Uk Visas Immigration
The UK has put 2 different schemes in place to support those Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who wish to either come to or remain in the UK.
Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
If you want to be sponsored by a UK household for 6 months, you may be able to apply under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme.
Ukraine Extension Scheme
You can apply under the Ukraine Extension Scheme until it closes on 16 May 2024 if one of the following is true:
- you had permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023 the permission does not need to cover the whole period; or
- you previously had permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022
You can apply under the Ukraine Extension Scheme for your child born in the UK after 18 March 2022 if one of the following is true:
- you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (including the Ukraine Family Scheme)
- you qualify under the Ukraine Extension Scheme
This route does not require a UK-based sponsor.
The Ukrainian Extension Scheme will remain open after 16 May 2024 for children who are born in the UK.
Read more information about applying to the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
If you have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes, you may be able to apply for a further 18 months permission to stay in the UK under the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. Youll be able to apply 3 months before your existing visa is due to expire. We will provide further information about the new scheme shortly.
Other visas you may apply for
You may be eligible to make an application under other immigration routes.
Check which visas you may be able to apply for.
Overview
The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to come to the UK. Everyone must make a separate application, even children travelling with a family member.
Your sponsor must be either:
- a British or Irish citizen, or be settled in the UK (which means having the right to live in the UK permanently)
- able to provide accommodation for a minimum of 6 months
Applicants to Scotland and Wales may previously have been considered under the super sponsor schemes, in which the governments of these nations act directly as sponsors. However, these super sponsor schemes are currently paused, so applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authorities.
It is free to apply.
If your application is successful, you will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
Eligibility
To apply to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who has been granted permission under, or is applying and qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
You must also:
- have been living in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)
- be outside of the UK
- have an eligible UK-based sponsor
Your UK-based sponsor does not need to register with the Homes for Ukraine Scheme if youre already in contact with them.
Applicants aged under 18
Children under 18 years old must either:
- apply at the same time as their parent or legal guardian
- apply to join their parent or legal guardian if theyre already in the UK
- apply with the consent of their parent or legal guardian to travel to the UK as an eligible minor to join an approved sponsor
Children applying at the same time as their parent or legal guardian
If the child is applying with their parent or legal guardian, they should travel together.
Children applying to join their parent or legal guardian
If the child is applying to join their parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian should either:
- travel to meet the child before they depart, and then travel together to the UK
- collect the child from the airport, port, train station or other point of entry into the UK
Children who are not applying to travel with or join their parent or legal guardian
To be eligible, the child must have:
-
proof of consent by their parent or legal guardian notarised or certified by the Guardianship Service of the city or regional council in Ukraine; or, where the child is in another country, notary authorities in that country or by the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate.
-
proof of consent from their parent or legal guardian to the sponsorship arrangement
-
a commitment to sponsorship for 18 months or until the child turns 18, whichever is sooner (so long as the sponsorship lasts at least 6 months)
-
approval of the sponsorship arrangement by the local council where the child will live.
If the child applied before 10 August 2022, they will have received a letter with instructions on what to do next.
You can also read detailed information on GOV.UK if you are a:
If youre applying as the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national
An immediate family member is your:
- spouse or civil partner
- unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- fianc(e) or proposed civil partner
- child who is under 18
- parent (if you are under 18)
How long you can stay
If your application is successful, you can stay in the UK for up to 18 months.
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.
Family members can also apply to join you or stay in the UK if they meet the eligibility requirements above. Theyll need to complete separate applications.
If you have a named sponsor, you or your sponsor can fill in the form, or you can fill it in together.
The form is aimed at the person applying to the scheme.
This application is also an application for a biometric immigration document.
By completing this application, you confirm that both the applicant and the sponsor (if you have a named sponsor) have given permission for their data to be shared and contact details used for the purpose of checks and supporting the sponsor arrangement.
If you are a sponsor applying on behalf of the applicant
Youll need to fill in the form online as if youre the applicant coming from Ukraine.
Add the applicants contact details so that they have access the application form and all the decision letters.
If the applicant has a valid Ukrainian international passport they can upload a copy of the photograph page of their passport during the application. They will need to complete this part of the application themselves.
Read the whole guide to make sure you have everything prepared that you need before you apply.
Prove your identity and providing your documents
Youll need to book an appointment to have your photograph and fingerprints (biometric informatio