Ukrainian Schemes
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
On 26 November 2024, the government announced further details relating to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
From 09:00 GMT 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 new visa route will allow Ukrainians to continue their lives in the UK with the same entitlements to work, study and access to public funds as provided for under the 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.
Eligibility Requirements
An application for permission to stay under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme must meet all the following requirements:
- (a) it has not been made more than 28 days before expiry of the applicant’s current permission; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily established their identity and nationality and
- (d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
The application will be free to apply, and will be online via the Gov UK website. A decision will be made within 8 weeks of making the application; if your current permission expires before a decision is made on your UPE application you do not need to take any action, as your current permission will continue under section 3C leave.
If your application is successful, your eVisa (an online record of your immigration status) will be updated to show your new UPE permission.
‘Thank You’ payments to Sponsors
‘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.
This funding is designed to provide guests and their sponsors with time to plan to live independently, along with signposting hosts to the ‘rent a room’ scheme for those who wish to convert their lodging arrangements with their sponsors. Guests are eligible for Universal Credit for housing benefit up to the Local Housing Allowance rate to assist in these costs. All ‘thank you’ payments will be paid at a flat rate of £350 per month with effect from 1 April 2025.
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme allowed British nationals and people settled in the UK to bring a wider group of family members to the UK, extending eligibility to adult parents, grandparents, children over 18, siblings, and their immediate family members. Those on the Family Scheme were granted leave of three years, recipients of this visa have access to public funds and are able to live, work or study in the UK.
The Ukraine Family Scheme closed to new applications at 3pm on 19 February 2024. You can no longer apply under this scheme. Updated information on the Ukraine Family Scheme can be found below.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme enables individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation to Ukrainians and their immediate family members for a minimum for six months. This scheme grants leave for current HfU guests of up to three years, with access to public funds and services. However, any individuals submitting applications after 3pm on the 19th February will be granted 18 months leave to remain in the UK, instead of 36 months, with the option of extension within the new UPE.
UK residents taking part in this scheme will receive monthly payments of £350 per residential address for at least six months. FAQs can be found here for the scheme. For those with questions about the scheme please contact: homesforukraine@levellingup.gov.uk.
Both hosts and sponsored family will receive checks from the Home Office – as detailed in the guidance and local councils will be asked to undertake further checks of both the persons sponsoring and the accommodation made available; to check in on those families arriving and provide support as appropriate. Please note, as of 19 February 2024, all new Homes for Ukraine sponsors must now be a UK or Irish citizen or have settled status in the UK.
MHCLG has advised Leaders of Local Authorities they will receive funding of £10,500 per person in their LA area, with an additional top-up for child education, to enable them to provide wider support to families to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities and to provide the sponsor with the monthly £350 ‘thank you’ payment and undertake the necessary checks for the scheme mentioned in the ‘Guidance to local councils.’
If you are a new arrival, you will no longer be given a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP card) as the government are transitioning to eVisas. If you need a National Insurance (NI) number, you can get one via the Department of Work and Pensions, who will apply for you free of charge. For further information, contact your local JobCentrePlus.
Click the below button to access the official guidance.
Ukraine Extension Scheme
The Ukraine Extension Scheme allows some Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to stay in the UK. You can apply under the Ukraine Extension Scheme until it closes on 16 May 2024 if one of the following is true:
- you had permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023 – the permission does not need to cover the whole period; or
- you previously had permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022.
The Ukraine Extension Scheme will remain open after 16 May 2024 for children who are born in the UK. You can apply under the Ukraine Extension Scheme for your child born if they were in the UK after 18 March 2022 if one of the following is true:
- you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (including the Ukraine Family Scheme)
- you qualify under the Ukraine Extension Scheme
This route does not require a UK-based sponsor.
