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
Applicants outside the UK who made their application to the Homes for Ukraine before to 7 December 2023, and did not attend a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ application, may be issued a “Permission To Travel” (PTT) letter confirming they can travel to the UK until 12:01am UK time on 13 February 2025.
Upon arrival, if border checks are approved, the applicant will receive a stamp allowing them to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. Before this period ends, applicants will need to complete an in-country application for permission to remain, and arrange an appointment to provide their biometrics to access the rest of their 36 months permission to remain in the UK.
- From 12:01 am UK time on 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.
- Applicants must confirm accommodation in the UK by contacting their 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
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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
The UK government is introducing legislation to allow Ukrainian driving licence holders to continue using their licences under certain conditions:
- Holders who applied for entry clearance or permission to stay under the Homes for Ukraine (HFU) or Ukrainian Family Scheme (UFS) before 19 February 2024 at 3:00 pm
- Holders who applied under the Ukraine Extension Scheme (UES) 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. They can continue driving while their Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) application is pending. If the UPE application is rejected, refused, or withdrawn, the eligibility to drive will cease immediately.
For more information: Extension of Ukraine driving licence exchange: government response.
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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