Ukraine is not threatened by millions of labor migrants: expert named the real figures

There is currently no massive influx of foreign workers to Ukraine, and most Ukrainian companies are not even considering their employment. In 2025, about 9,500 work permits were issued to foreigners compared to 22,000 in 2021. This was mentioned in an interview by migration expert Vasyl Voskoboynik.

According to him, labor migration to Ukraine existed even before the full-scale war and will continue. The issue may become especially relevant during post-war reconstruction when companies will need additional workforce.

How many labor migrants will work in Ukraine in 2026

Voskoboynik noted that before the full-scale war, about 300,000 foreigners lived in Ukraine. At the same time, the number of issued work permits has significantly decreased in recent years.

In 2021, there were about 22,000 such permits, while in 2025, approximately 9,500.

Meanwhile, 86% of Ukrainian businesses, according to the data provided by the expert, do not consider the possibility of hiring foreigners at all. Another 12% are interested in this option and are collecting information, while only 2% of companies have practical experience in employing labor migrants.

«All these stories about dozens, hundreds, millions of labor migrants who want to come to us are simply not true. It is misinformation», — stated Voskoboynik.

Currently, an employer who wants to hire a foreigner must find a specific employee and apply for a work permit. After signing a preliminary employment contract, the foreigner processes the necessary documents for entry and residence in Ukraine.

From which countries workers can be recruited after the war

The expert believes that after the end of the war, Ukraine should define a list of countries from which it is ready to attract workers. Foreigners, according to his proposal, should be screened for security, and employers should be monitored regarding salaries and compliance with labor rights.

Such control, in his opinion, is primarily needed to protect the Ukrainian labor market from attempts to replace local workers with cheaper and unprotected labor.

«We will still be part of an open world. In such an open world, people will go abroad to work, earn money, return home, and some foreigners will also come to Ukraine», — explained Voskoboynik.

The expert considers the main indicator of a successful migration policy to be the situation where the number of people choosing Ukraine to live exceeds the number of those leaving.

Earlier, Vasyl Voskoboynik indicated that Ukraine is entering a phase of post-war reconstruction amidst a deep demographic and staffing crisis.