Work Permit Trends for Foreigners in Ukraine
In 2021, Ukraine issued or renewed 22,000 work permits for foreign nationals. By 2025, that number had fallen to 9,500—a 2.2-fold decline. At the end of 2021, roughly 300,000 foreigners were registered in the country. The war has devastated Ukraine’s economy, destroying up to 30% of it. Today, between 5 and 7 million Ukrainians live abroad, while another 5 to 6 million have become internally displaced. Last year alone, about 500,000 citizens left the nation.
According to data, 75% of Ukrainian businesses report a labor shortage. Of the 9,500 work permits issued, only around 6,000 foreigners are likely to actually arrive. Vasyl Voskoboynyk, head of the Migration Policy Office, noted that the 300,000 foreigners already in Ukraine held various legal statuses, such as permanent or temporary residence permits. He stressed that foreigners in Ukraine are nothing new, but recent media attention on recruiting them for business has sparked misconceptions.
'People have started drawing false conclusions that the millions of workers we lack will come from migrants abroad,' said Vasyl Voskoboynyk.
Ukraine’s Workforce Shortage
Voskoboynyk emphasized that some hold mistaken beliefs about migrants filling the country’s job gaps. In his view, this is an exaggeration because '6,000 people, 10,000 people, or even 60,000 people for a country of 30 million—these are tenths or hundredths of a percent of our population.'
Key industries hit by the labor deficit include:
- construction
- agriculture
- logistics
There is also an acute shortage of doctors, nurses, and teachers. Voskoboynyk added that recruiting foreigners involves finding them through intermediaries, handling paperwork, arranging flights via third countries, and providing housing and adaptation support—all of which significantly raise costs.
The sharp decline in work permits issued to foreigners reflects Ukraine’s strained labor market, worsened by the war and economic hardships. With a large share of the population having either fled abroad or become internally displaced, businesses face a severe talent crunch. This could have long-term consequences for Ukraine’s economic recovery and stability.
The recent decline in work permits for foreign nationals raises important questions about the future of Ukraine's labor market. As highlighted by expert Vasyl Voskoboynyk, this trend not only reflects the challenges faced by Ukrainian businesses but also underscores the misconceptions surrounding the potential of migrant workers to fill the labor void. For a deeper understanding of these dynamics and the actual impact on the workforce, you can read more in our detailed analysis on the decrease in work permits for foreigners.