
- Embassy fee payment receipt
Rakib submitted the application at the Ukrainian Embassy in Dhaka on the first working day of Week 10. Embassy processing for a well-prepared D visa application typically runs 5–15 working days.
Week 12: Outcome
The Type D visa was issued on Day 10 of the embassy processing period — Day 12 of Week 12 overall. The visa was issued for the maximum initial period permitted under the work permit duration.
Rakib departed Dhaka on 19 April 2026 and entered Ukraine through Boryspil International Airport without incident. The work permit was presented at the immigration counter; the entry stamp and permit details were recorded. Within 10 working days of entry, TechCo registered Rakib's place of residence with the local migration service — completing the legal migration process.
What Made This Case Work
Genuine employer
TechCo was a real, operating company with an EDRPOU that matched its physical address, existing employees and a verifiable website.
Complete file, first time
Every document was prepared to standard before submission. No resubmissions, no corrections. Resubmissions restart the 30-day clock.
Salary above threshold
The offered salary clearly exceeded the statutory minimum. Applications near the threshold frequently face additional scrutiny.
No shortcuts
Rakib did not enter Ukraine before the permit was issued. He did not work on a tourist visa. He applied for the correct visa category from Dhaka.
What This Case Is Not
This case is published as a process illustration, not as a guarantee of outcome. Every application is decided on its own facts by the relevant Ukrainian authority. The 30-working-day period is statutory but administrative delays can extend it. The Ukrainian Embassy in Dhaka operates on its own schedule and we do not control or predict its processing times.
Rakib's outcome was positive because his situation was genuinely eligible — not because of any special influence, procedural shortcut, or guarantee. Eligibility is determined before any application begins.