In 2025, 9,582 work permits were issued to foreign nationals and stateless persons, and 3,310 were revoked. Thus, 6,272 migrant workers remained in the country, accounting for 0.14% of the 4.5 million workers needed to fill the labor market, a well-informed government source told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
The State Employment Service also confirms the small share of foreigners in the domestic labor market. According to the agency’s statistics, prior to the full-scale invasion, employers received approximately 21,000 work permits for foreigners annually.
“After 2022, this figure decreased and has not yet reached pre-war levels. For example, 4,720 permits were issued in 2024, and 7,483 in 2025. This is more than half the number issued before the start of the full-scale war,” the Employment Service’s website states.
The State Migration Service provides slightly different statistics. As of December 31, 2025, there were 47,684 foreigners and stateless persons (temporary residents) registered in Ukraine. Of these, 8,440 temporary residence permits were issued for the first time in 2025.
However, all agencies agree that the share of foreigners in the domestic labor market is negligible. After all, when processing documents, aside from the employer’s consent, numerous issues arise regarding visas, SBU checks, residence permits, and other matters, which is why only a fraction of workers actually come to Ukraine.
Thus, despite labor migration, the labor market is increasingly feeling a shortage of workers.
“That is why it is now necessary to develop a new migration policy, taking as an example the legislation of countries that are successful in this regard, such as Canada, Australia, or Israel. Then there will be no speculation, and the problem of securing a workforce for Ukrainian businesses will be resolved,” the agency’s source emphasized.
Although, in his opinion, it is certainly best to focus on preserving the domestic labor force so that Ukrainians return from the EU rather than leave for it. And only after that, once we understand how many workers are lacking and in which sectors, should we attract foreign workers for specific projects, establishing rules for employer companies and ensuring oversight of them by the State Labor Service.
