The Work Permit / Visa Confusion
Every week we speak with Bangladeshi applicants who believe that obtaining a work permit means they can board a plane to Ukraine. They cannot. A work permit issued by Ukraine's State Employment Service (DSZ) authorises an employer to employ a foreign national. It does not grant you entry to Ukraine.
To enter Ukraine, you need a visa issued by a Ukrainian embassy or consulate — specifically, a D/EM visa for employment purposes. The work permit is a prerequisite for the D/EM visa application, but the two are separate documents issued at different stages of the process. Getting the sequence right matters: work permit first, then D/EM visa application, then travel.
Work permit = employer's authorisation to hire you (issued by DSZ, Ukraine).
Visa = your authorisation to enter Ukraine (issued by the Embassy, in Dhaka).
Both are required. Neither substitutes for the other.
C-Type Visa: Short Stay
Ukraine's C-type visa is a short-stay visa allowing up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is the standard visitor visa for tourism, business trips, and family visits.
C-type visas are valid for the purpose stated in the application. The subcategories most relevant to Bangladeshi nationals are:
- C/TU — tourist: holiday travel, tourism, personal travel
- C/BZ — business: commercial negotiations, meetings, conferences — not employment
- C/PV — private (family visit): visiting Ukrainian citizens or legal residents
The critical restriction: a C-type visa does not authorise employment. Even if you hold a valid work permit — even if the work permit is already in your hand — you cannot legally commence employment in Ukraine on a C-type visa. This is one of the most common errors Bangladeshi applicants make, often on the advice of Dhaka agents who claim a C-type visa "covers" initial work while the D-visa is processed. It does not. Commencing employment on a C-type visa constitutes illegal employment and can result in deportation and entry ban.
A C-type visa also cannot be converted or "extended" into a D-type visa from inside Ukraine. If you entered on a C-type and wish to transition to a work-based status, you must exit Ukraine and apply for the correct D/EM visa at the embassy before re-entering.
D-Type Visa: Long Stay (Subcategories)
A D-type visa is a national long-stay visa that allows residence in Ukraine beyond the 90-day short-stay limit. Each subcategory corresponds to a specific immigration ground. Below are the subcategories most relevant to Bangladeshi nationals:
| Code | Name | Who Uses It | Key Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| D/EM | Employment | Workers with a job offer from a Ukrainian employer | Work permit issued by DSZ |
| D/PV | Private (Family) | Family members of Ukrainian citizens or TRP holders | Proof of family relationship + sponsor's Ukrainian status |
| D/IM | Immigration | Permanent residence applicants | Approved permanent residence basis (limited grounds) |
| D/STN | Study | Students enrolled at accredited Ukrainian universities | University acceptance letter + financial proof |
| D/BZ | Business | Company founders/directors of Ukrainian TOV entities | EDRPOU extract showing applicant as director/founder |
The D/EM visa is the most common type issued to Bangladeshi workers. It is issued for the validity period of the work permit — typically one year — and must be applied for at the Ukrainian Embassy in Dhaka with the original work permit included in the application package.
The D/BZ route is used by Bangladeshi nationals who register a TOV (Ukrainian limited liability company) and obtain a TRP on business grounds. The D/BZ visa is applied for after the company is registered and the EDRPOU extract is available. This is a more complex route — see our company registration guide →
Visa-on-Arrival: Bangladesh Is Not Eligible
Ukraine operates a visa-on-arrival programme for nationals of certain countries. Bangladesh is not on this list. All Bangladeshi nationals — regardless of travel history, previous Ukrainian visas, or other immigration status — require a pre-issued visa before arriving at a Ukrainian border crossing or airport.
There is no provision for Bangladeshi nationals to obtain a visa at Boryspil International Airport or any Ukrainian land border crossing. Attempting to enter Ukraine without a pre-issued visa will result in refusal of entry.
Agents who claim they can "arrange" entry without a prior embassy visa are either misinformed or fraudulent. Do not pay for services based on this claim.
Which Visa Do You Need?
Use the table below to identify the correct visa type for your situation. If your situation is not listed or you are unsure, an eligibility assessment will clarify your route before you spend money on documents.
| Your Situation | Required Visa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted job offer, employer has work permit | D/EM | Cannot travel before work permit is issued and D/EM visa granted |
| Starting a TOV company in Ukraine | D/BZ | Company must be registered first; EDRPOU extract required for visa |
| Enrolled at Ukrainian university | D/STN | University acceptance letter required; financial proof required |
| Family member of Ukrainian citizen | D/PV | Marriage certificate or birth certificate + sponsor documentation |
| Short business trip, no employment | C/BZ | Cannot be used for employment even if work permit exists |
| Tourism only, no immigration intent | C/TU | Maximum 90 days; no employment permitted |
| Applying for permanent residence | D/IM | Rare for Bangladeshis; specific grounds required under Ukrainian law |
Applying for a Ukrainian Visa in Dhaka
The Ukrainian Embassy in Dhaka processes all Ukrainian visa applications from Bangladeshi nationals. There is currently no VFS Global service centre for Ukrainian visas in Bangladesh — applications must be submitted in person at the embassy.
| Embassy address | Embassy of Ukraine in Bangladesh, Dhaka (verify current address and hours at mfa.gov.ua before visiting) |
|---|---|
| Appointment booking | Via the embassy's official appointment system — do not use third-party booking services claiming embassy access |
| Processing time | Typically 5–10 working days for standard applications; expedited processing may be available for D/EM applications with complete document sets |
| Documents (D/EM) | Passport (valid min. 18 months), visa application form, original work permit from DSZ, employment contract, photos, medical insurance, state fee payment |
| Documents (D/STN) | Passport, application form, university acceptance letter, financial proof (UAH equivalent of 6+ months expenses), medical insurance, BMET clearance for students |
| Documents (D/BZ) | Passport, application form, EDRPOU company extract, company charter, director appointment documents, financial proof |
Common Errors to Avoid
The following errors appear repeatedly in cases that come to us after problems have already occurred:
- Applying for a C-type when intending to work. Some agents in Dhaka submit C/BZ applications on behalf of workers who have employment intentions. This gets the worker into Ukraine but immediately into an illegal employment situation. The correct visa is D/EM — always.
- Believing a C-type can be "converted" inside Ukraine. It cannot. Visa category changes must happen outside Ukraine via a fresh embassy application in Dhaka. Any agent who claims otherwise is incorrect.
- Believing agents can "arrange" visas without embassy attendance. All D-type visa applicants must appear in person at the Ukrainian Embassy in Dhaka for biometrics and document submission. No legitimate service provider can substitute for your physical appearance.
- Applying before the work permit is issued. A D/EM visa application without the work permit will be refused. The work permit must already exist before the visa application is submitted.
- Using expired or incomplete employer documents. If your employer's registration details have changed since the work permit was issued, the visa application may be flagged. Verify all employer documents match before applying.