Uk Visas Immigration
You must not travel to the UK before you have a visa or a letter from the Home Office giving you permission to enter.
If you have family in the UK
The Ukraine Family Scheme enables you to come to the UK or to stay longer if youre a family member of:
- a British citizen
- someone with permission to settle in the UK, for example they have indefinite leave to remain or EU settled or pre-settled status
- someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
It is free to apply.
Youll be able to live, work, study and claim benefits in the UK.
Read more information about the Ukraine Family Scheme.
If you do not have family in the UK
You can apply to come to the UK if you have a named sponsor or on any other existing visa youre eligible to apply for.
Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)
If you do not have family in the UK, you can apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
The scheme enables people and organisations in the UK (sponsors) to bring Ukrainians and their family members to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
If you have a sponsor you can:
- come to the UK for up to 3 years
- work in the UK
- access public services and claim benefits
Read more information about applying to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
Find out how people and organisations record their interest in becoming a sponsor.
Other visas you can apply for
You can make an application to visit, work, study or join family in the UK. ?Check which visas are available.
Youll need to complete your online application form. Youll get a GWF reference number. You can use this to book an appointment at a visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
Visa application centres in Ukraine are currently closed. You can apply at a visa application centre in any country if you are able to travel safely.
Visa application centres are currently operating throughout Europe including:
Find a visa application centre.
If youre already in the UK on a visa
If youre Ukrainian youll be able to stay longer. You can apply:
- to the Ukraine Extension Scheme
- to extend your current visa
- to switch to a different visa
Ukraine Extension Scheme
You can apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme if youre Ukrainian or you have a Ukrainian family member.
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
Read more information about applying to the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Extend your visa or switch to a different visa
If youre Ukrainian, you can also stay in the UK by extending your current visa or switching to another one if you meet the eligibility requirements. You can extend or switch even if your current visa does not usually let you do this.
If you have a Ukrainian family member, you can apply to extend your current visa or switch to another one if your visa allows that.
Check what Ukrainians in the UK on a visa can do.
If youre travelling with pets
Read guidance on bringing pets to the UK from Ukraine.
Contact UK Visas and Immigration
You can phone the free 24 hour helpline if you need help:
Ukraine helpline
Telephone: + 44 808 164 8810
Telephone: +44 (0)175 390 7510 (if you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers)
The helpline is open 7 days a week.
Christmas and New Year opening hours
| Date | Opening times |
|---|---|
| Saturday 24 December 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
| Sunday 25 December 2022 | Closed |
| Monday 26 December 2022 | Closed |
| Saturday 31 December 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
| Sunday 1 January 2023 | Closed |
| Monday 2 January 2023 | Closed |
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Last updated 15 December 2022 +show all updates
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Amended opening times over the holiday period.
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Added a concession to introduce a new eligibility period for the Ukraine Extension Scheme. Eligibility for the Ukraine Extension Scheme has now been extended to allow those who have and continue to arrive after 18 March 2022, until 16 May 2023, to apply.
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Russian and Ukrainian translations updated.
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Condensed information so its clearer and focused on visa support for Ukrainian nationals:- removed links to information thats included in the Ukraine foreign travel advice section- added links to indefinite leave to remain and EU settled or pre-settled status pages- clarified what you can do if you have a sponsor- added more information about visa application centres- clarified information about staying longer if youre already in the UK- removed chapter about travelling to the UK urgently as its no longer needed
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