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UKRAINE FAMILY SCHEME

A SCHEME FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WHO HAVE FAMILY IN THE UK

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK.

Eligibility:

To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:

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

You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.

Your application will be subject to security checks.

UK-based family member

Your 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 and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
  • someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You must provide evidence that your UK-based family member is one of the following:

  • an immediate family member
  • an extended family member
  • an immediate family member of an extended family member

You will be asked to provide a copy of an official document that confirms your relationship to your UK-based family member. For example, a marriage or birth certificate if you have one.

Please note you can still apply if you are unable to provide this document, explaining why you are unable to do so.

Supporting Documents (Applying 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

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 visa application centre (VAC) to give your biometric information.

Uploading Supporting Documents

You must upload a copy of the photograph page of your valid or expired Ukrainian international passport.

If you are applying with an expired Ukrainian international passport you must upload a copy of the page where the formal extension stamp issued by the Ukrainian government is shown.

If you have them, you should also provide any documents that show:

  • your relationship to your UK-based family member
  • you were residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022

You can upload your documents using the 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 images of your documents, you can still book an appointment at a VAC.

Official permission letter

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.

The permission letter will allow you to board a plane or other form of transport to the UK.

At the UK border

Border Force, airlines and carriers will be informed that customers with valid Ukrainian passports who have been accepted under the Ukraine Family Scheme will be issued with a letter confirming they have permission to travel to the UK without a UK visa in their passport.

When you arrive in the UK, you will need to show your permission letter to Border Force officers who will endorse your passport with a 6-month entry stamp.

The 6-month entry stamp is evidence of your right to work, study and claim benefits in the UK.

If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport

If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

If you have a Ukrainian domestic passport or ID card, you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

Visa application centre availability

VACs in Ukraine are currently closed. You can apply at a VAC in any country if you are able to travel safely.

Fee: £0

Conditions: You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds for an initial period of 3-years.

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