Visas and immigration for Ukrainian nationals in the UK
Information on Visas and immigration rules, including the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme, and applying for a family migration visa.
Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate 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 reside anywhere in the UK and since 19 February 2024 must be British or Irish citizens or have settled status in the UK.
From 31 January 2025, a parent or legal guardian who holds permission under any of the Ukraine Schemes is allowed to sponsor their child. Successful applications submitted after 19 February 2024 will be granted an 18-month visa with access to healthcare, benefits, employment support, education, and English language tuition. Applications submitted before 19 February 2024 continue to enjoy a 36-month visa in the UK.
The application is free of charge and can be completed by either the sponsor or the individual seeking sponsorship. Each person must submit a separate application form. Security checks will be conducted for both the Ukrainian applicants and the UK sponsors as part of the visa application process.
Since December 2023, applicants must book an appointment for their digital photograph and fingerprinting at a visa application centre (VAC) to complete their process.
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.
For more information:
Guidelines for Ukrainian Visa Holders Sponsoring Their Children
Holders of any Ukraine scheme visas (including those with Leave Outside the Rules) are eligible to sponsor their children to join them in the UK, provided all other requirements of the Homes for Ukraine scheme are met.
Children sponsored by their parents or legal guardians will receive permission to live in the UK for up to 18 months, in line with their parents’ or legal guardians’ permission. During this period, they will have access to education, healthcare, benefits, and employment. It is important to note that parents or legal guardians sponsoring their child will not qualify for thank-you payments from the Council.
Local authorities in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland should refer to their respective the Scottish and Welsh or Northern Ireland guidance pages for additional information.
For further details, see Children being sponsored by a parent or legal guardian: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
The parent or legal guardian should complete the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa application form on behalf of their child, naming themselves as ‘sponsor’.
Immigration Rules Appendix Ukraine Scheme
Find out more information about the scheme:
- 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)
If your application is successful, you’ll need to create an account to get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status) once you arrive to the UK. Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa.
You’ll be able to prove your immigration status and conditions to others, for example, employers and landlords, using the view and prove service.
Find out how to provide emotional and practical support when hosting a Ukrainian guest.
Ukraine Extension Scheme
The Ukraine Extension Scheme closed on 4 February 2025.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
Individuals living in the UK who have been granted visas under the Ukraine schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Visa Scheme, and Ukraine Extension Scheme), including those granted leave outside the rules in certain circumstances, can apply for an additional 18 months of permission to stay in the UK under this new scheme. This application is free, and eligible individuals can apply 28 days or less before their current visa expires. Applicants must be in the UK to apply and must not leave the UK while the application is being processed. Applications made outside of the UK will not be valid and may be rejected by the Home Office.
Children born in the UK to Ukraine visa holders
Ukrainian parents can apply for permission to stay for their children born in the UK after 18 March 2022 under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme.
Find out more about the UPE eligibility criteria and application process:
- Ukraine Permission Extension scheme guidance and how to apply
- Guidance on non-Ukrainian family members applying to Ukraine Permission Extension scheme here
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 the future.
Other visas you may apply for
You may be eligible to make an application under other immigration routes.
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.
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 reunited families, including Ukrainian family members arriving in Wales through the Ukraine Family Scheme. Please contact us via email FamilyReunionCymru@redcross.org.uk or phone 01633 720 00, option 3.
The project is supported by Welsh Government, and we are working closely with local authorities, statutory and voluntary services to provide holistic support for reunited families in Wales.
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