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Refugee status in Ukraine

The State Migration Service of Ukraine (hereinafter the SMSU) is the state authority which considers asylum claims in Ukraine.

Asylum seekers have a right to apply for a refugee status in Ukraine on arrival in Ukraine at the border or after crossing the border by visiting SMSU departments.

Asylum in Ukraine

According to the Law of Ukraine “On Refugees and Persons in Need of Subsidiary or Temporary Protection” from 08.07.2011 No 3671-VI (hereinafter – the Law), Ukraine provides protection to foreigners and stateless persons, who are seeking it on Ukrainian territory, by means of recognition as a refugee or a person in need of subsidiary protection (sometimes also defines as a complementary protection), or a person in need of temporary protection (this type of protection yet did not work out in Ukraine unlike two previous types).

Who is an asylum seeker in Ukraine?

Once the asylum claim is admitted the person becomes an asylum seeker – a person who requested the state authority of Ukraine to review the application and make a consideration.

Who is a refugee in Ukraine?

According to the Law, as a refugee may be recognised a person, who is not a citizen of Ukraine and who resides in a country other than the country of his/her origin as a result of fear of becoming a victim of persecution based on race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship (nationality), belonging to certain social group or political opinion and cannot use the protection of the country of origin or doesn’t want to use such protection because of such fears, or doesn’t have citizenship (nationality) and being abroad the country of his/her permanent stay cannot or do not want to return to his/her own country because of the mentioned fears.

Who is eligible for complementary protection status in Ukraine?

Person in need of complementary (subsidiary) protection is a person, who is not a refugee in accordance with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and the present Law, but is in need of protection whereas such person was forced to arrive in Ukraine or stay in Ukraine in consequence of the threat to his/her life, safety or freedom in the country of origin owing to fear of execution in relation to him/her a death penalty or implementation of judgment on death penalty, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

For complex migration issues, it’s advisable to seek assistance from a specialized lawyer for proper understanding of legal nuances. Consider scheduling a consultation.

Without a Lawyer

Complexity, bureaucracy, and intricacies.

Long queues and extended or missed deadlines.

High risks of errors and rejections.

Unnecessary waste of time and finances.

With a Lawyer

Clearness and dependability.

Swiftness and punctual adherence to deadlines.

Compliance and guaranteed results.

Time and cost savings.

How to request refugee status in Ukraine? How do I apply for asylum in Ukraine?

To apply for refugee status or complementary protection status in Ukraine, you must fill out an asylum application form and questionnaire, and submit it to the respective territorial body of the SMSU.

The SMSU will register your application, determine your identity, interview you and issue you with an asylum seeker certificate. Your application will be considered in three stages and you can expect a decision from the SMSU within six months after your asylum application. In case of a negative decision the appeal procedure can be lengthy.

Rights and Obligations of asylum seeker and refugees in Ukraine

Asylum seekers have the right to be provided with a document called asylum seeker certificate, which serves as a legal basis during the stay in Ukraine.

However unfortunately this type of document is not an identity document and provides a limited range of rights and benefits. Asylum seekers can apply for accommodation to the State Migration Service, which manages three temporary accommodation centres (in Kyiv region, in Zakarpattia region and in Odesa city).

Under the current Ukrainian law the Government provides limited free social and medical assistance to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers have a right for education. Asylum seekers must apply for a work permit if they wish to work.

Obligations and duties of asylum seekers in Ukraine

You have to demonstrate your cooperation throughout the asylum procedure. You should provide all relevant information and documentation to the SMSU. You have to provide the address where you reside in Ukraine as it is reflected on your asylum seeker certificate. If you do not have any residential address in Ukraine, you should register yourself at the centre for homeless persons. This is mandatory to everyone and in case of non-compliance, the person will have to pay a fine. You have to undergo a medical examination and appear at the appropriate SMSU office when requested to come for appointments.

If, for any reason and regardless of the time period, you go to another city or region of Ukraine, you should inform the SMSU about it. You should ensure that your asylum seeker certificate is timely extended. Otherwise, you will have to pay a fine.

