Guidance for Ukrainian nationals and their family members to
apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Overview
A Ukraine Extension Scheme visa allows you live, work and study
in the UK if you’re Ukrainian, or the family member of someone
who is Ukrainian. You can apply to this scheme if you hold any
valid UK visa, or held one that expired on or after 1 January
2022.
You should consider whether you want to keep your current visa or
switch to the Ukraine Extension Scheme. This route does not
currently lead to settlement – this means that you may not be
able to count any time you spend in the UK with this visa as part
of an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in
future.
Example cases
If you are in the UK on a Seasonal Worker visa you cannot usually
switch to another visa. You may wish to switch to the Ukraine
Extension Scheme visa if you are eligible.
If you are in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa you may wish to
keep your current visa. You can apply to settle permanently in
the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve
lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility
requirements for settlement on the Skilled Worker immigration
route.
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
0808 164 8810.
Eligibility
To apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme you must:
- be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian
national who is applying to the scheme
- have had permission to be in the UK (for example a visa) on
18 March 2022
If you previously had permission to stay in the UK but it expired
on or after 1 January 2022 you’re also eligible to apply.
Your application will be subject to security checks.
Immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals
If you’re not Ukrainian but your family member is, you can apply
if your family member is your:
- spouse or civil partner
- unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a
relationship for at least 2 years)
- child aged under 18
- parent (if you are under 18)
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
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.
Start now
You will then book and attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship
Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
Uploading your documents
When you apply you’ll need to provide a valid passport or other
travel document that shows your identity.
You also need to show that you have (or had) permission to be in
the UK. For example:
- a biometric residence permit
- a visa or vignette in your passport
- a Home Office document showing your permission to enter or
remain in the UK
If you’re the non-Ukrainian family member of a Ukrainian
national, you’ll also need to provide evidence of your
relationship to them. You can show your biometric residence
permit or visa in your passport if you are in the UK as their
dependant.
If you do not have one of these documents, you can provide:
- a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate if
your family member is your spouse or civil partner
- evidence that you’ve been living together in a relationship
for at least 2 years if you family member is your unmarried
partner
- a birth certificate if your family member is your child or
parent
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 service point 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 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 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.
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