Building on immediate support provided in recent weeks to assist
British Nationals to leave Ukraine, the Home Secretary has today
confirmed that Ukrainians who are on work, study or visit visas
in the UK will have their visas temporarily extended or be able
to switch onto different visa routes.
Changes announced for Ukrainian nationals in the UK include:
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing points-based system route
can extend their leave in the UK
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing visitor visa can
exceptionally switch into a points-based system immigration route
without having to leave the UK
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing visitor visa can apply
under the family route for further leave without meeting the
immigration status requirement, provided they meet the
requirements for leave based on exceptional circumstances
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing seasonal worker visa will
have their leave in the UK extended to 31 December 2022
- Ukrainian nationals in temporary HGV/pork butcher jobs will
have their leave in the UK extended to 31 December 2022 and will
also be allowed to apply to the skilled worker route
These concessions are available for people with valid visas in
the UK.
All visa routes remain under constant review and any changes to
the visa policy will not compromise border security.
Home Secretary said:
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine amid this
unprovoked and antidemocratic act of Russian aggression.
“I have immediately ordered changes to our visa policy to
provide certainty to our Ukrainian friends and colleagues living,
working and studying in the UK.”
Two weeks ago, the Home Secretary ordered a package of measures
to support British Nationals and their families in Ukraine. This
included temporarily waiving application fees for those eligible
under the Family Migration route, allowing entry for 12 months
for others who did not meet the requirements and fast-tracking
visas through a 24/7 helpline.
The Home Office priority remains supporting British Nationals and
their families who want to leave Ukraine and UKVI are working
around the clock to process visa applications.
We have surged staff to visa application centres. Dependants of
British Nationals resident in Ukraine who need a UK visa can
apply through the new, temporary location in Lviv or through a
Visa Application Centre in nearby countries, including Poland,
Moldova, Romania and Hungary.
However, all other visa services in Ukraine have been suspended.
The UK’s flexible and agile visa system allows these proportional
changes to be implemented quickly while ensuring appropriate
security checks remain in place.
Her Majesty’s Passport Service is prioritising British Nationals
in Ukraine who need a passport and working with the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure those who need
emergency travel documents receive them quickly.
Last week, the Home Secretary ordered the closure of the Tier 1
Investor Visa amid security concerns that it was being used by
people acquiring their wealth illegitimately and being associated
with wider corruption.
Notes to editors
- For further information contact the Home Office Press Office
on 0300 123 3535 or 07623 514 628 out of hours.
- For anyone in need of assistance to leave Ukraine, check the
latest information for British Nationals still in Ukraine
at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine
- Immediate family members of British Nationals normally living
in Ukraine with their British National family member should call
the dedicated Home Office line 0300 3032785 (select option 1) for
assistance – This option is now available 24 hours a day 7 days a
week
- If you are a Ukrainian national in the UK and need
assistance, please contact UKVI: Telephone: 0300 3032785 – select
option 2. Lines are open Monday to Thursday (excluding bank
holidays), 9am to 4:45pm and Friday (excluding bank holidays),
9am to 4:30pm.
- This is a free phone number, but network charges may still
apply.
- For those switching or moving onto different visa or
immigration routes, the Immigration Rules will need to be met and
fees paid.
- These concessions are on top of actions already taken to
support British Nationals and their families in Ukraine prior to
the incursion. This includes:
-
- Temporarily waiving the application fee for immediate
family members of British nationals living in Ukraine with
their British national family member who apply under the
Family Migration route.
- Where family members of British nationals do not meet the
usual eligibility criteria (but pass security checks), we
will give them permission to enter the UK for 12 months.
