Guidance

Ukrainian nationals in the UK: visa support

Ukrainians already in the UK with a visa may 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.

From:
UK Visas and Immigration and Home Office
Published
8 March 2022
Last updated
410 FebruaryDecember 20252024 — See all updates

Biometric residence permit

If you previously had been issued a Ukraine Scheme visa you may have been issued a biometric residence permit (BRP).

If you have a BRP, please keep hold of it as it will be requested as part of the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme application process.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

The schemeUkraine thenExtension Scheme closed tofor allmost new applications on 416 FebruaryMay 2025.2024.

The Ukraine Extension Scheme remained open after 16 May 2024 for children who are born in the UK to apply for permission to stay.

Other options are available below, depending on what kind of visa you have.

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

If you have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes, you may be able to apply for a further 18 months permission to stay in the UK under the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. The scheme openedwill open to applications on 4 February 2025.

Visitors

If you are a visitor

If you are in the UK on a visitor visa and cannot return to Ukraine you may be able to apply to switch to another visa. You will need to meet the requirements of that immigration route.

Skilled Workers

If you are here on a Skilled Worker visa

If you are on a Skilled Worker visa that is due to expire you can apply to extend your permission or apply for settlement if you meet the Immigration Rules.

Full details can be found in the Skilled Worker visa guidance.

Students

If you are here on a Student visa

If you are on a Student visa that is due to expire you can apply to extend your permission, switch to a Graduate visa, or switch to another type of visa if you meet the Immigration Rules.

Full details can be found in the Student visa guidance.

Seasonal Workers

If you are here on a Seasonal Worker visa

You must continue working in a job permitted by the Seasonal Worker route, with the same Scheme Operator (your sponsor).

You may be eligible to make an application under other immigration routes before your visa expires.

Check which visas you may be able to apply for.

If you need support

If you are in the UK and need assistance, contact UKVI:

Telephone: 0808 164 8810 – select option 2
Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:45pm
Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:30pm
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.

Updates to this page

Published 8 March 2022
Last updated 410 FebruaryDecember 2025 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated to reflect the opening of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme and the closing of the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

  2. Updated to let applicants know that the the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will open on 4 February 2025.

  3. Updated to tell Ukrainians with a biometric resident permit (BRP) to keep hold of the document, as it is needed to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

  4. Updated information on the Ukraine Extension Scheme. The scheme closed for most new applicants on 16 May 2024.

  5. Updated information on the Ukraine Extension Scheme closing on 16 May 2024 and the new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

  6. Clarified eligibility for the Ukraine Extension Scheme if you apply for your child born in the UK.

  7. Removal of redundant 'Stay up to date' call out.

  8. Added a concession to introduce a new eligibility period for the Ukraine Extension Scheme. Eligibility for the Ukraine Extension Scheme has now been extended to allow those who have and continue to arrive after 18 March 2022, until 16 May 2023, to apply.

  9. Added link to Ukraine Extension Scheme guidance.

  10. Added information about the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

  11. First published.

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