Act promptly and reach out to an attorney for enhanced assistance and services. Schedule a consultation without delay.

After recognition

If the SMSU grants you refugee status or complementary protection you will have similar rights to Ukrainian citizens, including those to free movement and choice of residence, education, medical assistance, insurance and health care, family unity, marriage, labour, business activity, social benefits, and legal assistance. You continue to be obliged to respect the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.

SMSU will issue you a certificate stating your status as a refugee or person with complementary protection need. You can legally stay in Ukraine on the basis of this document for an unlimited period, unless there are conditions which cause you to lose your status as a refugee or person with complementary protection need. You must inform SMSU about any change of your address in Ukraine. Every five years, the validity of your certificate as a refugee or person in need of complementary protection must be extended.

Your family members who reside in Ukraine, including your spouse, children under the age of eighteen, parents incapable of working, or other persons under your guardianship, will also be granted the status of refugee or person with complementary protection need. If your family members are in a different country, you can apply for them to join you in Ukraine. If you have refugee status, you can1 apply for Ukrainian citizenship after three years.

What to do in case of negative decision on your asylum claim?

Refugee status determination procedure in Ukraine is very difficult and bureaucratic, and SMSU refuses many claims. Asylum seekers have a right to appeal negative decisions in 5 days either to the higher department of SMSU or to the administrative court, depending on the stage of the procedure.

During the appeal process the asylum seeker certificate is to be extended every 3 months until the consideration of the appeal.

The practice shows that in most cases SMSU and courts do not consider the appeals to grant the status to the asylum seeker, instead they return the claim at the very beginning stage in order to review the claim all over again with new interviews and review of information about the country of origin of the asylum seeker.

Take immediate action and contact an attorney to access exceptional assistance and services. Schedule a consultation right away.

Ukraine Immigration Lawyer

Ivan Goncharov

Immigration Lawyer

Bringing forth more than 10 years of hands-on expertise, I specialize in matters encompassing visas, border crossings, residence permits, immigration, citizenship, international protection, and statelessness. My legal services are tailored to ensure seamless migration experiences, with a particular focus on adept representation in migration disputes, the appeals process, and advocating against governmental inaction. My background and valuable experience spans across the private sector and international non-governmental organizations.

Prior to reaching out to a lawyer, take the time to formulate your questions. Be ready to make an investment in a personalized legal assessment and valuable recommendations.

Contact on +380987777756e-mail, WhatsApp, ViberTelegramYouTube and Instagram.

Attention

Devoting meticulous attention to every case, crafting tailored solutions that meet your unique needs.

Guarantee

Provision of legal services under the contract, flexible options for different budgets with staged payment.

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Court success may result in the defendant paying the lawyer’s fees, damages, and compensation.

