Ukraine is set to review its immigration rules due to staff shortages and a lack of workers
This has been reported by Ukrainian media, citing a statement made by Kirill Budanov on 9 April.
According to Budanov, the issue of revising the list of ‘migration risk’ countries was raised following a meeting on Ukraine’s cooperation with African states. Following this meeting, he claims, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Security Service of Ukraine were tasked with preparing amendments to the list, which affects the rules governing the entry and legalisation of foreigners in Ukraine. He also made it clear that it would not be possible to completely resolve the issue, but that some of the barriers to business could be eased.
The issue has arisen against the backdrop of an increasingly acute labour shortage. According to the European Business Association, 74% of companies were experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in 2025. The EBA study also highlights rising wages, difficulties in recruiting staff and intensifying competition for talent.
In the construction sector alone, the labour shortage is estimated at over 30%, and according to some estimates circulating in business circles, as high as 30–50%. Construction is cited as one of the sectors where the labour shortage is already directly affecting project completion times and companies’ ability to scale up projects.
What is preventing businesses from hiring foreigners
During a discussion at the CEO Club, business representatives explained that legalising a single foreign worker in Ukraine can cost around 40,000 UAH, taking into account all mandatory and associated costs. They also claimed that, compared to Poland, the procedure in Ukraine is roughly four times more expensive and takes three times longer. They cited lengthy checks by law enforcement agencies and the complex work of consular services as additional barriers.
Budanov, for his part, acknowledged the security aspect. According to him, some foreigners do not remain to work in Ukraine after obtaining their documents, but use legalisation as a transit stage for further migration. This is precisely how he explained why the state still maintains a strict approach towards a significant number of countries included on the migration risk list. According to media reports, this list covers around 70 countries, particularly in Africa and Asia.
For the time being, this is not a decision that has already been taken, but a review of the rules. However, the statement itself indicates that the authorities have begun to publicly acknowledge that Ukraine’s domestic labour market is increasingly unable to fill vacancies, and the issue of labour migration from abroad is moving from the theoretical to the practical realm.
As reported by ThePublic, the Head of the President’s Office, Kirill Budanov, said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Security Service of Ukraine will review the list of ‘migration risk’ countries in light of businesses’ need to attract foreign labour.
Follow us on Telegram
