Application opens for Ukraine Family Scheme visa

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

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK.

It is free to apply.

You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.

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 prior to 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)

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

Immediate family members

An immediate family member is your:

• spouse or civil partner
• unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least two years)
• child who is under 18
• parent (if you are under 18)
• fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner

Extended family members

An extended family member is your:

• parent (if you are over 18)
• child who is over 18
• grandparent
• grandchild or your partner’s grandchild
• brother or sister

Immediate family member of an extended family member

An immediate family member of an extended family is the:

• spouse or civil partner of an extended family member
• child under 18 of an extended family member
• parent of a child under 18 who is an extended family member
• fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of an extended family member

If your UK-based family member is your (or an extended family member’s) spouse, civil partner, fiancé(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 the 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 can choose which scheme you apply for but please do not apply to both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.

Regardless of which scheme you apply to, if you’re eligible you’ll be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once you’re in the UK.

How long you can stay

Your visa will last 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 for this scheme.

How long it takes

We will prioritise your application and aim to make a decision as quickly as possible.

Applying from outside the UK

You must apply online for the Ukraine Family Scheme.

You will then book and attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Visa application centres

You will need to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a VAC as part of your application. Children under the age of 5 will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to attend the VAC and have a digital photograph taken.

When you attend the VAC you will need to provide your passport which will be scanned. If you do not have a passport you can still apply but will need to explain why you are unable to provide it.

The VAC in Kyiv is closed and all UK visa services in Kyiv are suspended.

There are temporary VACs for people applying for the Ukraine Family Scheme in:

• the Lemberg Business Centre in Lviv, Ukraine
• Rzeszow, Poland

You can apply at a VAC in any country if you are able to travel safely. VACs are currently operating throughout Europe including:

• Hungary
• Moldova
• Poland
• Romania
• Paris, France

Applying from inside the UK

Guidance on how to apply to the scheme from inside the UK will be available soon.