Ukraine Schemes News
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme – 26 November 2024
On 26 November 2024, the government announced further details relating to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. The main highlights are:
- From 09:00 on 4 February 2025 the UPE will open for applications from Ukrainian citizens and their eligible family members living in the UK under existing Ukraine schemes.
- The route, which will remain fee free and Immigration Health Surcharge exempt, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to remain from the date of decision for qualifying applicants; a child may be granted less than 18 months permission if their period of permission is being aligned to that of their parent here on our existing schemes.
- The Ukraine Schemes (including the now closed Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme) are not a route to settlement.
- The application form will be online via the Gov UK website.
The full announcement and further information on the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (including eligibility, proof of identity etc.) can be found here.
Changes to ‘Thank You’ payments – 26 November 2024
‘Thank you’ payments will be extended for eligible hosts for the 18 months they are covered by the Visa issued under the UPE scheme. After a guest’s initial 18-month UPE period, thank you payments will discontinue.
From 1 April 2025, all ‘thank you’ payments will be paid at a flat rate of £350 per month with effect from 1 April 2025. This includes thank you payments to hosts where the guest remains in Homes for Ukraine sponsorship (in Year 2 and 3).
Permission to Travel changes – 19 November 2024
The Home Office have made changes to the Ukraine visa schemes Permission to Travel letters. From 00:01 GMT on 13 February 2025, individuals will no longer be able to travel to or enter the UK using an open-ended permission to travel (PTT) letter without accompanying permission to enter the UK. PTT letters will then cease to be valid for travel on airlines, trains or ferries, and individuals carrying them without permission will be refused entry at the UK border and may be returned to their place of departure. All applicants issued with a PTT letter who have not travelled to the UK have been notified of this change.
Further information can be found here.
