The Ukrainian government began to strictly regulate the stay of
foreigners, especially those hired by local companies, back in
2009. Prior to that date, many foreigners simply ignored the local
registration and customs rules with impunity. However, the
Ukrainian "immigration revolution" began with the
government's strict application of the rules for applying for
and receiving temporary residency status in Ukraine. Thus, the
coveted "permission for temporary residency" was born,
which became the most sought-after document by foreigners who
wished to stay in Ukraine for extended periods of time.
In the beginning, permission for temporary residency was
directly stamped in a foreigner's passport by the local
immigration authority (OVIR). And, in this land of selective
implementation, it really was not difficult to obtain such a stamp
at the right price. Next, the local authorities were instructed to
issue a separate "passport-like" document with strict
accounting
