Surge in Foreign Workers Headed to Ukraine: Fresh Figures from the State Migration Service

Foreign Employment Trends in Ukraine (2021–2026)

According to Главком: Newly released data from the State Migration Service tracks the number of foreigners who obtained work permits, employment visas, and temporary residence permits in Ukraine between 2021 and 2026. In 2021, 21,800 foreign nationals received work permits. That number dropped sharply to 6,279 in 2022 and fell further to 4,529 in 2023. However, 2024 saw a rebound to 6,127 permits, followed by 9,574 in 2025. During the first three months of 2026, 2,500 permits were already issued.

Additionally, Ukraine processed 2,324 work visas in 2024 and 2,829 in 2025. The data also breaks down work permits by nationality:

• Bangladesh: 600 work permits, 32 work visas, 7 temporary residence permits.
• Pakistan: 374 work permits, 29 work visas, 7 temporary residence permits.
• India: 946 work permits, 344 work visas, 220 temporary residence permits.

These figures point to a revival in foreign hiring, but some uncertainty remains. Vasyl Voskoboynyk noted:

'In other words, an agreement was signed, but the person never started working.' Vasyl Voskoboynyk

This highlights the need to monitor whether work permits actually lead to real employment, rather than just paperwork. The rise in permits during 2024 and 2025 may reflect Ukraine’s economic recovery and growing demand for foreign labor in key sectors. Still, the gap between issued permits and actual job placement raises questions about how effectively foreign workers are integrated into the Ukrainian labor market. Further analysis and process improvements will be essential to ensure that these efforts translate into genuine employment outcomes.

As the landscape of foreign employment in Ukraine evolves, it is crucial to consider the current status of migrant workers in the country. Recent reports indicate that only a limited number of migrant workers remain in active employment as of May 2026. This raises important questions about the effectiveness of the current labor integration strategies and the overall impact on the economy.