How to Extend Your Legal Stay in Ukraine as a Foreigner

What reasons qualify for an extension of stay?

Ukraine does not treat an extension as an automatic way to add more days to an ordinary visit. The State Migration Service must find a documented and justified ground for further stay.

Under Cabinet Resolution No. 150 and current State Migration Service guidance, recognised grounds include:

• medical treatment;
• childbirth;
• caring for an ill family member;
• a forced stay in Ukraine because of emergency circumstances;
• inheritance proceedings;
• having grounds to obtain a permanent or temporary residence permit;
• having submitted an application for an immigration permit;
• having submitted an application to acquire Ukrainian citizenship; and
• other circumstances that make it impossible for the foreigner or stateless person to leave Ukraine.

The extension is for the period during which the confirmed circumstances exist. Having a personal preference to remain longer, without a recognised and documented ground, is not enough.

What is the deadline for applying?

The foreigner or stateless person and the host party must normally submit the application no later than 3 working days before the current permitted stay expires.

Do not wait for the last day if you already know that you cannot leave. The deadline is tied to the end of your lawful permitted stay, so first establish that date correctly.

For nationals of visa-required countries and stateless persons, temporary stay is generally limited by the permitted period under the visa. Nationals of visa-exempt countries generally may stay for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, unless Ukrainian law or an applicable international treaty establishes another period.

Can you apply late but before your stay expires?

Yes, but an additional evidentiary requirement applies. If you submit the application later than 3 working days before expiry while your permitted stay has not yet expired, you must provide documents confirming circumstances that make your departure from Ukraine impossible.

This exception should not be treated as a routine alternative to the normal deadline. The documents must support the reason for the late application and continued stay.

Can you request an extension after overstaying?

The State Migration Service states that if the permitted period has already been violated, an extension application is accepted only after the foreigner or stateless person and the host party have been held administratively liable under the applicable rules.

An overstay therefore does not become lawful merely because an extension request is later filed. If your permitted period has already expired, deal with the migration violation directly with the State Migration Service rather than assuming that the ordinary pre-expiry procedure still applies unchanged.

Does your Ukrainian host need to attend?

Yes. The governing procedure provides for the application to be submitted by the adult legally capable foreigner or stateless person, or the legal representative of an adult legally incapable person, together with the host party.

If the host is an individual, the host's passport or passport document is required. If the host is a legal entity, the passport document of the legal entity's representative is submitted.

The host may also provide guarantees of sufficient financial support for the foreigner's continued stay.

What documents do you need?

The State Migration Service's current 2026 service information lists the core documents required for the extension procedure. The application itself is generated electronically when the documents are submitted.

You must provide a valid passport document, or a stateless-person identity document, and copies of the pages containing personal data. Those passport pages must be accompanied by a Ukrainian translation certified in the prescribed manner.

You also need documents proving the ground for the extension, the host party's identification document, evidence of sufficient financial means or corresponding host guarantees, and proof of payment or exemption from the administrative fee.

Documents issued by foreign authorities must be legalized where required unless an applicable Ukrainian international treaty removes that requirement. They must be submitted with a Ukrainian translation notarized as required.

If your extension is connected with a Ukrainian citizenship application for a child, the separate citizenship procedure has its own eligibility and document rules; see how to register Ukrainian citizenship for a child when one parent is Ukrainian.

How much does an extension of stay cost in 2026?

The State Migration Service currently lists an administrative fee of UAH 332.80, equal to 0.1 of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons established on 1 January of the calendar year.

It also lists UAH 17 state duty, equal to one non-taxable minimum income, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.

Where an exemption applies, provide the document establishing that exemption instead of assuming that no payment is required.

Can you apply for the extension online?

The application itself is not listed as a fully online public service. Current State Migration Service and Diia Guide instructions require the applicant to apply personally to a territorial body or territorial subdivision of the State Migration Service at the foreigner's or stateless person's place of stay.

The State Migration Service creates the application electronically during submission, but that does not make the service a remote online application.

How long does the extension decision take?

The current procedure provides that a decision to extend the stay or refuse the extension is made within 3 working days from the date the documents are accepted.

The State Migration Service checks the applicant's identity, submitted evidence and information available through relevant state information systems and registers before making the decision.

How long can your stay be extended?

The duration depends on the legal ground. Cabinet Resolution No. 150 provides that the stay is extended for the period during which the documented circumstances exist.

For temporarily staying foreigners and stateless persons whose case is decided by the relevant territorial State Migration Service authority, the procedure provides for an extension up to 180 days from the date of the last entry. Where the person has applied for an immigration permit or acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship, the extension may cover the period necessary to consider that application and, where applicable, complete the permanent-residence documentation or citizenship process.

Some cases are reserved to the Head of the State Migration Service or an authorized official under the governing procedure. Do not assume that every qualifying case receives the same number of additional days.

What document proves that your stay was extended?

An approved extension is entered in the State Migration Service information system using a qualified electronic signature. A registration number is generated for the extension.

The State Migration Service office that accepted your application then places a mark in your passport or stateless-person identity document showing the date until which your stay is extended and the extension registration number.

Under Cabinet Resolution No. 150, the foreigner or stateless person is considered to have an extended period of stay only when this mark is present in the relevant identity document.

The validity of the extension mark can be checked through the State Migration Service's official verification service using the passport details and the registration number shown on the mark.

Why can an extension application be refused?

The State Migration Service may refuse an extension when the legal conditions are not met. Current official guidance includes the following refusal grounds:

• insufficient financial means for the stay and no adequate guarantees from the host;
• reasonable grounds to believe that the actual reason or purpose of stay differs from the one declared;
• failure to provide evidence supporting the reason for further stay;
• official systems or registers do not confirm information supplied by the applicant;
• knowingly false information or forged or invalid documents;
• specified outstanding state, administrative or other obligations, including an unexecuted decision on forced return, expulsion or an entry ban;
• national-security or public-order requirements; or
• public-health considerations or protection of the rights and lawful interests of people in Ukraine.

A refusal decision stating the reasons must be sent to the applicant's personal email address no later than the next working day after the decision is made.

Can you appeal a refusal?

Yes. Under the current governing procedure, a refusal to extend the period of stay can be challenged within 10 calendar days from the date of the decision.

An administrative appeal is submitted to the State Migration Service when the refusal was made by a territorial State Migration Service body. The decision can also be challenged in court under the applicable judicial procedure.

For an administrative appeal, attach documents supporting the grounds for reviewing and cancelling the refusal. The procedure also permits a person to apply again within 10 calendar days after a refusal if the circumstances that caused the refusal have changed or been eliminated, provided the filing requirements can still be met.

An extension of stay is not a residence permit

An approved extension only extends the period during which you may remain in Ukraine under the relevant circumstances. It does not itself grant temporary or permanent residence status.

Having grounds to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit can be a recognised reason for an extension while the immigration process is being handled, but the residence document remains a separate procedure with its own requirements.

What should you check before going to the State Migration Service?

• Calculate the exact last day of your current permitted stay.
• Apply no later than 3 working days before expiry whenever possible.
• Identify the precise qualifying reason and obtain documents proving it.
• Arrange for the host party to participate and bring the host's required identification document.
• Prepare your passport copies and certified Ukrainian translation.
• Legalize foreign-issued supporting documents when required and obtain notarized Ukrainian translations.
• Prepare evidence of sufficient financial means or host guarantees.
• Pay the applicable administrative fee and state duty or bring proof of exemption.
• After approval, check the extended-until date and registration number in the passport mark.
• If refused, act quickly because the administrative appeal period is 10 calendar days from the decision date.