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.
On this page, you can find information for the following (click to jump to the section):
Arriving under Ukraine Schemes on Permission to Travel Letter
If you applied to Homes for Ukraine from outside the UK before 7 December 2023, and didn’t go to a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ application, you might be issued a “Permission To Travel” (PTT) letter. This letter allows you to travel to the UK until 13 February 2025.
If you came here with a PTT, you will receive a stamp that lets you stay in the UK for up to 6 months. Before this period ends, you will need to complete an application for permission to remain. You will need to arrange an appointment to provide your biometrics to access the rest of your 36-month permission to stay in the UK.
- From 13 February 2025, PTT letters without accompanying digital visa entry permission are invalid for travel. Airlines, trains, and ferries will refuse entry to the UK without prior permission.
- You must confirm you have a place to live in the UK by contacting your sponsor or a UK-based family member.
- The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open and free for new applications after the PTT letter system ends.
Find out more information about travelling to the UK with PPT letters on Homes for Ukraine:
UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals - GOV.UK
Arriving in the UK - Homes for Ukraine
You can contact the UK Visas and Immigration free Ukraine helpline if you need help at +44 808 164 8810 and select option 1. If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, you can use +44 (0)175 390 7510.
Driving in the UK
If you have a Ukrainian driver’s license, you can drive in the UK if:
- You applied for entry clearance or permission to stay under the Homes for Ukraine or Ukrainian Family Scheme before 19 February 2024 at 3:00 pm
- You applied under the Ukraine Extension Scheme on or before 16 May 2024, provided they became residents in Great Britain on or after 3 March 2022
Eligible licence holders can drive motor bicycles, mopeds, and cars (category B) for up to 54 months after becoming residents. You can continue driving while waiting for your Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) application to be accepted. If the UPE application is rejected, refused, or withdrawn, you cannot drive.
For more information:Extension of Ukraine driving licence exchange: government response.
Ukrainian displaced persons travel scheme
The Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme offers free rail travel across all train operators in England, Scotland and Wales. When you arrive in the UK, you have 48 hours to get free tickets to travel to your destination. You will need to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket to use 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.
When you get the UK, you can get free bus travel from the company National Express. For 48 hours, you can take one of their buses from the place where you arrive in the UK. Their buses go to many places in the UK but not all, so please check their website before travelling. Find out more about the National Express free travel policy for Ukrainian arrivals.
Safety tips for families escaping conflict
The International Organisation for Migration has 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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