Ukraine visa schemes

On the 24th of February 2022, Russian military forces launched a devastating attack on Ukraine, a European democracy of 44 million people. We stand with all those affected by the war, in the region and here in the UK. If you want to help, or know someone who needs help, this guide provides some resources.

Updated 05 February 2025

Ukrainians need to have a visa to travel to and enter the UK. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK government introduced three bespoke visa schemes for Ukrainians and their family members. 

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme

The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme was established to enable people in the UK to sponsor a Ukrainian person to come to the UK. This is the only scheme currently accepting applications from Ukrainians inside and outside of the UK.

Only people with permanent residency (British or Irish citizenship or Settled status) can sponsor Ukrainians, however the government has made an exception for Ukrainian parents and legal guardians who can be sponsors for their minor children

The Ukraine Family Scheme

This was established to enable Ukrainian nationals and their family members to apply to join relatives in the UK. This scheme closed to new applications at 3pm on 19 February 2024.

If you submitted an online application under the Ukraine Family Scheme before this time, your application should continue to be processed as before. People who were granted status under the Ukraine Family Scheme have the right to live, work, and claim benefits in the UK for up to three years.

The Ukraine Extension Scheme

This scheme was opened in May 2022 for Ukrainians who already had permission to stay in the UK (such as on a seasonal worker visa) when the full-scale invasion happened. It granted permission to stay in the UK for up to 3 years. This scheme closed on 16 May 2024 for most new applications, with the exception of UK-born children of Ukraine Scheme visa holders. The Ukraine Extension Scheme will fully close on 04 February 2025.

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme - from 2025

If you obtained status under one of the Ukraine Schemes and wish to remain in the UK after it expires, the government announced a new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. Applications are set to open on 04 February 2025, and could extend your permission to remain in the UK by 18 months.