Solutions from Ukraine: Zelenskyi extends residency permit deadline for foreign soldiers until May 2027

10.11.2026, 17:31 rubryka.com

Foreign service members performing combat missions do not always have the opportunity to visit the migration service in person within the established timeframe.

The law will take effect on the day following its official publication.

The need for legislative changes arose after the Law of Ukraine No. 4730-IX took effect on December 17, 2025, which obligates foreign service members to obtain temporary residency permits in Ukraine.

Under the previous law, foreigners already serving when it came into force on May 10, 2026, had six months to complete the document, setting the original deadline for November 10, 2026.

However, some service members were unable to meet this requirement in time. According to the Ministry of Defense, executing combat missions far from their unit's deployment site prevented personnel from collecting necessary documents and visiting migration service offices while fulfilling their service duties.

Another issue affects service members who deploy to combat missions immediately after completing basic training, leaving them insufficient time to apply for a permit.

The signed law aims to resolve these situations and allow more time to organize the documentation process directly within military units.

The law sets application deadlines for residency permits based on when foreign personnel signed their military contracts.

Specifically, for foreigners and stateless individuals who signed contracts before May 10, 2026, the deadline to obtain a permit increased from six months to one year from the date the previous law took effect. Consequently, they can apply for the document until May 10, 2027.

For service members who signed contracts after May 10, 2026, but before the new law took effect, the legislation also provides the opportunity to obtain a permit until May 10, 2027. This provision applies to those who have not yet received the document when the new changes come into force.

The law establishes a separate procedure for foreigners signing contracts after the new legislation takes effect. Their stay in Ukraine will be considered legal from the contract signing date until they receive a temporary residency permit, provided this period does not exceed three months.

Regulating legal status after contract termination

The new law also establishes conditions for foreign service members staying in Ukraine after terminating their contracts.

In cases specified in the document, if a person lacks a temporary residency permit or another document confirming the legality of their stay in Ukraine, the authorities will grant them 3 months to regularize their legal status.

Furthermore, the law specifies the documents confirming the legality of a stay in Ukraine prior to obtaining a permit. For all specified categories of service members, valid proof includes a military registration document, a service ID, or a certificate issued in accordance with the Ministry of Defense standard.

It is worth mentioning that the press service of the Ministry of Defense reported in the summer that Ukraine simplified the procedure for foreign service members serving in the Defense Forces of Ukraine to obtain temporary residency permits.

Background

In 2022, Ukraine formed a dedicated unit from foreign volunteers—the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine.

In February 2026, news emerged that Ukraine integrated its international defense legions into the assault units of the Land Forces. Following the transformation, service members gained expanded service opportunities and access to additional weapons and resources from regular formations.

Specifically, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a mechanism to regulate the full cycle of support for foreigners and stateless persons—from their arrival in Ukraine to the signing of a military service contract.

Currently, volunteers from 75 countries serve in units of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with an average of around 600 foreigners signing contracts each month.