One year of life under quarantine in Ukraine - what has changed in migration processes
A year has passed since Ukraine closed its borders, suspended the processes and made everyone work from home. Ukraine has adjusted to new conditions. So, let's review main points of changes in migration processes.
1. Borders. Like most countries, in March 2020 Ukraine closed its borders to everyone except Ukrainian citizens and residents. Only with a Ukrainian passport or residence permit it was possible to get into the country. Now borders are open from June 2020. At the moment, a citizen of any country can come to Ukraine after receiving a negative PCR test, not earlier than 72 hours before crossing the border.
2. Work permits. Little has changed in receiving this document. Now tt takes a bit more time to obtain the document itself and the system of filing the documents has slightly changed. However, for a company, as well as for a foreigner, the changes are insignificant and invisible.
3. Visa. Whether it is a short-term visa for tourist or business purposes or a long-term visa in order to obtain a residence permit, there are two questions - is the Embassy open and does it accept documents? The possibility to apply for a visa depends rather on the country where the particular Embassy of Ukraine is represented. Also, a few additional restrictions have appeared - most often countries issue visas only to their citizens and do not so willingly accept foreigners for application.
4. Identification code. The Tax authorities is very afraid either of COVID-19 or work. During every lockdown, issuing of identification codes stops until pandemic restrictions are weakened. This nuance directly complicates further processes. Without an identification code it is impossible to employ a foreigner and sign an employment contract even if a foreigner has a work permit. But with proper planning, you can reduce risks and get things done it time.
5. Temporary residence permit. Throughout the entire quarantine year, it was possible to apply for a residence permit; to receive, renew and exchange it. Moreover, the Ukrainian government made an unprecedented indulgence – foreigners were allowed to submit documents later than terms indicated by the law. The delay in application was confirmed by the necessity for temporary self-isolation.
6. Registration of residential address. Like the Tax service, registrars close their doors every time strict lockdown is in the air. More often nothing can be done in this situation. Registration of place of residence is an important step, although it is the last one. No chances to avoid it. There is a link to the actual place of residence. You cannot go to another area, where there are not such strict quarantine measurements, and apply for a registration. The only good news is that the fines for late registration were canceled. Therefore, we have to wait and finalize the migration process.
Summing up the results of these challenging 12 months, we want to say that even in the most difficult situations there are always two ways out. When public transport stops working, on one hand there is someone who gives up providing service and on the other hand there is ABEA, who is looking for opportunities how to work efficiently from home. Someone asks you to wait, since nothing works, but we ask you to give us time to find an alternative, or go to a place what it is partially open. One of the main principles of our work - we look for opportunities, not reasons.
Contact ABEA - we will help you find a way out of any situation.
Svitlana Mozharivska, Head of Legal Department at ABEA Relocation