Guidance

Apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme

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, pleasecontact callUK theVisas 24/7and freeImmigration.

Telephone: helpline+ 080844 808 164 8810.8810 select option 1
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5.30pm
Calls are free of charge

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

YouIf canyou callneed theany freeassistance, 24/7contact helplineUK onVisas 0808and Immigration.

Telephone: + 44 808 164 8810 if youselect areoption in1
Monday theto UKFriday, for8am helpto with8pm
Saturday anyand questionsSunday, about9am theto scheme.5.30pm
Calls are free of charge

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Published 3 May 2022
Last updated 13 June 2022 + show all updates
  1. Updated opening hours for the contact centre.

  2. Added translation