GovWire

Overview

Under the Ukraine Extension Scheme you will be able to live, work and study in the UK if youre Ukrainian or the close family member of a Ukrainian. You can apply for this scheme if one of the following is true:

• you held permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2023 the permission does not need to cover the whole period
• you previously held permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022

Subject to the Parliamentary process, the Immigration Rules are expected to change in July 2023 to extend the eligibility for the Ukraine Extension Scheme to include those who were granted permission after 16 May up to 16 November 2023, with all applications to be made before 16 May 2024.

If you were granted permission after 16 May 2023, you will be able to apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme once the new rules are in force in August. You should wait until more information is available then to submit your application.

You should consider whether you want to keep your current visa or switch to the Ukraine Extension Scheme. This route does not currently lead to settlement this means that you may not be able to count any time you spend in the UK with this visa as part of an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in future.

It is free to apply.

You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.

If you need any assistance, contact UK Visas and Immigration.

Eligibility

To apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme you must be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme.

You can apply for this scheme if one of the following is true:

• you held permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2023 the permission does not need to cover the whole period
• you previously held permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022

Subject to the Parliamentary process, the Immigration Rules are expected to change in July 2023 to extend the eligibility for the Ukraine Extension Scheme to include those who were granted permission after 16 May up to 16 November 2023, with all applications to be made before 16 May 2024.

If you were granted permission after 16 May 2023, you will be able to apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme once the new rules are in force in August. You should wait until more information is available then to submit your application.

Your application will be subject to security checks.

Immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals

If youre not Ukrainian but your family member is, you can apply if your family member is your:

• spouse or civil partner
• unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
• child aged under 18
• parent (if you are under 18)

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.

Fees

It is free to apply.

You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee.

Apply

You must apply online.

Start now

You will then book and attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

Uploading your documents

When you apply youll need to provide a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity.

You also need to show that you have (or had) permission to be in the UK. For example:

• a biometric residence permit
• a visa or vignette in your passport
• a Home Office document showing your permission to enter or remain in the UK

If youre the non-Ukrainian family member of a Ukrainian national, youll also need to provide evidence of your relationship to them. You can show your biometric residence permit or visa in your passport if you are in the UK as their dependant.

If you do not have one of these documents, you can provide:

• a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate if your family member is your spouse or civil partner
• evidence that youve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years if you family member is your unmarried partner
• a birth certificate if your family member is your child or parent

UKVCAS service points

You will need to give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UKVCAS service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit.

Children under the age of 5 will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to attend the UKVCAS service point and have a digital photograph taken.

Some services at UKVCAS service points have a fee. You do not need to use these services, such as document scanning, to complete your application and you should not pay for them in advance.

If you need to use any of these services at a UKVCAS service point during your appointment, you will not need to pay a fee for them.

How long it takes

We aim to make a decision as quickly as possible.

You will be contacted when a decision has been made.

Contact UKVI

If you need any assistance, contact UK Visas and Immigration.