Ukraine Scheme

Ukraine Scheme was prompted by the war in Ukraine and now consists of two separate sub-schemes: the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme. Ukrainian nationals and their close family members who are not Ukrainian nationals may be able to apply.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances.  You may wish to speak to an immigration lawyer for an individual expert advice.

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme enables people and organisations in the UK (sponsors) to bring Ukrainians and their family members to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

If you have a sponsor you can:

  • come to the UK for up to 18 months

  • work in the UK

  • access public services and claim benefits

Proving your identity and providing your documents

You’ll need to book an appointment to have your photo and fingerprints taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.

Children under 5 will not have their fingerprints taken. They still need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to have their photo taken.

At your appointment, you’ll need to prove your identity with any identity documents you may have, such as:

  • a valid international passport

  • a recently expired international passport

  • a valid or recently expired Ukrainian national identity card

  • a combination of official documents which states your identity and nationality – for example, a photo driving licence and birth certificate

  • an emergency certificate issued by a Ukrainian authority since March 2022

If your appointment is at the visa application centre in Kyiv

If your application is successful, you’ll need to travel to the visa application centre in Warsaw with a valid international passport to collect your visa vignette.

If your appointment is at a different visa application centre

You’ll need to collect your visa vignette at the same visa application centre.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

On 16 May 2024 the Ukraine Extension Scheme closed to most new applications. Applications submitted after 23:59 on 16 May 2024 will not be considered.  

However, the scheme continues to remain open for children who are born in the UK.  

You can apply for your child to have permission under the Ukraine Extension Scheme if both of the following is true: 

  • you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (including the Ukraine Family Scheme) 

  • your child was born in the UK. 

This route does not require a UK-based sponsor.

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

On 18 February 2024, the government announced the intention to create a new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, which will open for applications from early 2025.

If you have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes, you may be able to apply for a further 18 months permission to stay in the UK under the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. You’ll be able to apply 3 months before your existing visa is due to expire.