Ukraine is the 2nd largest European country in the world and is located in Eastern Europe. Indians have a sizeable community of around 10,000 people in Ukraine. The Indian Diaspora in Ukraine majorly consists of students as well as businessmen, workers, entrepreneurs, etc. The human influx increased rapidly after 2016 when the Ukrainian government allowed a “visa on arrival” facility to Indians.
Immigration quotas in Ukraine
Ukraine allows immigration on a certain basis, primarily to applicants who can potentially benefit the country’s interests. A quota is established by the Cabinet of Ministers in accordance with the preset procedure defined for each quota group.
Below is a list of quota groups that are included in the immigration list.
- Indians working in the field of science and culture
- Highly skilled or people with rare skills
- Indians showing intention to invest in Ukraine in excess of US$ 100,000
- Indians who have Ukrainian citizens related by blood (parents, kids, grandchildren, grandparents, etc.)
- Have lived beyond 3 years in Ukraine as victims of war, natural crisis, etc.
- Ex-servicemen (served in Ukrainian armed forces)
- If an Indian citizen is the guardian of a Ukrainian citizen or under the guardianship of one
Procedure to apply for immigration
Indians who fall within any of the immigration quotas can apply for immigration by following the below procedure
- Collect and complete the documentation requirements
- Visit a Ukrainian embassy, diplomatic mission, or consular post abroad
- Indians legally staying in Ukraine can visit the territorial SMS unit
- Duly fill out the immigration application
- Receive the immigration permit at the place of application
Services fees
Fees are charged in accordance with Section 1 of the “List of Fee-based Services” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Police, and State Migration Services. All fees are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
There are a few exemptions regarding the application of the aforementioned fees, which are:
- Chernobyl affectees categorized as categories 1 and 2 individuals are exempted from fees
- Veterans of the Great Patriotic War who suffered permanent or partial disablement and their families
Documentation requirements
The documents required to be filled and submitted are:
- Duly filled immigration application form; can be downloaded here03 photographs
- Identity document that certifies the applicant is legally staying in Ukraine
- Identity documents that certify the applicant’s home country residence, and stay in Ukraine
- Police character certificate; endorsing applicant isn’t an alcoholic, drug addict, or carrying contagious diseases
- Police endorsement that the individual is/was not criminally convicted in their hometown or elsewhere
- Other documents as may be required by the category of quota under which the applicant is being submitted
Note that under usual circumstances, the processing time for application review is one year; this duration can be stretched in case of any discrepancy, etc.
Permanent residency by investment
PR by way of investment is probably the quickest way to relocate to Ukraine. Though the method is limited to only those Indian nationals who can afford to invest US$ 100,000 or above, many Indians have benefited from the governments business friendly PR permit policy.
Investors have to comply with the tax and other laws governing business in Ukraine and may require professional services. However, the benefits that tag along with a business PR permit outweigh the fatigue an investor may undergo while setting up a business in Ukraine.
Benefits of business in Ukraine
Some of the advantages of operating a business from Ukraine are listed below:
- Readily available skilled and cheap labor
- Time zone compatible with European markets
- Ukraine has trade ties with over 46 countries including 19 free-trade agreements attracting international trade
- Access to key global business hubs such as Dubai, Brussels, New York, Berlin, Sydney, Istanbul, London, etc.
- Least costly production center in Europe
