Ukraine is one of the latest European countries which has passed a number of regulations aiming to attract foreign investors. With its fast growing economy, Ukraine is recognized as a reliable partner to the European Union, which, in 2016 lifted all travel restrictions for Ukrainian citizens. To further boost the country’s economic growth, the Ukrainian Parliament passed number of laws which enabled investors to apply for permanent residency and citizenship in a much simplified and shortened procedure.
Procedure and Investment requirements
Ukraine offers permanent residency through investment to all foreign nationals and their families (spouse and children below 18). Permanent residence permits are issued by the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior. This entitles the person to the same rights as a Ukrainian citizen, except the right to vote.
Benefits
Risk free investment in own company
No requirment to reside in Ukraine
Can work in Ukraine without work permit
Can receive free state education to family members
No taxation on worldwide income
Holding Ukrainian permanent residence for one year entitles you to apply for Ukrainian citizenship
No requirment to reside in Ukraine
Can work in Ukraine without work permit
Can receive free state education to family members
No taxation on worldwide income
Holding Ukrainian permanent residence for one year entitles you to apply for Ukrainian citizenship
Investment
The investor has to register his/her company in Ukraine, open a company bank account in Ukrainian bank and invest in it USD 100,000. In exchange for this safe investment, applicants from all nationalities can obtain permanent residence with only 2 statutory visits to Ukraine. The applicant will have to travel to apply for his Permanent Residence Permit, and later to apply and obtain his ID card.
Key requirements for applicants
The Applicant must possess a valid passport or another foreign travel document and must have a clean criminal record.
Close family members of the investor are eligible to acquire permanent residence and obtain Ukrainian citizenship in several ways. The main applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 18 are eligible to become permanent residents after the main applicant is granted resident status. A main applicant’s spouse is only eligible if the spouses have been married for no less than three years at the time of application. Spouses and children of the applicant are eligible to acquire permanent residence. Though, they will not be granted citizenship at the same time as the applicant.
The applicant must apply for a permanent residence permit and ID card in Ukraine. Applicants are not required to be in Ukraine during the whole process. However, when applying for a permanent residence permit and ID card the investor is required to be present in Ukraine. There are a number of documents that have to be prepared and legalized including, but not limited to, criminal record certificate, marriage license, proof of funds, etc.
Schedule of the process
Procedure and Investment requirements
The Investor may apply for Ukrainian citizenship by investment if he holds a permanent residence and maintains the investment for one year. There is no physical residence requirements or fluency in Ukrainian language as required by the general naturalization rules.
Benefits
Free movement in EU
No requirements to pass any general naturalization rules
No obligation to pass Ukrainian language test
No restrictions to buy agricultural land in Ukraine
Visa free travel for more than 134 countries
No requirements to pass any general naturalization rules
No obligation to pass Ukrainian language test
No restrictions to buy agricultural land in Ukraine
Visa free travel for more than 134 countries
Requirements
Ukrainian citizenship requirements for investors are as follows:
- Be of the age of maturity (note: children under 18 obtain citizenship when one of their parents becomes a citizen);
- Must have maintained permanent resident status and a valid residential address for the past one year;
- Has not been sentenced for a premeditated criminal offence and is not subject to criminal proceedings for such an offence;
- Possesses an income and/or occupation allowing him or her to subsist in Ukraine.