In Ukraine's work permit system, the employer — not the worker — is the primary applicant. The employer files the work permit application with the State Employment Service (ДСЗ), bears the legal responsibility for the worker's status in Ukraine, and can face fines if employment conditions are not met. Understanding employer eligibility requirements protects you from signing with an employer who cannot legally deliver what they are promising.
1. What makes a Ukrainian employer eligible to sponsor a work permit?
To legally sponsor a work permit for a foreign national, a Ukrainian employer must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be registered in the Unified State Register (have a valid EDRPOU code) with active status
- Be registered as a taxpayer with the State Tax Service of Ukraine
- Not be in bankruptcy, liquidation, or formal restructuring proceedings
- Have no unresolved tax debts at the time of application (tax debt makes the ДСЗ application inadmissible)
- Have the position for the foreign worker in their official staffing table (штатний розпис)
- Not have exceeded their foreign worker quota for the current period
- Be able to demonstrate that no qualified Ukrainian worker is available for the role (labour market test)
An employer who meets all these criteria can begin the permit application process. Failure on any single point results in ДСЗ rejection.
2. Can a sole proprietor (FOP) sponsor a work permit?
This is a complex area of Ukrainian labour law. A FOP (Фізична особа підприємець — Sole Trader) is registered in the state register and has an EDRPOU code, but FOPs generally cannot sponsor work permits for foreign nationals in the same way that legal entities (TOV, AT) can.
Under Ukrainian immigration regulations, work permits for foreigners are issued in connection with employment by legal entities. While Ukrainian employment law has some provisions for FOP employment, the ДСЗ in practice requires the sponsoring employer to be a legal entity (юридична особа), not an individual entrepreneur. If a recruiter is offering you a work permit sponsored by a FOP, seek a second legal opinion before proceeding — this arrangement carries significant legal risk.
3. What is the employer quota for foreign workers?
Ukrainian law requires that employers obtain permission to hire foreign workers up to a certain quota — a percentage of the employer's total workforce. The specific quota and calculation method are set by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and can be adjusted periodically.
In practical terms: a small Ukrainian company with 10 employees can only legally employ a limited number of foreign workers simultaneously. If that quota is already filled by other foreign workers, no new work permit for your position can be approved — even if the employer wants to hire you and the position is genuine. Always ask your employer to confirm their remaining foreign worker quota capacity before the application begins.
4. Does the employer need to advertise the job locally first?
Yes. One of the requirements for a Ukrainian employer sponsoring a foreign worker work permit is demonstrating that the position cannot be filled by a Ukrainian citizen or permanent resident. This is the labour market test (перевірка ринку праці).
The employer must register the vacancy with the ДСЗ and demonstrate that the position was available to Ukrainian workers for a defined period without a suitable candidate being found. The employer also submits a declaration (заява) confirming this. The ДСЗ reviews this as part of the permit application. If the employer has not conducted this labour market test, the application will be rejected.
Note: There are certain categories of specialised or executive roles where the labour market test requirements may be applied differently. A Ukrainian immigration lawyer can advise on whether your specific position qualifies for any exemption.
5. What documents must the employer prepare?
The employer is responsible for preparing and submitting the majority of documents in the work permit application. The standard ДСЗ application package from the employer includes:
- Completed application form (заява) in the ДСЗ-prescribed format
- Certified copy of the employer's EDRPOU registration certificate
- Extract from the Unified State Register confirming active status
- Certificate from the State Tax Service confirming no tax arrears
- Copy of the employer's staffing table showing the position
- Draft employment contract with the foreign worker (in Ukrainian)
- Labour market test documentation (vacancy registration confirmation from ДСЗ)
- Documents confirming the foreign worker's qualifications (provided by the applicant)
The employer prepares the first set; the applicant provides qualifications, passport copies, credentials, and PCC. Both sets are submitted together to the ДСЗ by the employer.
6. Can I work for multiple Ukrainian employers on one work permit?
No. A Ukrainian work permit is employer-specific — it authorises you to work only for the specific employer named on the permit, in the specific position and location specified. Working for a second employer, even part-time, without a separate work permit for that employer is a violation of Ukrainian immigration law.
If you wish to work for two employers simultaneously, each employer must apply for a separate work permit on your behalf. Each application goes through the full ДСЗ process independently, including the labour market test requirement. This is uncommon and administratively complex but legally possible.
7. What if the employer withdraws the job offer after the work permit is approved?
If the employer withdraws after the work permit is issued but before you have entered Ukraine, the work permit becomes practically unusable — it is tied to that employer. You cannot use it to work for a different company.
If the employer withdraws after you have already entered Ukraine and are working, they are legally required to notify the ДСЗ of the termination of employment. Your TRP, which is based on the work permit, will also be affected — you may need to change the ground for your TRP or leave Ukraine within the timeframe allowed.
Employer withdrawal is a serious situation that requires immediate legal advice. It is one of the reasons why understanding your employer's financial stability and commitment before applying is so important — see our employer verification service.
8. Can I change employers once I have a TRP?
Changing employers on a work-permit-based TRP requires a new work permit from the new employer. The process is the same as the initial work permit application — the new employer must apply to the ДСЗ, conduct the labour market test, and wait for approval.
During the transition period while the new work permit is being processed, your legal status in Ukraine may be ambiguous. You should not simply resign from one employer and start working for another without the new permit in place. Coordinate the timing with a Ukrainian immigration lawyer to ensure continuity of lawful status.
Changing employers does not restart your TRP from zero if the new work permit is approved before the current TRP expires — the TRP can be updated to reflect the new employer. However, if there is a gap in employment and the TRP lapses, you may need to restart the entire process from outside Ukraine.
Have a specific question about your employer that is not answered here? Our employer verification service checks EDRPOU status, quota availability, tax standing, and contract compliance — giving you a written assessment before you commit.