Guidance: Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa (update)
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Guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled
persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the
Ukraine Family Scheme. Contents Overview Eligibility How long you
can stay Fees Apply from outside the UK Apply from inside the UK
From Tuesday 15 March, if you are outside the UK and hold a valid
Ukrainian international passport, you will no longer need to
provide your biometric...Request free
trial
Guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme. ContentsFrom Tuesday 15 March, if you are outside the UK and hold a valid Ukrainian international passport, you will no longer need to provide your biometric information from overseas to apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme. You will still need to complete an application online, but you will not need to attend an in-person appointment at a visa application centre. Before 15 March, you should apply to the scheme using the current process of submitting an application online and booking an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC). You must provide a valid email address when you submit your application as we will need to contact you with more guidance on the travel process. Overview The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. 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, please call the 24/7 free helpline +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK). If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510. Eligibility To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:
You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above. Your application will be subject to security checks. UK-based family member Your family member must be one of the following:
You must provide evidence that your UK-based family member is one of the following:
You will be asked to provide a copy of an official document that confirms your relationship to your UK-based family member. For example, a marriage or birth certificate if you have one. Please note you can still apply if you are unable to provide this document, explaining why you are unable to do so. Immediate family members An immediate family member is your:
Extended family members An extended family member is your:
Immediate family member of an extended family member An immediate family member of an extended family is the:
If your UK-based family member is your (or an extended family member’s) spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner the relationship must have started before 1 January 2022. Other family members will be considered where there are exceptional circumstances. If you have a family member from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland You might also be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit if you are the family member of someone who is living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme who is from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. You can choose which scheme you apply for but please do not apply to both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit. You must be outside of the UK to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit. Regardless of which scheme you apply to, if you’re eligible you’ll be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you’re in the UK. How long you can stay Your visa will last up to 3 years. Fees It is free to apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme. You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee for this scheme. Apply from outside the UK You must apply online for the Ukraine Family Scheme if you are outside the UK. You will then need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC). From 15 March, if you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport, you will still need to complete an application online, but you will not need to attend an in-person appointment at a visa application centre. If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. Visa application centres You will need to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a VAC as part of your application. Children under the age of 5 will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to attend the VAC and have a digital photograph taken. When you attend the VAC you will need to provide your passport which will be scanned. If you do not have a passport you can still apply but will need to explain why you are unable to provide it. From 15 March, you will only need to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a VAC if you are applying without a valid Ukrainian international passport. Visa application centre availability VACs in Ukraine are currently closed. You can apply at a VAC in any country if you are able to travel safely. There is a temporary VAC for people applying for the Ukraine Family Scheme in Rzeszow, Poland.You’ll need to complete your online application and book an appointment before attending the Rzeszow VAC - walk-in appointments are no longer accepted. VACs are currently operating throughout Europe including: How long it takes You will need to await a decision from UKVI on your application before travelling. We will prioritise your application and aim to make a decision as quickly as possible. You will be contacted when a decision has been made with more guidance on the travel process. Please do not attend the VAC to collect your decision until you have been contacted. Contact UKVI You can call the free 24/7 helpline on +44 808 164 8810 if you are outside the UK for help with any questions about the scheme. Apply from inside the UK You must apply online for the Ukraine Family Scheme if you are in the UK. You will then book and attend an appointment at UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. 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 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 of 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 will prioritise your application and aim to make a decision as quickly as possible. You will be contacted when a decision has been made. Contact UKVI You can call the free 24/7 helpline on 0808 164 8810 if you are in the UK for help with any questions about the scheme. |