The UK government endeavours to ensure Ukrainians fleeing their home country are able to find safety in the UK. To this end, the UK has introduced a number of different schemes specifically for Ukrainians and simplified the application process for this group.
For example, applicants holding a valid passport and applying from outside the UK do not have to attend in-person appointment before arriving in the UK.
There are currently three relevant schemes:
- Ukraine Family Scheme
- Homes for Ukraine
- Ukraine Extension Scheme
Ukraine Family Scheme
The scheme was launched on 4 March 2022. It allows family members of British nationals, people settled in the UK, and certain other residents, to come to the UK. There is no application fee.
To apply to this scheme, you must:
- be applying to join or accompany a UK-based family member.
A UK based family member must be a British national, someone settled in the UK, someone from EU who has pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021 or someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. They must be your immediate family member, extended family member, the spouse/civil partner, unmarried partner, child, parent, fiance or proposed civil partner of your extended family member.
- be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme
- have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)
You can also apply if you are already in the UK and meet the above requirements.
If successful, the applicant will be granted visa for three years with a right to work, study and access public funds in the UK.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The scheme was launched on 18 March 2022 to allow people seeking sanctuary with no family ties to the UK (though there is no prohibition on family members acting as sponsors). There is no application fee.
To apply you must be Ukrainian, or their immediate family member, and:
- 18 or older on the date of application, or
- under 18 years old ana applying with your parents or legal guardian, or to join them in the UK
- must have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine), and
- be outside the UK, and
- have an eligible UK based sponsor.
Sponsors can be of any nationality, with any immigration status, provided they have at least six month’s leave to remain within the UK. Sponsors will be asked to provide accommodation for a minimum of six months and will be given a payment of £350 per month to those can accommodate one or more household for up to 12 months.
If successful, the applicant will be granted leave to remain up to three years with a right to work, study and access public funds in the UK.
Ukraine Extension Scheme
The scheme was launched on 3 May 2022. There is no application or immigration health surcharge fee. To apply, you must:
- be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme, and
- have had permission to be in the UK (for example a visa) on 18 March 2022, or
- have had permission to be in the UK but the visa expired on or after 1 January 2022
If successful, the applicant will be granted three years leave to remain with a right to work, study and access public funds in the UK.
Individuals who are already on a route to settlement must carefully consider if they should apply to this scheme, as the scheme does not currently lead to settlement.
If you are a Ukrainian national and hold a valid passport
Ukrainian nationals holding a valid passport can make an application without enrolling their biometrics. Instead of a visa, they will be given a permission letter from the Home Office. The Border Force will then endorse the individual’s passport with a code 1A or Amended Code 1 stamp, valid for six months.
Individual will have a time-limited right to work and rent, i.e. six months. Within the validity of the six months, they must apply to one of the schemes mentioned above and obtain a biometric residence permit (BRP).
If you are a Ukrainian national and do not hold a valid passport
Applicants must obtain a valid visa before entering the UK. They must attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) outside the UK to provide their biometrics as part of the visa process.
UKVI is continuing to prioritise applications under the scheme and the applications are being fast tracked across VAC in Europe.
If you would like to discuss your options, please get in touch with our friendly immigration team today.