Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa

Overview

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK.

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, please call the 24/7 free helpline +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK).

If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.

Eligibility

To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:

• be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family member; and

• be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme; and

• have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)

You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.

Your application will be subject to security checks.

UK-based family member

Your family member must be one of the following:

• a British national

• someone settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

• someone from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland who has pre-settled status and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

• someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You must provide evidence that your UK-based family member is one of the following:

• an immediate family member

• an extended family member

• an immediate family member of an extended family member

You will be asked to provide a copy of an official document that confirms your relationship to your UK-based family member. For example, a marriage or birth certificate if you have one.

Please note you can still apply if you are unable to provide this document, explaining why you are unable to do so.

Immediate family members

An immediate family member is your:

• spouse or civil partner

• unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least two years)

• child who is under 18

• parent (if you are under 18)

• fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner

Extended family members

An extended family member is your:

• parent (if you are over 18)

• child who is over 18

• grandparent

• grandchild or your partner’s grandchild

• brother or sister

• aunt or uncle

• niece or nephew

• cousin

• mother-in-law or father-in-law

• grandparent-in-law

• brother or sister-in-law

Immediate family member of an extended family member

An immediate family member of an extended family is the:

• spouse or civil partner of an extended family member

• child under 18 of an extended family member

• parent of a child under 18 who is an extended family member

• fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of an extended family member

If your UK-based family member is your (or an extended family member’s) spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner the relationship must have started before 1 January 2022.

Other family members will be considered where there are exceptional circumstances.

If you have a family member from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

You might also be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit if you are the family member of someone who is living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme who is from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

You can choose which scheme you apply for but please do not apply to both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.

You must be outside of the UK to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.

Regardless of which scheme you apply to, if you’re eligible you’ll be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you’re in the UK.

How long you can stay

Your visa will last up to 3 years.

Fees

It is free to apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme.

You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee for this scheme.

Apply

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for the Ukraine Family Scheme.Scheme if you are outside the UK.

You will then need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC).

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If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport you will need to book and attend an appointment at a VACvisa application centre.

Visa application centres

You will need to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a VAC as part of your application. Children under the age of 5 will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to attend the VAC and have a digital photograph taken.

When you attend the VAC you will need to provide your passport which will be scanned. If you do not have a passport you can still apply but will need to explain why you are unable to provide it.

From 15 March, you will only need to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a VAC if you are applying without a valid Ukrainian international passport.

Visa application centre availability

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VACs are currently operating throughout Europe including:

• Budapest, Hungary
• Chisinau, Moldova
• Warsaw, Poland
• Bucharest, Romania
• Paris, France

How long it takes

You will need to await a decision from UKVI on your application before travelling.

We will prioritise your application and aim to make a decision as quickly as possible.

You will be contacted when a decision has been made with more guidance on the travel process.

Please do not attend the VAC to collect your decision until you have been contacted.

Contact UKVI

You can call the free 24/7 helpline on +44 808 164 8810 if you are outside the UK for help with any questions about the scheme.

Apply from inside the UK

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You will then book and attend an appointment at UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

UKVCAS service points

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If you need to use of any questionsof aboutthese services at a UKVCAS service point during your appointment, you will not need to pay a fee for them.

How long it takes

We will prioritise your application and aim to make a decision as quickly as possible.

You will be contacted when a decision has been made.

Contact UKVI

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