GovWire

Overview

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members, or extend their stay, 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 help, contact UK Visas and Immigration.

If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, you can use this number: +44 (0)175 390 7510 You may have to pay check with your phone provider if youre not sure.

Eligibility

To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:

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

• be Ukrainian, or the family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme to join a UK-based immediate family member

• have been living in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (even if you have now left Ukraine)

You can apply if youve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.

To apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme you must be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme.

You can apply for this scheme if one of the following is true:

• you held permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023 the permission does not need to cover the whole period

• you previously held permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022

You can apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme for your child born in the UK if one of the following is true:

• you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine schemes
• you are applying to the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Extension Scheme

Your application will be subject to security checks.

UK-based family member

Your UK-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 who has pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

• someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

Your UK-based family member must be one of the following:

• your immediate family member

• your extended family member

• the spouse or civil partner, unmarried partner, child, parent, or fianc(e) or proposed civil partner of your extended family member

You should provide a copy of an official document that confirms your family relationships if you are able to. For example, a marriage or birth certificate.

You can still apply if you are unable to provide these documents. You should explain why you are unable to provide 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 members:

• spouse or civil partner

• unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)

• child who is under 18

• parent (if you are under 18)

• fianc(e) or proposed civil partner

Extended family members

An extended family member is your UK-based family members:

• parent (if you are over 18)

• child who is over 18

• grandparent

• grandchild or your partners 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

If your UK-based family member is your (or an extended family members) spouse, civil partner, fianc(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 an 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 application you make but please do not apply to both the Ukraine Family Scheme and for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit as it may cause a delay in getting your decision.

Regardless of what you apply for to enter the UK, if youre eligible youll be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once youre 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 to the Ukraine Family Scheme online if you are outside the UK.

Family members can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependants if theyre eligible. Theyll need to complete separate applications.

Start now

Proving your identity and providing your documents

Youll need to book an appointment to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a visa application centre (

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