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 eligible family in the UK, you can apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme visa for free.

If you do not have eligible 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 either get a visa or official letter of permission. You can 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

When you arrive in the UK, show your visa or your permission letter and passport to a Border Force officer.

If you’re bringing money or belongings

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
• 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

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 can get free train or bus travel in Northern Ireland within 7 days 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 need to get it within 10 days of arriving or by the expiry date on your visa, whichever is later.

A BRP is a card with your immigration status on it. You can use it to prove your right to study and 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.

Staying in the UK

If you got a permission letter to travel after you applied for your visa, it will say if you need to provide your biometric information once you’re in the UK.

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

Fill in the online form to start the process of providing your biometric 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 own, you can search on property listings websites or go to local lettings agents. Find out about 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.

You can show your employer the visa in your passport, if your passport has not expired, until you get your BRP.

If you do not have a passport and were given your visa on a form, you’ll need to get your BRP and use the online service.

Paying tax

If you’re employed, the tax you pay will usually be taken out of your salary automatically.

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

There are other reasons why you might need to send a tax return, such as if you have income from outside the UK. Check if you need to send a tax return.

If 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.