Appealing the refusal to issue a work permit in Ukraine

 YOUR GOAL

Obtain a work permit.

But at the moment you have received either a refusal of the permit or a refusal to accept the documents for obtaining a work permit.

Common reasons for refusal of a work permit in Ukraine, one of which you might have encountered:

Problems with documents and information

• Errors in documents: If the application or any other document contains mistakes, inaccuracies, or is not prepared in the required format.
• Incomplete set of documents: If the employer did not provide all the necessary documents required by law.
• False information: If false or inaccurate data is found in the application or documents (this may be grounds for withdrawal of the work permit in the future).
• Unsubstantiated application: If the employer submitted justification for hiring a foreigner, but the competent authority found it insufficient or unsubstantiated.

Violations of procedures and deadlines

• Missing the deadline to correct mistakes: If the authority returned the application for revision (left it without progress), and the employer did not correct the mistakes within the set period.
• Late submission of documents: If the application to extend the work permit was submitted late.
• Failure to provide a copy of the employment contract: If the employer did not submit a signed copy of the employment contract within the legal deadline.
• Contract non-compliance with the law: If the terms of your employment contract violate Ukrainian labor law.

Problems with the employer

• No data about the company (sole proprietor): If the register does not contain information about the employer, or it shows liquidation or termination of business activity.
• Lack of authority: If the documents were submitted on behalf of the employer by a person without legal authority (for example, not the director and without power of attorney).
• Non-payment of taxes: If the employer has not paid taxes on your behalf after the employment contract came into force.

Legal and security restrictions (grounds for refusal or withdrawal)

• Repeated refusal within a year: If the permit was withdrawn earlier (for certain reasons), and the employer applied again within one year.
• National security threat: If the National Police, Security Service of Ukraine, or another government body considers that your employment contradicts national security, public order, or public health (especially relevant for citizens of Russia and Belarus).
• Criminal offenses: Existence of a final court conviction against you.
• Deportation/forced return: Existence of a valid decision on deportation or forced return from Ukraine.
• Expulsion from university: If you were expelled from a Ukrainian university (relevant for permits issued on the basis of study).
• Improper employment: If it is established that you are working under conditions other than those specified in the permit, or working for another employer (except in cases of permitted part-time work).

Then this service is exactly for you!

 OUR OFFER

Refused a work permit? What to do and why time is against you?

Refusal to issue a work permit for a foreigner is a serious blow both to the specialist’s plans and to the employer’s business processes. However, it is important to understand: the decision of the Employment Center is not final. It can and should be appealed, proving the legality of your intentions. In this article, we explain how to act correctly and why ignoring this problem leads to disrupted plans and financial losses.

Step 1: Professional case analysis. Before making any decisions, a thorough analysis must be carried out. This is the key stage that determines the further strategy.

What a migration lawyer does:

• Analyzes the reasons for refusal: carefully studies the official grounds for refusal and reviews the document package submitted to the Employment Center.
• Monitors all deadlines: checks the validity of the foreigner’s stay in Ukraine, document validity, and deadlines for appeal.
• Develops a defense strategy: finds the optimal solution for your specific situation and determines which of the two paths will be most effective.

Step 2: Two ways to solve the problem. After analyzing the situation, it becomes clear which strategy to pursue.

• Path 1: Preparing and submitting a new set of documents. This option is suitable if the refusal was justified and related to errors that can be corrected. For example: an incomplete document package was submitted. Errors or inaccuracies were made in the application or other documents. The documents did not meet the established requirements (e.g., translation or legalization issues). In this case, we help quickly fix all shortcomings, prepare a flawless package, and resubmit it.
• Path 2: Appealing the refusal decision. This path is the only correct one if the refusal was unlawful and unfounded, and all documents were in order. For example, the Employment Center misinterpreted the law or unjustifiably declared a document invalid. There are two ways to appeal:
  Administrative appeal: Filing a complaint to a higher authority — the State Employment Center. This is a faster and cheaper way.
  Court appeal: Filing an administrative claim in court demanding to cancel the unlawful decision. This process takes longer but is the most reliable tool to protect your rights.

"What if I do nothing?" — Real consequences for the foreigner and the employer.
Some believe they can simply wait and reapply. This is a big mistake that can have critical consequences.

What really happens: Loss of legal grounds for staying in Ukraine. If the foreigner is already in Ukraine, refusal of the permit may lead to the expiration of legal stay and the need to leave the country.
Disruption of work plans and financial losses for the employer: the company cannot officially employ the needed specialist, leading to downtime, project delays, and lost profits.
Complications for future applications: an unchallenged refusal remains in databases. This creates a negative history that will be taken into account in all subsequent applications for permits or residence, increasing the risk of new refusals.

Conclusion.
Refusal to issue a work permit is not just a bureaucratic obstacle, but a serious threat to the plans of both the foreigner and the employer. Ignoring this problem leads to loss of time, money, and opportunities. If you face such a situation, do not delay. Timely professional assistance is the best way to protect your interests and achieve the desired result in the shortest time.

 Case Study

Situation: A Turkish citizen, 38 years old, civil engineer, received a job offer from a major construction company in Kyiv. The employer submitted documents to obtain a work permit. After 20 days, the Employment Center issued a refusal, stating: 1) the submitted diploma lacked an official Ukrainian translation; 2) the employment contract contained a technical error in the date; 3) the employer did not provide a tax clearance certificate. As a result, the foreigner was left without a work permit and risked losing the job offer.

Solution:

• Conducted a detailed analysis of the Employment Center’s decision and found that the refusal was formal and did not take into account the essence of the employment relationship.
• Arranged an urgent official notarized translation of the diploma into Ukrainian.
• Corrected the employment contract: clarified dates and details, added all signatures and seals.
• The employer provided a tax clearance certificate confirming no tax debts.
• Prepared a full package of additional evidence: proof of the company’s financial stability, a letter from the employer on the specialist’s uniqueness for the project, copies of previously completed contracts.
• Filed an administrative complaint with the regional Employment Center demanding to cancel the refusal as unlawful.
• The complaint was upheld: the previous decision was recognized as unfounded, and the documents were sent for reconsideration.
• 15 days after filing the complaint, the foreigner was granted a 3-year work permit.

Result: Thanks to quick correction of formal errors and proper legal support, the court process was avoided. The foreigner officially obtained employment and a temporary residence permit in Ukraine. This case shows that even serious refusals can be successfully appealed in a pre-trial procedure if documents are properly prepared.

Even if there is a refusal — it can be appealed. Success depends on proper reasoning, a complete document package, and correct preparation. Contact professionals — we will help you appeal the refusal of a work permit and obtain the permit!

 DOCUMENTS

Documents for appealing a work permit refusal

We will help you properly prepare the **appeal against a work permit refusal** and submit the full package of documents in a timely manner to obtain the permit.

 Price

Appealing a work permit refusal, timeline and cost of services

We guarantee the final result - Obtaining a work permit in Ukraine.

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