UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals

If you’re Ukrainian and you have family in the UK

Ukraine Family Scheme

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK.

Read

If moreyou’re informationoutside aboutthe UK

Apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme.

If you’re in the UK

YouGuidance on how to apply from inside the UK will be available soon.

In the meantime you can call the free 24/7 helpline on +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 from within the UK) for help with any questions about the scheme.

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

If you’re Ukrainian and you don’t have family in the UK

Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine

The government has announced plans for a new sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to the UK. The scheme will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring those forced to flee Ukraine to the UK.

There will be no limit on this scheme and we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and have matched sponsors.

Those who come under this scheme will also be granted leave for an initial period of 12 months and able to work and access public services.

The government will work closely with international partners and neighbouring countries on the scheme to ensure that displaced Ukrainians are supported to apply.

We will also make sure that those who want to sponsor an individual or family can volunteer and be matched quickly with Ukrainians in need, working closely with the devolved administrations and local authorities across the country.

Further details on the scheme for people will be published soon, including information on how people and organisations in the UK can apply to be sponsors.

Other visas

You can make an application to visit, work, study or join family in the UK in the normal way. Check which visas are available.

Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Ukraine are currently closed. You can apply at a VAC in any country if you are able to travel safely.

VACs are currently operating throughout Europe including:

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

Before attending a VAC you must complete your online application form and have a GWF reference number.

Find a visa application centre.

If you need assistance, contact UKVI:

If you’re Ukrainian and are already in the UK

Ukrainians already in the UK with a visa will be able to extend their stay by extending their visa or switching to another immigration route, where eligible, even if their visa does not normally allow them to do so.

Check what you need to do.

If you need to travel to the UK urgently

If you need to travel to the UK urgently for compassionate reasons you should apply for a visa in the usual way at the nearest VAC if you can travel safely and include clear compelling or compassionate reasons for your visit in your application. You should also tell staff at the VAC about these reasons during your appointment.

You can upload supporting documents for your application online before attending your VAC appointment or you can have your documents uploaded at your appointment. There is a fee for uploading your documents at the VAC.

If you’re British and in Ukraine

There’s separate advice for British nationals in Ukraine. Check the latest Ukraine foreign travel advice.

If you need to get a British passport

There’s separate advice for British nationals in Ukraine who need a passport or emergency travel document.