Visas and immigration for Ukrainian nationals in the UK

Homes for Ukraine scheme 

The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members who were residents in Ukraine before 1 January 2022 to apply to come to the UK and stay with a UK-based sponsor.

Sponsors can live anywhere in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and must be British or Irish Citizens or be settled in the UK; (which means having the right to live in the UK permanently) on the date of the guest’s visa application if that application is submitted after 3pm on 19 February 2024.

People arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years or 18 months for applications submitted after 3pm on the 19 February 2024.

The application is free of charge and can be completed by the prospective sponsor or the person wishing to be sponsored. A separate application form must be completed for each person. Security checks for both Ukrainians and the UK sponsor will be undertaken as part of the visa application process.

You will need to book an appointment to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a visa application centre (VAC) as part of your application.

If you attended your biometrics appointment in Kyiv and your visa application is successful, you’ll need to travel to the VAC in Warsaw with a valid international passport to collect your visa vignette. If you had an appointment in another country, you’ll need to collect your visa vignette at the same VAC you submitted your biometrics.     

Children under the age of 5 will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to book and attend a VAC appointment and have a digital photograph taken. 

The scheme is also open to unaccompanied children under 18 - the sponsor must have parental consent and permission from the local council before applying for a visa. Sponsors can apply to provide a safe home for a Ukrainian child here.

You can contact UK Visas and Immigration free Ukraine helpline if you need help: +44 808 164 8810 - select option 1. If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use: +44 (0)175 390 7510.

Find out more information about the scheme: 

• Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Подання заяви на отримання візи за Українською спонсорською схемою («Дім для українців») - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Подача заявлений по Украинской спонсорской схеме («Дом для украинцев») - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Find out more information about the number of visas issued and arrivals under the UK Home for Ukraine scheme. 

Find out how to provide emotional and practical support when hosting a Ukrainian guest.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

The Ukraine Extension Scheme will close on 4 February 2025. Applications submitted after 9am on that date will not be considered. However, the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will open on 4 February 2025 to allow applicants to apply for permission to stay. Individuals who were granted visas under the Ukraine schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family visa scheme, and Ukraine Extension scheme) will be able to apply for a further 18 months of permission to stay in the UK under the new scheme. 

Until the 4 February 2025, you can apply for your child to have permission under the Ukraine Extension Scheme if both of the following is true.

• you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (including the Ukraine Family Scheme)
• your child was born in the UK

• Your child must be in the UK when the application is made.

This route does not require a UK-based sponsor and does not currently lead to settlement. This means that time spent in the UK with this visa may not support an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in future.

Find out more about the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

• Apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Подача заявлений на проживание в Великобритании по Схеме продления пребывания для украинцев - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Подання заяв за Схемою подовження перебування у Великій Британії для українців - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

Supporting non-British family members in Ukraine

Applying for a family migration visa

Family members of British nationals can apply for a family migration visa to come to the UK.

The Home Office has announced that some of the normal eligibility criteria has been removed for family members including language requirements and salary thresholds.

• View government guidance on supporting family members of British nationals.

Extend your permission to be in the UK

Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

This scheme will open on 4 February 2025. The new scheme will be free, and applicants can apply 28 days or less before the current visa expires.

Individuals who were granted visas under the Ukraine schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family visa scheme, and Ukraine Extension scheme) will be able to apply for a further 18 months of permission to stay in the UK under the new scheme.

• Find out more about the government's Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

Arriving under Ukraine Schemes on Permission to Travel Letter and Deadline For End of Use

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.

Find out more information about the Ukraine Scheme: process for in-country variation of entry clearance.

How to claim asylum in the UK as a Ukrainian 

Ukrainians refugees already in the UK may be able to claim asylum, it is important to seek immigration advice before making an asylum claim.  Find out more about the asylum process.

The British Red Cross can provide support to refugees and asylum seekers. Find out more on Get help as a refugee or asylum seeker.

Legal advice

People are strongly recommended to seek legal advice before applying for visas or seeking asylum. 

• Settled is a charity that provides immigration advice to Ukrainians who want to travel to UK, and also Ukrainians who are already in the UK and need support. You can contact them via email ukraineadvice@settled.org.uk 
• Ukraine Advice Project UK is an initiative by qualified lawyers, led by law firm DLA Piper who are providing free legal information on UK visas and refugee rules. You can find out more about the initiative on the Ukraine Advice Project UK website.
• You can find a solicitor in the UK on the Law Society website. Search “Legal Issue & Changing Countries”, and enter your postcode, town or city.

Support for Ukrainian family members arriving in Wales

The British Red Cross offers specialist post-arrival integration support to Ukrainian family members arriving in Wales through the Ukraine Family Scheme. Please contact us via email: RSWalesUkraine@redcross.org.uk or phone 01633 720 00, option 3. 

The project is supported by the Welsh government, and we are working closely with local authorities, statutory and voluntary services to provide holistic support for Ukrainian families in Wales.