Updates to the Ukraine
Family Scheme

The Home Office announced this week that from Tuesday 15 March, those applying for the Ukraine Family Scheme from outside of the UK will no longer be required to attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) before travelling to the UK, as long as they are in possession of a valid Ukrainian passport which can be used for international travel.

Those who are eligible for the Ukraine Family Scheme can apply from inside or outside the UK. The Home Office is prioritising applications under the scheme, therefore you should receive a decision as quickly as possible.

What is the Ukraine Family Scheme?

The Ukraine Family Scheme is a bespoke immigration category that has been specifically designed by the UK government to offer Ukrainian nationals a safe and legal route into the UK in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The scheme is open to immediate and extended family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others. Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be able to live, work and study in the UK as well as access public funds for up to three years. It is free to apply to the scheme, and applicants will not need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Who can apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme?

In order to apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa, you must:

  • be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family member; and
  • be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian nationals who is applying to the scheme; and
  • have been residing in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine).

Your UK-based family member must be either:

  • A British national
  • Someone settled in the UK (for example, someone with 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 and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
  • Someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.

You will also need to provide evidence that your UK-based family member is either an immediate family member, an extended family member, or an immediate family member of an extended family member.

All applicants to the Ukraine Family Scheme will be subject to security checks as standard for other categories of UK visa application. More information on eligibility requirements for the route can be found here.

Applying from outside the UK

You must apply online for the Ukraine Family Scheme if you are outside the UK.

If you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport or an expired Ukrainian international passport with a formal extension stamp issued by the Ukrainian government, you will need to complete an application online, but you do not need to attend an appointment at a VAC to give your biometric information.

When you apply, you will need to upload a copy of the photograph page of your Ukrainian international passport. If you have them, you should also provide any documents that evidence your relationship to your UK-based family member and show that you were residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022.

Once your application has been processed you will receive an official permission letter from UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) confirming that you can travel to the UK. You should not travel to the UK until you have received an official permission letter.

When you arrive in the UK, Border Force officers will check your permission letter and endorse your passport with a 6-month entry stamp. This stamp is evidence of your right to work, study and claim benefits in the UK. You will need to submit your biometric information within 6 months of arriving in the UK to extend your stay for up to 3 years and be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as evidence of your immigration status.

If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport, you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. VACs in Ukraine are currently closed, but you can apply at a VAC in any country if you are able to travel safely.

There is a temporary VAC for people applying for the Ukraine Family Scheme in Rzeszow, Poland. You’ll need to complete your online application and book an appointment before attending the Rzeszow VAC – walk-in appointments are no longer accepted.

VACs are currently operating throughout Europe including:

You will need to wait for a decision from UKVI on your application before travelling to the UK. The Home Office is prioritising applications under the Ukraine Family Scheme and therefore aims to make a decision as quickly as possible. You will be contacted when a decision has been made with more guidance on the travel process.

Applying from inside the UK

You can also apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme from inside the UK. You will need to apply online and then book and attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

At your appointment, you will need to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) to get a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

The Home Office is currently prioritising applications under the Ukraine Family Scheme and therefore aims to make a decision as quickly as possible. You will be contacted once a decision has been made.

Help with your application

If you have any questions about the Ukraine Family Scheme or need help with your application, you can call the free 24/7 helpline on +44 808 164 8810 (or 0808 164 8810 if you are in the UK).

Alternatively, Smith Stone Walters is currently offering free immigration advice to Ukrainians seeking to enter the UK. To speak to an advisor, please contact us today.

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