Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa
Guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme.
Overview
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family membersmembers, or extend their staystay, in the UK. Everyone must make a separate application, even children travelling with a family member.
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, pleasecontact callUK theVisas 24/7and freeImmigration.
Telephone: helpline+ +4444 808 164 8810 (0808– 164select 8810option if1
7 you’redays ina theweek, UK).24 hours a day
Calls are free of charge
If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, pleaseyou can use another number instead. You may have to pay – check with your phone provider if you’re not sure.
Telephone: +44 (0)175175 390 7510.7510 – select option 1
7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Eligibility
To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:
-
be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family
member;andmember -
be
UkrainianUkrainian, or theimmediatescheme;schemeandto join a UK-based immediate family member -
have been
residingliving in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022(including(eventhoseifwhoyou have now left Ukraine)
You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.
If you’re a Ukrainian national who had temporary permission to stay in the UK on or before 18 March 2022, you willcan be able to apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme insteadinstead. from 3 May 2022. Your partner and children can also apply if they’re already in the UK as your ‘dependants’.
dependants.
If you previously had permission to stay in the UK but it has expired since 1 January 2022, you’llyou’re also be eligible to apply.apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Your application will be subject to security checks.
UK-based family member
Your familyUK-based 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
-
someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
YouYour must provide evidence that your UK-based family member ismust be one of the following:
-
anyour immediate family member -
anyour extended family member -
antheimmediatespousefamilyormembercivil partner, unmarried partner, child, parent, or fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner ofanyour extended family member
You willshould be asked to provide a copy of an official document that confirms your relationshipfamily torelationships yourif UK-basedyou familyare member.able Forto - for example, a marriage or birth certificate if you have one.certificate.
PleaseYou note you can still apply if you are unable to provide thisthese document,documents. explainingYou should explain why you are unable to doprovide so.them when you apply - for example, if you had to leave all your documents behind when you left.
Immediate family members
An immediate family member is your or your UK-based family member’s:
-
spouse or civil partner
-
unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least
two2 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 UK-based family member’s:
-
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-in-law or sister-in-law
Immediate family member of an extended family member
An immediate family member of an extended family is the:
spouseorcivilpartnerofanextendedfamilymemberchildunder18ofanextendedfamilymemberparentofachildunder18whoisanextendedfamilymemberfiancé(e)orproposedcivilpartnerofanextendedfamilymember
If your UK-based family member is your (or an extended family member’s) spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partnerpartner, 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 thean 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 must be outside of the UK to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.
You can choose which schemeapplication you applymake for but please do not apply to both the Ukraine Family Scheme and thefor an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.
YouPermit mustas beit outsidemay ofcause thea UKdelay toin applygetting foryour an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.decision.
Regardless of whichwhat scheme you apply to,for to enter the UK, 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
You can stay in the UK for 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 from outside the UK
You must apply onlineto for the Ukraine Family Scheme online if you are outside the UK.
Prove your identity
If you inhave applyinga forvalid theUkrainian Ukraineinternational Familypassport
You Schemecan oruse the Ukraine‘UK SponsorshipImmigration: SchemeID (Homescheck’ forapp Ukraine),to weprove haveyour translatedidentity theif applicationyou screenshave toa valid Ukrainian andinternational Russian.
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If you docan’t notuse needthe toapp, attendyou andon’t appointmentneed atto attend a visa application centre (VAC) to give your biometric information.
Uploading yourInstead, documents
Youyou must uploadgive ayour copybiometric ofinformation thewithin photograph6 pagemonths of yourarriving validin orthe expired Ukrainian international passport.UK.
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You can upload yourthese documents using our commercial partner document upload app. This will be either TLS or VFS depending on which country you are applying in. You can download the app from the TLS or VFS website when you make your application.
If you need support to upload imagescopies of your documents, you can still book an appointment at a VAC.
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centre.
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underUkrainianthenationalUkraineidentityFamilycard - a
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mustcanapplystartonlinetheforapplicationthetoUkrainegiveFamilyyourSchemebiometricsifbyyoucompletingarethe onlineinform.You will then book and attend an appointment at UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
You’ll be able to pick up your biometric residence permit once this process is complete.
UKVCASUK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) service pointsYou will need to give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UKVCAS service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit.
Children under the age of 5 will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to attend the UKVCAS service point and have a digital photograph taken.
Some services at UKVCAS service points have a fee. You do not need to use these services, such as document scanning, to complete your
applicationandyoushouldnotpayfortheminadvance.application.If you
needwant to use of any of these services at a UKVCAS service point during your appointment, you will not need to pay a fee forthem.them and you should not pay for them in advance.HowApply
longfromitinsidetakesthe UKYou must apply online to the Ukraine Family Scheme if you are in the UK.
You will then book and attend an appointment at UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
After you apply
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.
UK Visas and ImmigrationContact
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Last updated
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You can now apply online and use the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app to prove your identity if you have a valid Ukrainian international passport.
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Added a link to the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme application screens translated into Russian and Ukrainian.
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Changed helpline opening hours.
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Ukrainian and Russian translations updated to include information about the Ukraine Extension Scheme (information published in English on 29 March).
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Added information about the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
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Added Ukrainian and Russian translations.
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Updated the 'Uploading your documents' section to clarify the information about the document upload app commercial partner. This will be either TLS or VFS depending on which country you are applying in.
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Updated guidance to reflect changes to the out of country application process from 15 March 2022.
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Updated information for people applying from inside the UK.
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Added information about changes to the application process from 15 March.
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Added alternative phone number for people who cannot use UK 0808 numbers.
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Updated guidance on extended family members.
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The temporary VAC in Lviv is no longer operating.
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First published.