A visa is not a residence permit
For a foreign national, the passport used to enter Ukraine is their own country’s travel document, not an application for a Ukrainian passport. Additional requirements depend on nationality, purpose and visa rules. Check the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry guidance and competent Ukrainian mission before travel.
A D visa is intended for a subsequent application for documents permitting longer stay or residence. It is not the temporary residence card and does not replace an application to the State Migration Service. A temporary residence permit confirms lawful temporary residence under the relevant category.
Establish the ground and evidence
The SMS procedure distinguishes grounds such as employment, study and family reunification. There is no single complete package for every foreigner. Work applications require the appropriate employment authorisation or exemption, study applications use the institution’s documents, and family cases require the relevant relationship evidence.
The ordinary package includes passport documentation, the required long-stay visa where applicable, prescribed Ukrainian translation, medical insurance and payment or exemption evidence. Add the documents for your particular ground. Visa-D exceptions exist under Ukrainian law or treaties; do not assume every visa-exempt nationality is automatically exempt.
Initial issue and exchange have different deadlines
For initial issue, the SMS states that documents must be submitted at least 15 working days before permitted stay expires. Do not plan the first application for the visa’s final day.
For exchanging an existing permit because it is expiring, current guidance allows submission up to the final validity day. If fewer than 15 working days remain, apply only to an SMS territorial authority or unit. This exchange rule does not extend to initial issue or every CNAP.
Changes to personal details, loss and expiry also have their own conditions. Visa issue, extension of stay and card exchange are separate procedures.
Choose the competent office
Identify your ground and the appropriate SMS unit. For another authorised channel or a CNAP, confirm the actual technical ability to accept that application. Acceptance does not guarantee approval.
The special exchange window for previously expired permits identified by the SMS under Resolution 141 ran 7 May–4 August 2026. It had ended by the 26 October check. Do not interpret an older wartime extension as indefinite validity. If a deadline was missed, establish the lawful next step directly with the SMS.
If you need a permanent residence permit
A search for “residence permit Ukraine” may concern temporary or permanent residence. For permanent residence, check the separate DMS procedure, which concerns an immigration permit or a special statutory category. The immigration authorisation and the residence card are different documents.
The permanent residence permit guide covers the basis and documents. CNAP intake depends on the particular office’s technical capability; a temporary permit or visa does not replace this route.