EDRPOU (ЄДРПОУ — Єдиний державний реєстр підприємств та організацій України) is Ukraine's Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organisations. The EDRPOU code is the unique 8-digit registration number assigned to every legal entity in Ukraine — companies, NGOs, government agencies, and all other organisations. It is the Ukrainian equivalent of a company registration number. Every legitimate Ukrainian employer has one. No EDRPOU means no legal entity.
What the EDRPOU Code Is
When a Ukrainian company, LLC (TOV), joint-stock company (AT), or any other legal entity is registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, it is assigned a unique 8-digit EDRPOU code. This code appears on all official company documents: the registration certificate, tax registration, bank account agreements, employment contracts, and work permit applications.
The code never changes — it stays with the entity from the day of registration until liquidation. If a company changes its name, relocates, or restructures, the EDRPOU code remains the same. This makes it the most reliable identifier for any Ukrainian legal entity.
| Full name (Ukrainian) | Єдиний державний реєстр підприємств та організацій України |
|---|---|
| Full name (English) | Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organisations of Ukraine |
| Format | 8 digits (e.g. 12345678) |
| Assigned by | Ministry of Justice of Ukraine at registration |
| Applies to | All Ukrainian legal entities (companies, NGOs, state bodies) |
| Public lookup | usr.minjust.gov.ua (free, no registration required) |
How to Look Up an EDRPOU Code
The official public search tool is the Unified State Register portal operated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine: usr.minjust.gov.ua. This is a free public service — you do not need an account, password, or fee to search.
Go to usr.minjust.gov.ua
Open the site in any browser. It is available in Ukrainian but the interface is straightforward. Look for the search field labelled "Пошук" (Search).
Enter the Company Name or EDRPOU Code
You can search by the company's Ukrainian name or by the 8-digit EDRPOU code if you have it. If searching by name, enter the full legal name as it appears on company documents.
Read the Result
The result will show the company's full legal name, EDRPOU code, registration date, registered address, current status, and legal form. This is what you need to verify.
What to Look for in the Registry Result
Finding a company in the registry is not enough on its own. Check these specific details:
- Status: зареєстровано (registered) — the company must be active. Statuses like "припинено" (terminated) or "в стані припинення" (in process of termination) mean the company is no longer fully operational.
- No bankruptcy proceedings — the entry should not mention санація (restructuring), банкрутство (bankruptcy), or ліквідація (liquidation).
- KVED code matches the work offered — KVED is the Ukrainian industry classification code. If you are being offered a construction job but the company's KVED shows retail trade, this is a red flag.
- Registration date is reasonable — a company registered 2 weeks ago offering work permits to foreign workers is a significant risk indicator.
- Registered address exists — verify the address is real. Mass-registered addresses used by shell companies are a known fraud tactic.
EDRPOU vs. RNOKPP — Company vs. Individual
These two Ukrainian registry codes are often confused:
| Code | What it identifies | Format | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDRPOU | Legal entity (company, organisation) | 8 digits | TOV, AT, FOP (sole trader registered as entity), state bodies |
| RNOKPP | Individual taxpayer | 10 digits | Individual citizens, foreign nationals with tax registration in Ukraine |
For work permit purposes, you need the employer's EDRPOU — the company registration number. The RNOKPP is relevant if you are dealing with a sole trader (FOP — Фізична особа підприємець), but note that FOPs have very limited ability to sponsor foreign worker work permits. See the Employer Requirements FAQ for details on FOP sponsorship.
Why EDRPOU Matters for Your Work Permit
The Ukrainian State Employment Service (ДСЗ) requires the employer's EDRPOU code on every work permit application. The ДСЗ independently verifies the EDRPOU in the Ministry of Justice register before processing the application. If the EDRPOU is invalid, incorrect, or belongs to a different entity than claimed, the application is rejected.
This verification step also means that any work permit document claiming to come from an employer that does not appear in the register — or whose register entry shows a different company name than the one on the permit — is a forgery. Attempting to use a forged work permit to obtain a visa or enter Ukraine is a criminal matter.
Red Flags: Signs Your Employer May Be Fake
- No EDRPOU provided. Any legitimate Ukrainian employer knows their EDRPOU code. If a recruiter cannot or will not provide it, the employer does not exist as a legal entity.
- EDRPOU returns no result. If the code entered in usr.minjust.gov.ua returns no result, the number is fabricated. Walk away.
- Company name on documents does not match registry. Fraudsters sometimes use real EDRPOU codes belonging to unrelated companies. Always match the name on the employment contract against the name in the registry under that EDRPOU.
- Company registered after recruitment began. If a recruiter introduced you to this "employer" months before the company appears in the registry, the timeline is suspicious.
- KVED shows no connection to the offered work. An employer offering you a job as a welder whose KVED codes are all financial services is not a genuine employer for that role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I verify the EDRPOU myself without a lawyer?
Yes. The usr.minjust.gov.ua portal is public and free. You can verify the EDRPOU code and read the company's registered status without any professional help. However, interpreting KVED codes, understanding bankruptcy statuses, and identifying sophisticated fraud (e.g. dormant shell companies with valid EDRPOU codes used for scams) requires legal knowledge. Use the public tool for a basic check, then have a professional verify the employer before signing anything.
What is an EDRPOU extract and do I need one?
An EDRPOU extract (витяг з ЄДР) is an official certified document from the Ministry of Justice confirming a company's registration details at a specific date. Unlike a simple registry search, an extract is a formal document that can be apostilled and used in legal proceedings. For work permit purposes, the ДСЗ typically requires a certified copy of the employer's registration certificate — not an extract per se. Your immigration lawyer will advise on exactly which employer documents the ДСЗ requires in your case.
What if the employer says their company is "in the process of registration"?
A company that is not yet registered in the EDRPOU cannot legally employ anyone or sponsor a work permit. If a recruiter is telling you to wait while the employer "finalises registration," this is either a fraud or an extremely premature stage to be promising you a work permit. Do not pay any fees or make any travel plans until the employer has a confirmed EDRPOU with active registered status.
Does the EDRPOU prove the employer is safe to work for?
EDRPOU verification confirms the employer is a legally registered entity in Ukraine. It does not guarantee the employer is financially stable, will pay wages on time, or will honour contract terms. A full employer verification — which includes checking tax compliance records, court dispute history, and actual business operations — goes beyond EDRPOU and is what a professional employer verification service provides.
Do not rely on a recruiter's word about your employer. Have a Ukrainian-licensed lawyer verify the EDRPOU, company status, quota availability, and contract terms before you commit to anything.