Foreign Defenders Can Now Obtain Temporary Residence Permits in Ukraine
Luis Ortiz and a volunteer with the callsign "Lionel Messi" are both from Colombia. They came to Ukraine to help defend the country. Ortiz has been serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2023. He first fought in the Kherson region before being deployed to the Donetsk region. Lionel has also been serving in Donetsk for more than a year.
Today, both soldiers officially received their temporary residence permits in Ukraine.
According to Lionel, the application process was straightforward because his battalion and brigade helped prepare all the required documents, including his active military contract. The recruitment center also assisted throughout the process, making everything much easier:
"I'm very grateful because this document will help me build a more stable life in Ukraine."
Previously, foreign service members could remain in Ukraine only on the basis of their military documentation. This often created difficulties when accessing banking, healthcare, and other public services. The new regulations significantly simplify everyday life for foreigners serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Lionel says the residence permit provides several important benefits:
"With this permit, I can bring my family here, travel back to my home country, and then return to Ukraine. This document is important for my personal life, for my family, and for every foreigner who wants to come here and help defend Ukraine."
According to Luis Ortiz, the permit also makes it easier to open bank accounts, complete official paperwork, rent housing, access civilian healthcare, and use other public services. It also allows holders to establish a banking credit history.
"The main purpose of this document is to officially regulate our stay in Ukraine and give us normal civilian legal status."
For both soldiers, these are their first temporary residence permits in Ukraine. The permit is issued for the duration of a service contract and remains valid for an additional six months after the contract expires. This allows foreign service members to remain in Ukraine legally after completing their military service.
The Ternopil region became the first region in Ukraine to issue these residence permits to foreign military personnel.
According to Yaroslav Davybida, Head of the State Migration Service of Ukraine in the Ternopil region, cooperation has begun with the Recruitment Center for Foreigners and Stateless Persons. Under the current regulations, all foreigners who are already serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine—or who plan to sign a military contract—must obtain a temporary residence permit by November 7, 2026:
"Regardless of where they are serving, they may apply for a temporary residence permit at any office of the State Migration Service of Ukraine."
As Davybida explains, holding a temporary residence permit gives foreign defenders much easier access to banking, healthcare, notarial, administrative, and other public services in Ukraine.
Based on the original report:
