UK visa concessions for Ukrainian nationals
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Home Office announced yesterday (1 March 2022) that a number of changes are being introduced to the immigration system to support British nationals and their families in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in the UK.
The announcement is the latest in a series of measures already introduced last week, including extending immigration permissions for Ukrainians already in the UK, temporarily waiving application fees and fast-tracking visas thought a dedicated 24/7 helpline.
The new immigration changes being introduced will now allow British nationals and people settled in the UK to bring extended family members to the UK and a sponsored humanitarian visa route will be established. This forms part of the government’s wider package of humanitarian support to help Ukrainian people, and will make thousands more Ukrainians eligible to come to the UK.
Announcing the concessions, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Putin’s war on Ukraine is monstrous and unjustified and the Government will stand with the people of Ukraine, both at home and abroad. I have been talking to our friends in Ukraine and in the region to ensure the humanitarian support we offer is in the best interests of Ukrainian people.
Our Ukrainian Humanitarian Route will allow families to be reunited in the UK and our bespoke sponsor route will give safety to Ukrainians who have sadly been forced to flee their homes. This agile response to the despicable Russian invasion is living proof of our New Plan for Immigration – doing what is fair and right to support people in genuine need.”
It should be noted that the situation in Ukraine remains fluid and guidance may be subject to change at short notice. For the latest information, please check the guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
Support for individuals in Ukraine
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that the Ukrainian Humanitarian Route is being expanded, which will increase the number of people from Ukraine who are eligible to come to the UK to be reunited with their families.
The new changes will allow extended family members of British nationals and people settled in the UK to come. This will include parents, grandparents, adult children and siblings from Ukraine, as well as immediate family members. Extended family members will also be able to bring their immediate family with them. For example, a sibling of a settled person will be able to come to the UK with their spouse and child. Immediate family members are defined as:
- a spouse or civil partner
- an unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- your parent if you are under the age of 18
- your child under the age of 18
- an adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition.
Under the route, normal requirements for salary or language tests will be waived, but essential security checks will still take place. The Home Office will continue to accelerate these checks and process application as quickly as possible.
Sponsored humanitarian visa route
The Prime Minister also announced plans for a new scheme for Ukrainians with no ties to the UK to come here via an uncapped, sponsored humanitarian visa route. The route will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities to bring people to the UK.
Under the scheme, Ukrainians will be permitted to work and the sponsor would provide housing and integration support. The government will work closely with international partners and neighbouring countries on the scheme to ensure that displaced Ukrainians forced to flee their homes are supported to apply. The government will work closely with the devolved administrations and local authorities across the country to ensure that those wishing to sponsor an individual or family will be able to volunteer and be matched quickly with Ukrainians in need,
Further details on the community sponsorship route are being worked up at pace and will be communicated in due course, including how people and organisations in the UK can apply to be sponsors.
Support for Ukrainian nationals already in the UK
The Home Office has also agreed some temporary concessions to support Ukrainian nationals currently in the UK who are now unable to return when their existing visa expires. These concessions will assist Ukrainian nationals in extending their stay in the UK without having to leave and re-apply from overseas.
The Home Secretary has confirmed that those who are on work, study or visit visas in the UK will be able to switch into different visa routes without having to leave the UK, and Seasonal Workers will have their leave extended.
The key changes announced for Ukrainian nationals in the UK include:
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing points-based system route can extend their leave in the UK
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing visitor visa can exceptionally switch into a points-based system migration route without having to leave the UK
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing visitor visa can apply under the family route for further leave without meeting the immigration status requirement, provided they meet the requirements for leave based on exceptional circumstances
- Ukrainian nationals on an existing Seasonal Worker visa will have their leave in the UK extended to 31 December 2022
- Ukrainian nationals in temporary HGV/pork butcher jobs will have their leave in the UK extended to 31 December 2022 and will also be allowed to apply to the Skilled Worker route.
Visa Application Centres
The UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which is run by the Home Office’s commercial partner TLScontact, is currently closed.
Family members of British nationals resident in Ukraine who need a UK visa can apply through a new, temporary location in Lviv, or at a UK VAC in a neighbouring country. All other visa applicants will be unable to apply through a VAC in Ukraine and must apply through a VAC in a neighbouring country.
The UK government runs an extensive network of VACs in the region, including Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary. To cope with the increased demand, more staff have been surged to VACs and capacity has been extended at the VACs in neighbouring countries. In addition, a pop-up VAC has been opened in Rzeszow.
Where to get help
Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for these concessions should call the dedicated Home Office helpline on 0300 303 2785 for more information on how to apply.
The UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to advise against all travel to Ukraine, and British nationals are urged to leave Ukraine immediately it is safe to do so. Separate advice for British nationals in Ukraine can be found here.
Advice for UK visa applicants
At Smith Stone Walters, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the conflict in Ukraine, and we hope you and your loved ones are safe.
If you require advice on applying for a UK visa, we are here to help. To discuss your requirements with a qualified immigration advisor, please call us on 0208 461 6660 or email info@smithstonewalters.com.