See what our Clients say about us and our exceptional service

4.9
Based on 41 reviews
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Van H-yan
Van H-yan
20:45 22 Mar 23
Завдяки йому отримав нарешті дозвіл на еміграцію, за короткий час. Рекомендую звертатись до нього. Робить роботу якісно та швидко!!!
Подав дозвіл на імміграцію в 2021 році, до останього часу не надавали рішення, 15.03.2023 я звернувся до Івана Гончарова, щоб вирішити мою справу. Завдяки Івану Гончарову 21.03.2023 я отримав дозвіл на імміграцію. Справжній професіонал з великою літерою!
Valeria Vietrova
Valeria Vietrova
12:27 02 Dec 22
Дуже толковий і розумний адвокат.
Була проблема із забороною в'їзду для громадянина Еквадору, всі питання вирішили за 2 тижні, з мінімальними витратами
Martin Ellul Mercer
Martin Ellul Mercer
14:47 21 Jan 22
Я хочу поблагодарить адвоката Адвоката Ивана Гончарова за его помощь и профессиональные советы в получении моей визы. Без его помощи я бы никогда не справился один. Он ответил мне быстро и всегда был готов дать совет в любой момент. Спасибо, Виктор Мартин Эллул (Харьков)
Rooney Subhi
Rooney Subhi
13:05 06 Dec 21
lawyer Ivan is a great professional and as a person, his work ethics, his attitude and his knowledge all made up a great lawyer, he helped us to revoke my brother's entry ban, we are thankful for his services, thank you again.
Danii Thompson
Danii Thompson
14:00 20 Aug 21
Lawyer Ivan helped I and my sister with our visa application processes in Nigeria. We didn’t have to pay the “visa guarantee fee”. His instructions were simple and made the process swift. I’ll highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sharif Hamati
Sharif Hamati
09:31 20 Jul 21
I was planing to travel to Ukraine to get married to my fiance and host a wedding ceremony. even though all my papers were correct and had an official invitation from my fiance through the consulate, my application was initially rejected. my fiance found ivan online and we agreed to proceed with him. within 10 days of appealing through Ivan my visa came through. he managed to get the consulate involved and did a lot of work that resulted in a positive outcome.... Highly recomend dealing with him.read more
Дмитрий Тодавчик
Дмитрий Тодавчик
06:12 08 Jun 21
Хочу поблагодарить компанию AR MAX GROUP, в частности Ивана за проделанную работу. Настоящий профессионал своего дела. Мне поставили запрет на въезд в Украину, совершенно не понятно по каким причинам, ведь я ничего не нарушал. Иван быстро во всем разобрался ( оказалось запрет могут поставить за неоплаченный штраф, даже если его оплатил, но не предоставил квитанции куда надо ). В корокие сроки Иван решил мою проблему и добился анулирования запрета.
DanRie Permanent
DanRie Permanent
12:45 16 May 21
I turned to Ivan for help to find out if there was a ban on entry and if my payment for the fine had come. Since more than one service did not give me any answer, and I had plans to come to Ukraine as soon as possible, I turned to Ivan for help and he helped me find out all the necessary information in a short time and I managed to arrive as planned. All the necessary documents were sent to me by Ivan so that there would be no problems at the entrance, these... documents were necessary and everything went quickly and easily! I want to say thank you very much for solving my problem and doing everything possible for my arrival! I recommend everyone who has problems with the entrance to immediately contact Ivan for help, do not try to solve it yourself, as you can make many mistakes that I made, but we were able to prevent them in time!read more
