A temporary residence permit (TRP) rests on one ground, such as a job or studies, and ends with it. Permanent residence starts with an immigration permit under the Law “On Immigration”; the State Migration Service then issues a 10-year card that no longer depends on a job. Moving from one to the other is a separate application.
Ukrainian law knows two residence statuses for a foreigner, and both come with a card from the State Migration Service. The temporary one is governed by Law No. 3773-VI and Resolution No. 322; the permanent one by Law No. 2491-III “On Immigration” and Resolution No. 321. This page compares them line by line and lists the categories through which a Pakistani citizen can move from the first to the second.
- 01TRP on a groundWork, company stake, family, other Art. 4 grounds
- 02A qualifying categoryLaw “On Immigration”, Art. 4: e.g. 5 years on a TRP, or marriage over 2 years
- 03Immigration permitDecision of the State Migration Service
- 04Permanent residence cardFiled within 1 year · issued within 15 working days · valid 10 years
TRP and permanent residence, side by side
| Temporary residence (TRP) | Permanent residence | |
|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian name | Посвідка на тимчасове проживання | Посвідка на постійне проживання |
| Legal basis | Law No. 3773-VI, Art. 4; Resolution No. 322 | Law No. 2491-III “On Immigration”; Resolution No. 321 |
| What it rests on | One ground: a job on a work permit, studies, a company stake of EUR 100,000 or more, family | An immigration permit granted in one of the categories of the Law “On Immigration”, Art. 4 |
| Card validity | One year by default; work: the contract term; founders: two years; studies: the study period | 10 years |
| When the ground ends | The card ends with it (for work: Law No. 5067-VI, Art. 42-10; Resolution No. 322, para. 63) | The card keeps its term; it can be revoked on the grounds of the Law “On Immigration”, Arts. 12 and 12-1 |
| How it is issued | Filed at the State Migration Service at least 15 working days before your stay ends; card within 15 working days | Filed within one year of the immigration permit; card within 15 working days (Art. 11) |
The TRP card terms follow the State Migration Service's own description of the procedure. The details of the temporary card are in the temporary residence permit, explained.
Routes to permanent residence for a Pakistani citizen
Article 4 of the Law “On Immigration” sets out two groups. Part 3 lists people who receive an immigration permit outside the quota; part 2 lists categories for which the Cabinet of Ministers may set an immigration quota. The categories that fit work, family and investment cases:
| Category | Law “On Immigration” | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a Ukrainian citizen, married more than two years | Art. 4, part 3, item 1 | Outside the quota |
| Child or parent of a Ukrainian citizen | Art. 4, part 3, item 1 | Outside the quota |
| Five years of continuous residence on a TRP on the work, founder or other listed grounds (and their family members) | Art. 4, part 2, item 11 | Quota category |
| Foreign investment of at least USD 100,000 in Ukraine’s economy | Art. 4, part 2, item 3 | Quota category |
| Highly qualified specialist or worker in acute demand for Ukraine’s economy | Art. 4, part 2, item 2 | Quota category |
The five-year item was amended by Law No. 4191-IX of 8 January 2025. It counts continuous residence on a TRP issued on the grounds of Law No. 3773-VI, Article 4, parts 4–6, 8–12 and 15: employment, founders with EUR 100,000 in the company, several other activity grounds and family members of those holders. The study ground (part 13) sits outside that list: the five years are counted on listed grounds only, and student years are left out.
What changes when you become a permanent resident
- Your status no longer depends on one employer, university or company stake.
- A change of job needs no new residence application on a new ground.
- The card is valid for 10 years and is exchanged when it expires or your details change.
- The status can be withdrawn on the grounds in Articles 12 and 12-1 of the Law “On Immigration”, for example a marriage annulled by a court as fictitious.
Marriage-based applications are checked; the risks of arranged marriages are set out in fake marriages.
Questions about TRP and permanent residence
What is the difference between TRP and permanent residence in Ukraine?
Does a TRP turn into permanent residence automatically?
How many years on a TRP before permanent residence in Ukraine?
Can I get permanent residence in Ukraine through marriage?
How long is a Ukrainian permanent residence card valid?
Is the investment amount the same for TRP and permanent residence?
Read next
- Residence permit serviceThe TRP file at the State Migration Service
- Temporary residence permit, explainedGrounds, card terms and deadlines
- What a residence permit isBoth cards in one definition
- Residence permit FAQShort answers on filing, renewal and family
Sources
Choose a TRP ground that leads somewhere.
Eligibility assessment, $99: the ground for your TRP today and the category that could carry you to permanent residence, in writing within 3 working days.
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026. General information, not legal advice for your case. Residence and immigration decisions rest solely with the State Migration Service of Ukraine. Travel to Ukraine is restricted by the war; check current advisories before planning.