Ukraine · short term business
Short Stay and Extension of Stay
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Ukraine visitor-stay framework and extension process for people who need extra lawful stay time.
- Processing time
- The extension page lists review of up to three working days, extendable to ten days for additional verification and to fourteen days where documents must be submitted to SMS for decision.
- Government fees
- The official extension page lists a service fee, government charge and administrative service fee; confirm current hryvnia totals before filing.
- Typical duration
- Visa-free stays are generally up to 90 days in any 180 days; visa-required stays are limited by the visa validity period. Extension timing depends on the approved basis.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The State Migration Service explains that visa-required nationals and stateless persons are restricted by the visa validity period, while nationals of visa-free states may usually stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period unless an international agreement gives a different period. The extension page lists extension grounds including an immigration-permit filing, citizenship filing, circumstances preventing departure, medical treatment, pregnancy, care for a sick family member, inheritance matters and service duties for foreign media representatives.
Additional sources
Primary source
State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗ · State Migration Service of Ukraine
Link last verified:
Primary source
Issuing invitations and obtaining visa documents to enter Ukraine ↗ · State Migration Service of Ukraine
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The visitor is within the visa validity period or, for visa-free nationals, the 90 days in any 180-day framework unless another agreement applies.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- ✓An extension basis exists, such as an immigration-permit filing, citizenship filing, medical or family-care reason, inheritance matter, service duties, or circumstances preventing departure.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- ✓The application is submitted in person to the territorial SMS body or unit at the place of residence.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- ✓A host or legal entity can support the extension with identity, accommodation and financial-guarantee evidence where applicable.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
Common blockers
- !The applicant cannot show a valid extension basis or enough confirmation for the stated purpose.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- !Passport or identity documents are forged, damaged, invalid or inconsistent with the official template.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- !The applicant lacks sufficient financial means or corresponding guarantees from the host.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport or stateless-person identity document with personal-data pages, visa if applicable, registration stamp or immigration-card copy where applicable.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- ·Ukrainian translation of passport or identity-document pages containing personal data.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- ·Host identity, legal-stay, accommodation and financial-guarantee documents where a private person or legal entity hosts the applicant.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
- ·Four 35 mm x 45 mm photographs and payment evidence for the government charge or exemption.State Migration Service of Ukraine ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Check the remaining lawful stay using the visa validity period or the 90/180-day calculation.
Build the evidence pack
Confirm there is a documented extension basis before the current stay expires.
Submit through the official channel
Prepare applicant, host, accommodation, translation and fee evidence.
After approval
Submit to the territorial State Migration Service body within the official filing window before expiry.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Short Stay and Extension of Stay route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Short Stay and Extension of Stay.
State Migration Service of Ukraine · verified
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Frequently asked questions
How long can visa-free visitors stay in Ukraine?+
The State Migration Service says nationals of visa-free-entry states may generally stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period unless another international agreement provides a different period.
When should an extension be filed?+
The official page says extension applications are submitted not earlier than ten working days and not later than three working days before expiry.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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