Ukrainian nationals travelling to the uk
Information for Ukrainian nationals on travelling to the UK, including advice on Permission To Travel letters and the Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme.
Arriving under Ukraine Schemes on Permission to Travel Letter
Where an application is made outside the UK for entry clearance under the Ukraine Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, applicants may receive a “Permission to Travel” (PTT) letter in certain circumstances.
The PTT letter allows individuals to travel to the UK before their application is decided, prior to providing biometrics. Upon arrival at the UK border, the applicant will be granted six months’ leave to enter. Before the end of the six months, the applicant must complete the Ukraine Scheme Status process to extend their permission to stay in the UK.
Important Update: Changes to Permission to Travel Letters
As of 13 February 2025, individuals will no longer be able to travel to or enter the UK using an open-ended PTT letter without accompanying permission to enter the UK. These letters will no longer be valid for travel on airlines, trains, or ferries, and anyone attempting to enter the UK with a PTT letter without prior permission will be refused entry at the border and may be returned to their departure point.
Key points to note:
- All applicants issued with a PTT letter who have not yet travelled to the UK have been notified of this change in advance of its implementation.
- Applicants who have been issued a PTT letter but not yet travelled will still have time to use their PTT letter to travel before the restrictions take effect on 13 February 2025.
- All applicants wishing to travel to the UK after the change must confirm that they have accommodation in place. This can be done by contacting their application sponsor or a UK-based family member.
- The Homes for Ukraine scheme will remain open, free of charge, for any Ukrainians wishing to apply to travel to the UK after the PTT letter system ends on 13 February 2025.
Support for displaced people from Ukraine travelling to the UK
The Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme offers free rail journeys across all train operators in England, Scotland and Wales. All Ukrainians who arrive in the UK will have 48 hours from arrival to access free tickets and complete their journey. You will need to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket to access this offer.
You will also be able to travel for free across London using TfL's London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), bus and tram services.
The coach company National Express offers free travel to Ukrainians who arrive in the UK. The free travel can be arranged from a UK arrival point to another location currently served on the National Express network. Individuals will have 48 hours to make their onward journey from arrival into the country.
Safety tips for families escaping conflict
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has set up information and support hotlines for persons in Ukraine and fleeing Ukraine in different countries.
Download our posters for safety tips if you and your family are on the move.
- Поради з безпеки для сімей (Ukrainian)
- Советы по безопасности для семей (Russian)
- Safety tips for families (English)
Anti-trafficking advice
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