Lesya Dutchak
Lesya Dutchak
17:38 28 Mar 21
До того як ми з батьком моєї дитини, звернулись до пана Івана, він отримав 5 відмов в отримані візи до України. Пан Іван добре виконав свою роботу, завжди був на зв’язку, консультував у всіх питаннях, і навіть йшов нам на поступки і корегував підготовлені документи декілька разів (в зв’язку зі змінами через карантин та іншими обставинами). Завдяки йому мій наречений отримав візу з першого разу після чергової подачі документів. Щиро рекомендую пана Івана, дуже йому... вдячна і задоволена виконаною роботою.read more
Telma Cling
Telma Cling
08:41 28 Mar 21
Amazing service, fast,reliable and satisfying!!! Thanks 👍
Сергей Иванов
Сергей Иванов
18:48 22 Feb 21
Привет всем !!Была проблема с вьездом на Украину. Обратился к Ивану с просьбой помочь. Очень компетентный специалист,все решилось быстро и с положительным для меня результатом. Всем рекомендую!!
Оксана Кузьминична
Оксана Кузьминична
08:27 17 Feb 21
Выражаю ограмную благодарность Ивану!!! Вопрос был решён посуществу в очень быстрые сроки и по приятной цене!!!
Nazarova Bahti
Nazarova Bahti
17:43 05 Feb 21
Вони професіонали .......
Miki  Fukaru
Miki Fukaru
13:41 16 Dec 20
Ivan is a great expert, both knowledgeable and has lot of experience in handling foreigners' cases. Fantastic to work with and discuss nuances of the case. Speedy delivery of his service led my case to success after ridiculous 3 visa rejections. Greatest example and proof that positive decision can be granted by the means of proper management of the law which Ivan does excellent.
Mwagambo Mwasaha
Mwagambo Mwasaha
12:35 14 Nov 20
they have great help and service to people .i will personally highly appreciate there help to my family. thank you so much.
Юлия Колодяжная
Юлия Колодяжная
14:52 27 Jul 20
Иван очень быстро помог решить сложный вопрос отмены запрета на въезд в Украину. Сама процедура заняла около 2 с половиной недель. Он постоянно был на связи, терпеливо отвечал на все вопросы. Шел на контакт и встречался, когда это было нужно. В конце концов, он просто очень вежливый, приятный в общении и адекватный юрист. Он берется за сложные и оч сложные миграционные проблемы и успешно их решает. Это был приятный опыт сотрудничества для меня! Мои лучшие... рекомендации!!read more
Pavel Pavlovskiy
Pavel Pavlovskiy
13:54 27 Jul 20
Свой опыт работы могу описать двумя словами: быстро и дружелюбно
Vordb Na Riidr
Vordb Na Riidr
06:23 21 Apr 20
Amazing service, fast, accurate, and friendly!
Rekar Dilzar Botany
Rekar Dilzar Botany
07:56 27 Feb 20
I highly recommend the AR Max group, they helped me with the appeal for a multiple entry Visa to Ukraine, I could get my Visa approved after rejection with the help of this group.
Timi Dapsin
Timi Dapsin
10:20 02 Feb 20
I will really love to thank Armax group and Mr Ivan for the legal assistance provided for me in getting my appeal. At first I was skeptical but I gave him a trial and he did his best to ensure I got the visa.
Thank you so so much.
Fleury Bonnevie Ntwari
Fleury Bonnevie Ntwari
22:44 22 Jan 20
He s very trustworthy and flexible
Markdon Scofield
Markdon Scofield
18:32 03 Jan 20
Owner has amazing experience 🙏🏼 thanks for the support
Ekow Brakwah
Ekow Brakwah
19:54 23 Dec 19
My daughter was denied students visa to Ukraine where she intends to study medicine. I had provided every document including invitation letter from the university, bank statements , sponsorship letter and others needed for Ukraine visa to VFS global ,Dakar.

