Foreigners and stateless persons refused a temporary or permanent residence permit, or its exchange, often know only one thing: they were refused. To challenge the decision, you need to see what it is based on — which ground the migration service found unproven, which documents were missing, what information was checked.
Deadlines to keep in mind
- a refusal can be appealed administratively within 30 calendar days of the decision being communicated to the applicant; the deadline for going to court is set separately by the Code of Administrative Procedure;
- an appeal is not a permit and does not extend your permitted stay — lawful stay must be secured separately;
- under Article 203 of the Code of Administrative Offences, overstaying by up to 30 days is fined UAH 1,700–3,400, by more than 30 days UAH 3,400–5,100, and a repeat offence within a year UAH 5,100–6,800;
- foreigners and stateless persons who signed a contract before 10 May 2026, serve in the Armed Forces, the National Guard or the State Special Transport Service and have no permit or other document for lawful residence must apply for a permit by 10 November 2026.
Why you need the decision and the case file
Without the decision and case file it is harder to substantiate a complaint or lawsuit. The decision and case file show exactly which requirement the migration service considers unmet — the residence ground, medical insurance, translation, address details and so on. That determines whether to appeal or simply to reapply faster with corrections.
How to get the documents without visiting the migration service
As a party to the procedure you can ask the migration service in writing to let you review the case file and provide copies (Article 51 of the Law on Administrative Procedure); remote access is provided where possible, and restricted information is subject to legal limits. If you are in another region or abroad, or need certified copies for court, a lawyer can send a request in their own name:
- request for copies of documents related to migration procedures — applications, refusal or issuance decisions and other case documents;
- request about forced return or forced removal decisions — if such a risk exists after the refusal.
A lawyer requests information and copies of documents subject to access restrictions; the general response time is five working days, extendable to twenty where the law allows. The request does not overturn the refusal or extend your stay. So request the decision and case file at once while keeping an eye on the appeal deadline — do not delay a complaint just to wait for the reply.
In short
- An administrative appeal against a refusal must be filed within 30 calendar days.
- An appeal does not legalise your stay.
- Request the decision and case file immediately — the appeal deadline does not wait for the reply.
Up to date as of 23 October 2026. This article is for general information and is not individual legal advice.