In Vinnytsia Oblast, six people were caught helping foreigners obtain residence permits
Under the procedural supervision of the Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor’s Office, six individuals were exposed for helping foreigners obtain residence permits in Ukraine in exchange for money. Among the suspects are the director of a state-owned enterprise providing passport services, two employees of the State Migration Service, and three of their accomplices.
According to the investigation, between April and July 2026, foreigners were offered the opportunity to legalize their status in Ukraine through fictitious employment. They were hired by sole proprietorships under the suspects’ control, after which, based on employment documents, they received permits for the employment of foreign nationals and two-year residence permits with the option of renewal.
This also granted them the right to cross the state border multiple times without additional visas.
According to preliminary data, approximately 60 foreigners were “legalized” in this manner. Each was required to pay 100,000 UAH.
During more than 30 searches, authorities seized 8 vehicles, cell phones, computer equipment, flash drives, over 30 bank cards, SIM cards, nearly $7,000, and documents related to the registration of foreign nationals.
All six participants in the scheme were detained. They are charged with organizing the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border, receipt of unlawful benefits by a public official, and influencing the decision-making of an authorized official (Part 3 of Article 332, Part 3 of Article 368, and Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The court imposed pretrial detention as a preventive measure on all suspects, with the possibility of posting bail: 1,996,000 UAH each for five of them, and 998,000 UAH for the sixth.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court conviction.
This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
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