Yet the embassy says we did not prove the purpose of stay in Ukraine ( as per the refusal letter)

I felt unfairly treated and decided to make an appeal. Having no idea as to how to write the... appeal letter, I went to the internet and googled " Immigration lawyers in Ukraine" I found Armax group and met them on WhatsApp.

Immediately they swung into action, in a space of one month the passport with the visa securely sticked in it was in my mail box !!!

Armax group are pragmatic and results oriented immigration agency. I recommend them to all who need their services.
Ekow Brakwah ( Guinea Bissau)
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Rufai Bala Balyson
Rufai Bala Balyson
02:24 24 Nov 19
Trusted Legal practitioner, offers Legal services and counseling on wide range of issues! Affordable services and swift response.. Mr Ivan is readily available for services and counseling too! Highly recommended
Olga Lila
Olga Lila
07:32 18 Nov 19
Before finding u Mr.Ivan, we received two visa refusals to Ukraine. But when u took care of our case, everything went perfectly and in a short time we got a positive result.
We are extremely grateful to u for your work. You are a true professional in your business. You are like St. Nicholas, who gives happiness. We will definitely recommend u to anyone who needs quality legal assistance. Thank you.
Sameh Omar
Sameh Omar
19:35 17 Nov 19
I was denied my visa application and then we contacted with the lawyer mr. Ivan and he accepted our case and he realy did a great job and professionally and helped me and my fiancée a lot until I got the visa and now after this experience I advise everyone with confidence to deal with AR MAX GROUP
Muhammad Omar
Muhammad Omar
11:55 12 Nov 19
I would like to share an interesting story with my fellow applicants at Ukraine Embasy. I had applied for a long time study visa in Nairobi and got a refusal as a feedback, then I decided to do an appeal with the help of Mr Ivan the appeal went successfully i managed to get my visa and very fast , he’s very well understanding lawyer and very good too in English and he’s quick at responding to every type of questions you would like to know. so I would recommend any... body who wants to do an appeal to face Mr Ivan he’s trustworthy too
Thanks .
read more
Monjur Hossain Sajib
Monjur Hossain Sajib
19:09 26 Jul 19
AR MAX Group very faithful and one of the most trustable law firm company in Ukraine.Thank you so much Advocate Mr Ivan sir.
They provide me a valuable service with good responses and done my work within given time.when you want any kind of legal information you can try to contact with him.I hope you will be satisfied with his work.Again thank you so much AR MAX GROUP.
Ella Bella
Ella Bella
10:25 25 May 19
5 * service. Ivan is professional and pays close attention to detail. He assisted me in applying for a visa for my mother and it was very reassuring to have someone so knowledgeable to guide us. it was a pleasure doing business with him.
Rahul Raj
Rahul Raj
10:42 19 Oct 18
Very helpful group in legal services. Mr. IVAN is really helpful and knowledgeable person. Removed my entry ban within 2 weeks that too at a very affordable cost. Best legal services group in Ukraine.
Lydia Dakwa Ohene
Lydia Dakwa Ohene
23:27 09 Nov 17
Always deliver excellent job. I engaged Ivan's services in obtaining citizenship for my baby and within a period of three months all was set.
Great job!!! Keep it up.
Tinyang Rimande
Tinyang Rimande
15:23 10 Oct 17
I am satisfied with their services.excellent job..
Iyanu Irene Junaid
Iyanu Irene Junaid
11:23 10 Jun 17
Their services is very good.
They respond promptly and the lawyer is a very competent lawyer.
Thanks a lot Ar max group
Ibrahem Khalil
Ibrahem Khalil
14:52 23 Dec 16
Nikolay  Mironchenko
Nikolay Mironchenko
12:57 10 Mar 16
Bohdan Wetson
Bohdan Wetson
04:48 31 Dec 15
Aleqsandre Maisuradze
Aleqsandre Maisuradze
13:36 07 Aug 15
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5.0
Based on 31 reviews
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Roma Nepust
Roma Nepust
11:45 04 Jan 24
I would like to express my gratitude to my lawyer for his professional and effective work in lifting the entry ban. His professionalism, attention to detail and deep knowledge of the law played a key role in the successful resolution of my situation.
Serhii
Serhii
23:38 24 Nov 23
I never thought that I would have to resort to the services of a lawyer, but it happened, and I’m so glad that it turned out to be Ivan Goncharov. A true professional in his field, who won 2 trials out of a hopeless situation for us, and literally gave us a second chance at life. Ivan, thank you so much again!🙏
Drew Katzman
Drew Katzman
13:19 13 Nov 23
Ivan is terrific. He is knowledgeable, thorough, and easy to communicate with. Over the past year he has helped me navigate the intricacies and the challenges of an immigration system that is not easy and not always welcoming - especially for someone from a foreign country who does not speak the language. He helped me deal with every issue, from the mundane to the truly challenging. He charges fairly and is generous with his time. ... A very good communicator.read more
Shmuel Isaac
Shmuel Isaac
15:09 31 Aug 23
Top 1! Fast and professional service, specializing in all entry bans to Ukraine. Several of my friends have arranged with him the problems they had, and they were not disappointed, highly recommend.
Andrii Moraru
Andrii Moraru
20:26 04 Aug 23
An excellent specialist! He very quickly helped resolve the issue of an unfairly imposed entry ban. Explains everything very clearly. The price is reasonable.
