Foreign nationals and stateless persons serving under contract in Ukraine's armed forces must hold a temporary residence permit by November 10, 2026, under Law No. 4730-IX, which entered into force on May 10, 2026. The Ministry of Defence has issued recommendations that move most paperwork onto commanders and unit staff.

Who must obtain the permit?

The requirement covers foreign nationals and stateless persons serving under contract in three formations: the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, and the State Special Transport Service. It applies across ranks and roles.

The permit itself is valid for the duration of the contract. As a general rule, it remains valid for six months after the contract ends, giving the former service member time to regularise their status. An exception applies when the contract was terminated through the fault of the foreign service member.

What are the deadlines?

Service members who signed a contract before May 10, 2026, and who still lack a residence permit or another document confirming the legality of their stay, face a deadline of November 10, 2026. Until that date, legal residence may be confirmed with a military registration document or a service ID.

For service members who signed on or after May 10, 2026, the deadline depends on when they entered Ukraine and on the validity of any existing residence documents they hold.

The State Migration Service issues the permit within 15 business days of accepting a complete application. The service member must collect the finished document in person.

How does the unit-based process work?

The new recommendations place the administrative weight on the military unit rather than the individual soldier. The Ministry of Defence summarised the aim as follows:

"The military unit organizes the preparation of the documents and the appointment, while the service member provides the documents that only they have and personally completes the necessary procedures. This will reduce the administrative burden on the individual and shorten the time they have to take away from their service." — Liubov Halan, Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Under the framework, the unit must:

• compile a list of foreign nationals and stateless persons serving on contract
• verify the dates their contracts were signed
• check that the documents required for legal residence exist and remain valid
• prepare the documents held by the unit
• confirm that the file is complete and coordinate it with the migration service in advance

What if the service member cannot attend in person?

Personal attendance is required only at stages that cannot be completed remotely: photography, biometric data, and signing documents. If a service member is receiving inpatient treatment, the unit may arrange for a mobile migration service team to visit the medical facility.

If the soldier is on a combat mission or faces security threats, the responsible official applies for an extension of the period of legal stay. Documents go in once the relevant risks have eased, the ministry said.

The migration service may accompany the service member during the in-person visit, and the unit organises the timely submission of the application.

Where can readers verify the rules?

The full recommendations sit on the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine's website, alongside Law No. 4730-IX. Application files route through the State Migration Service under the procedures that took effect on May 10, 2026.