Move to the UK if you’re coming from Ukraine

Before you travel to the UK

You need permission to enter the UK.

If you have settledeligible family in the UK, you can apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme visa for free.

If you do not have settledeligible family in the UK, apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (also known as ‘Homes for Ukraine’) for free.

Once your application has been processed, you’ll beeither givenget either:

• an official letter of permission (if you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport)
• a visa (ifor youofficial attendedletter aof visapermission. applicationYou centrecan touse give your biometrics)

Use this to board a plane or other form of transport to the UK.

If you’re not eligible for one of these schemes, you may be able to apply for other visas.

What happens at the UK border

If you have a permission letter

When you arrive in the UK, show your permissionvisa letteror to the Border Force officer.

The Border Force officer will put a 6-month entry stamp in your passport.permission Thisletter stampand provespassport your right to work, study and claim benefits in the UK.

If you have a visa

When you arrive in the UK, show your visa to the Border Force officer.

You’ll then be able to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

If you’re bringing belongings, money or petsbelongings

You can bring most personal belongings into the UK without having to speak with a customs officer. Use the green channel marked ‘nothing to declare’.

You must speak with a customs officer if you’re bringing:

• a personal vehicle
• a pet
• prohibited or restricted goods, for example controlled drugs or weapons
• £10,000 or more in cash (or €10,000 or more if you’re coming to Northern Ireland), or the equivalent in another currency)currency

Check how to bring your own vehicle to the UK and what to speak with a customs officer about.

If you’re bringing a pet

If you want to bring your pet with you, it might need to go into quarantine when you arrive. Find out what you need to do if you bring a pet.

When you first arrive in the UK

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can get free onward travel by train, bus, coach or light rail from the major airport or port you arrive at. To be eligible, you must travel within 48 hours of arriving in the UK.

You maycan beget ablefree totrain claimor certainbus benefitstravel in Northern Ireland immediately,within including7 Universaldays Credit.of arriving.

Getting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Your permission letter will tell you if you need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), and where to get it, when you arrive in the UK.

You canneed doto thisget usingit within 10 days of arriving or by the stampexpiry indate on your passport.visa, Ifwhichever youis dolater.

A notBRP haveis a passport,card youwith your immigration status on it. You can use it to prove your BRPright orto Homestudy Officeand document.claim any benefits you’re eligible for.

Getting financial support

You may be able to claim certain benefits immediately, including Universal Credit.

If you’re applying for Universal Credit you’ll get a National Insurance number if your claim is successful.

If you plan to work or claim other benefits, you can apply for a National Insurance number yourself.

LivingStaying in the UK

If you didgot not attend a visapermission applicationletter centreto whentravel after you applied tofor theyour Ukrainevisa, Familyit Schemewill orsay Ukraineif Sponsorship Scheme, you need to provide your biometric information (fingerprintsonce andyou’re ain photo)the UK.

If you do, you’ll need to do this within 6 months of arriving in the UK.UK to get your BRP. This will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 3 years.

You’llFill getin athe BRPonline thatform showsto start the process of providing your immigrationbiometric status.information.

Where you can live

You can live with family members, sponsors or in a property of your own.

If you want to live in a property of your ownown, you can search on property listings websites or rent,go youto mustlocal registerlettings toagents. payFind Councilout Taxabout your rights and responsibilities if you rent a property.

Working in the UK

When you find a job with a UK employer you’ll need to prove your right to work. To use the online service you’ll need to have a BRP or a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

IfYou you cannot use the online service, you can show your employer:

• aemployer the visa
• a stamp in your passportpassport, (ifif you’veyour passport has not yetexpired, applieduntil foryou get your BRP)

.

YouIf you do not have a passport and were given your visa on a form, you’ll need to payget Incomeyour TaxBRP and Nationaluse Insurancethe contributionsonline toservice.

Paying tax

If you’re employed, the government.tax Thisyou moneypay will usually comesbe straighttaken out of your salary if you’re paid by an employer.automatically.

If you’re self-employed,self-employed you may need to doregister afor Self Assessment and send a tax return each year.

IfThere you’reare notother working,reasons why you canmight claimneed benefits.to There’ssend supporta totax helpreturn, such as if you movehave income from benefitsoutside intothe workUK. Check if you need to send a tax return.

YouIf you work in the UK, you may need to set up a UK bank account. Read more about bank accounts on the Citizens Advice website.

Help finding work

You can use the ‘Find a job’ service to search and apply for jobs.

If you claim benefits, there’s support to help you find work, such as training schemes and work experience.

If you have children

If you have children aged 4 to 16, you can apply for a school place. Contact the council where you live to find out which schools still have places and how to apply for an ‘in-year admission’.

You can get help paying for childcare, for example nursery or childminder fees.

You can also claim Child Benefit. You get £21.80 a week for your eldest or only child and £14.45 for each additional child.

Getting healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS)

You should register with an NHS doctor (known as a GP) for everyday health issues.

You can use the NHS for free, including NHS hospitals. You may be asked to show the stamp in your passport or BRP. You do not have to pay the immigration health surcharge.

Find out how to:

• register with a GP in England
• register with a GP in Scotland
• register with a GP in Northern Ireland

In Wales, find a GP surgery near you and ask them how to register.

Driving in the UK

You can use your Ukrainian driving licence for the first 12 months after you arrive. You’ll then need to exchange it for a British licence.

Check what requirements your vehicle needs to meet in the UK.

Find out more about living in the UK

If you want to find out more about life in the UK once you’ve arrived, there’s more detail in the welcome guide for people arriving from Ukraine.