Exchange of a temporary residence permit until August 4, 2026: who is obliged and what will happen if the deadline is missed

A period of critically important legislative changes has begun for foreigners and stateless persons residing in Ukraine. The government has set a clear timeline for regularizing the legal status of foreign nationals whose documents were altered during the period of martial law.

According to the new Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 141 dated February 5, 2026, a strict deadline has been set for the mandatory renewal and exchange of temporary residence permits. Foreign nationals subject to this resolution have only a few months—from May 7 to August 4, 2026—to submit documents for renewal.

In this guide, we will examine in detail who is required to undergo the procedure, what documents will be needed, and the consequences of failing to meet the deadline set by the state.

Who is required to renew their temporary residence permit by August 4, 2026?

Previously, at the start of the full-scale invasion, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed foreigners to use expired permits if their validity expired after February 24, 2022. However, with the adoption of Resolution No. 141, the rules have changed dramatically. The period of automatic renewal without leaving the country has ended.

Today, the following individuals are subject to the new rules and mandatory renewal:

• Foreign citizens whose temporary residence permit (TRP) renewal or expiration date fell after February 24, 2022.
• Individuals who were unable to apply to the State Migration Service (SMS) in a timely manner due to their presence in combat zones, areas of temporary occupation, or abroad, but are currently in Ukraine.
• Foreign nationals who have grounds for continued stay in Ukraine (employment, education, family reunification, volunteering), but whose current residence permit is considered expired or overdue.

Attention! If your document expired in 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 and you took advantage of the grace period, you must contact the State Migration Service or accredited centers between May 7 and August 4, 2026. Outside of this window, the documents will lose all legal validity.

What happens if you miss the deadline? Consequences for Foreign Nationals

Failure to comply with CMU Resolution No. 141 or even a simple delay of just one day after August 4, 2026, will result in serious legal and administrative consequences:

1. Loss of legal grounds for staying in Ukraine. After August 4, an expired residence permit automatically becomes invalid. The foreign national will be considered to be residing in the country illegally (an illegal migrant).
2. Heavy fines. According to Article 203 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (CUAO), residing with invalid documents or without them carries substantial monetary fines for both the foreign national and the host party (employer, educational institution, or spouse).
3. Forced return or deportation. The State Migration Service has the full right to decide on the forced return of a foreigner to their country of origin, with a possible subsequent ban on entry into Ukraine for a period of 3 years or more.
4. Blocking of financial and civil transactions. Banks will freeze accounts due to invalid documents, making it impossible to secure formal employment, rent property, register a marriage, or access any government services.

Step-by-step guide to renewing a temporary residence permit

The procedure requires attention to detail and a thorough collection of supporting documents. Since the workload on the State Migration Service and passport offices during this period (May–August 2026) is enormous, you should start preparing your application package today.

Step 1. Verifying Eligibility

To renew your residence permit, it is not enough to simply bring your old permit. You must confirm that the reason for which the document was originally issued to you remains valid. For example:

• A valid work permit from the Employment Center.
• A certificate from the university (for students).
• A marriage certificate with a Ukrainian citizen.

Step 2. Gathering the required documents

You will need:

• The original residence permit to be renewed;
• The foreigner’s passport (original and a notarized translation into Ukrainian);
• Documents confirming the grounds for extending residence;
• Receipts for payment of the administrative fee and state duty;
• A health insurance policy valid for the entire duration of the new residence permit.

Step 3. Submission and biometrics

The foreign national must appear in person at a State Migration Service (SMS) office or a Center for Administrative Services (CAS) to have their fingerprints scanned, have a digital photograph taken, and sign the application form.

Why should you turn to the professionals at Enwolt?

Long lines at immigration offices, specific requirements for transliteration in translations, and the risk of having your application denied due to an incorrectly filled-out form—all of this could mean you simply won’t be able to obtain your document by the August 4 deadline. And with time running short, any mistake becomes critical.

Enwolt Law Firm, located in the heart of Kyiv, offers full turnkey support for the entire process. We will help you avoid bureaucratic pitfalls, promptly prepare documents, provide certified translations, and ensure a quick and stress-free completion of all stages.

You can review the full process of our support and sign up for an urgent consultation on the dedicated page for our service—Temporary Residence Permit in Ukraine.

If your plans have changed or you need comprehensive legalization of other personal documents, retrieval of certificates from state registries, or legal assistance for your business, visit our homepage at Enwolt, where you’ll find a complete list of our company’s legal services.

Don’t put off legalization until the last minute—secure your legal status in Ukraine on time with the reliable Enwolt team!