VAS BV
VAS BV
09:39 04 May 23
I am also sincerely grateful to Ivan Goncharov, in fact, this man is a professional in his field! The main thing is that in a short time, without unnecessary questions and clearly he helped me lift the ban on entry into Ukraine. I recommend it to everyone without a doubt!
Viktoriya Sklyarenko
Viktoriya Sklyarenko
16:06 25 Apr 23
I am very grateful to Ivan Alesandrovich Goncharov for the quick and qualified assistance provided in resolving the issue of lifting the ban on entry into Ukraine for a citizen of Moldova. Very competent and comprehensive consultations, always in touch. I recommend him as a competent specialist, a professional in his field, an honest and decent person!!!
Sajib Svitlana
Sajib Svitlana
16:35 11 Dec 21
I would like to express my gratitude to Ivan Alexandrovich for his professional work!I have been cooperating with Mr. Ivan for a long time,for the first time we applied for legal assistance in 2019,when I was expecting a visa to Ukraine.With his professional approach to his work,I was able to obtain a D Visa and live with my family. Living on the territory of Ukraine,I faced a new problem,due to an error in the translation of the... document,the temporary residence permit in Ukraine was canceled and withdrawn.Upon re-submission of documents,I was denied a temporary residence permit.And again, thanks to Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov,He were able to win a lawsuit in my favor!Due to the difficult path of waiting and fighting for my rights,I received a residence permit in Ukraine! Thank you Mr. Ivan for your constant support,professional work, you are a person who really works at the call of your heart! Me and my wife wish you career growth and win the cases that you undertake!read more
Ikyav Williams
Ikyav Williams
20:36 07 Dec 21
I just want to say thank you to Lawyer Ivan! I found him on google and after reading the reviews I was confident in his services. I wasn’t sure if I banned from entering Ukraine or not so He found out all that we needed to, got relevant documents and was able to sort the ban out in a very very short time. He’s professional, he’s well skilled and highly knowledgeable of his field of work, his prompt response and patience in explaining.... He’s trustworthy, you can be sure he’s not gonna take your money and run away. Infact he doesn’t take any money until he finds out what the situation is with you then he renders his legal assistance afterwards. If you know anything about Ukraine, you should know it’s best to seek professional help in order to avoid a greater roadblock and financial loss. He’s the way to go, and let me tell you, he knows exactly what he’s doing. Very impeccable service. Please research, don’t try to us the back door, seek professional help and I’d recommend him 1000%!!!read more
Rooney Subhi
Rooney Subhi
13:08 06 Dec 21
Great service and nice people is all we need to have a good day
Mohamed Masry
Mohamed Masry
11:24 10 Oct 21
Ivan is more than a professional lawyer, he is a great person.He helped me with the appeal for Visa Refusal from embassy of Ukraine in Kuwait.He responded quickly and provided the best support you can ask for.Ivan even did things that he was not obligated to do, out of best interest for my case.He is very attentive to detail, and I could not ask for a better advocate to handle my case.Within one week of working with Ivan, I... received my visa without any complications, all this was a result of his expertise and knowledge in the LawWith a clear heart I recommend Ivan for anyone having any problems with Visa or Immigrationread more
Daniella Thompson
Daniella Thompson
15:25 20 Aug 21
Lawyer Ivan helped I and my sister with our visa application processes in Nigeria. We didn’t have to pay the “visa guarantee fee”. His instructions were simple and made the process swift. I’ll highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yuriy Fomenko
Yuriy Fomenko
17:14 17 Aug 21
If you are experiencing any visa problems or difficulty in obtaining an entry visa or temporary residence in Ukraine, don't waste your time and money to try and solve it yourself, you will not succeed!!!.Even if you use a foreign lawyer outside the borders of Ukraine, you will not succeed.I tried for more than three years to obtain an entry visa to Ukraine for medical treatment, it was simply refused by all Ukrainian authorities.No... issue is unsolvable for Mr. Ivan Goncharov, he knows every comma and point of the Ukrainian law concerning Immigration and Visas.Follow his advice and pay his very reasonable fees, and within four to six weeks you'll be back in Ukraine.Francis Fairman.read more
Valeriya Kravchenko
Valeriya Kravchenko
10:47 20 Jul 21
Ivan is an excellent specialist and a true professional! My fiance was refused a visa to Ukraine 2 months before our wedding, we filed an appeal with Ivan's help and got a visa! Ivan led our case from the start to finish, he was always available and answered all possible questions. Moreover, he gave a consultation even after we got a visa to make sure we are prepared for passport control. Highly recommend!
Elena Babak
Elena Babak
13:43 16 Dec 20
Ivan is a great expert, both knowledgeable and has lots of experience in handling foreigners' cases. Fantastic to work with and discuss nuances of the case. Speedy delivery of his service led my case to success after ridiculous 3 visa rejections. Greatest example and proof that positive decision can be granted by the means of proper management of the law which Ivan does excellent.
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