Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

You can apply for the UPE scheme if you:

• Hold or have held a Ukraine schemes visa (Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme, Ukraine Family scheme and Ukraine Extension scheme) or
• Were granted Leave Outside the Rules due to the conflict in Ukraine (in some circumstances).

Non-Ukrainian national applying as a partner

If you are a non-Ukrainian national applying as a partner, you will need to show that you are still in a relationship with the Ukrainian national.

Children born in the UK

You can apply for your child, if they were born in the UK after 18 March 2022 and you have a Ukraine Schemes Visa.

You must:

• Be living in the UK
• Be present in the UK at the time of application (you can't apply from outside the UK)
• Apply individually. This means all family members, including children must each submit an individual application

There is a long list of Leave Outside the Rules in the GOV.UK Case Workers Guidance: Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

The online applications opened at 9 am on 4 February 2025.

You should not apply as soon as the scheme opens. You should only apply before your existing visa is due to expire. Apply within 28 days before your current leave to remain expires. Make sure to apply in time and don't apply too early as early applications may be rejected. If this happens then you will need to apply again.

Be prepared:

Check your leave to remain expiry date and apply within 28 days of that date. You can find your leave to remain expiry date on your eVisa if you have set it up or in your Home Office decision letter

Start to gather information and documents in advance

Seek immigration advice in readiness for the application, if you feel you need to

Please remember that the Home Office will not remind you to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

You will find the link to the online application in the GOV.UK page: Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

You can apply online yourself using the link or if you feel you need to, seek immigration advice.

The online application process will ask you a series of questions confirming:

• You are currently in the UK when making the application
• Your identity
• Your current leave to remain status and expiry date
• Information about other family members applying separately
• Information about your accommodation in the UK
• Information on your travel history and any time spent outside the UK
• Information on your good character, e.g. whether you breached immigration law or have any criminal convictions

To apply make sure you have your:

• UKVI account and eVisa
• Valid passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. You may be able to use this to make the application process quicker

You may need to:

• Attend a biometrics appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC)
• Submit additional documents such as birth and marriage certificate for children and spouse/partners

Depending on your circumstances you may be asked to provide additional information and documents, for example you may be asked to:

• Demonstrate ongoing ties to the UK, e.g. tenancy agreement, utility bills, letters from employer, schools, benefits department
• Evidence of on-going relationship with your Ukrainian partner or spouse if you are not a Ukranian national

GOV.UK has more information on documents that may be required:

• Applying as a family member of a Ukrainian national
• Applying for a child
• The Home Office Caseworkers Guidance also lists documents that may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances

Certified translations if documents are not in English

If your documents are not in English but they are relevant, you need to provide certified translations, e.g. Ukrainian marriage certificates or birth certificates. If you have not provided certified translations, then the Home Office will not consider these. They may ask you to provide certified translations.

To be eligible for the scheme you need to be living in the UK. Short visits will not count as living outside the UK.

• If you have spent under 12 months in Ukraine, this time will not be considered as living outside the UK
• If you have spent under 12 months outside of the UK or Ukraine in third countries, you will generally need to demonstrate ongoing ties to the UK
• If you have spent more than 12 months outside the UK, you will need to demonstrate ongoing ties to the UK and the circumstances of your time spent outside of the UK. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

GOV.UK: Home Office Caseworkers Guidance: Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme has a useful flow chart that explains how they will assess whether you are 'living in the UK'.

Currently you need to book a biometric appointment to give your biometric information.

The Home Office plans to allow applicant to re-use previous biometric information if they have their BRP card however this digital service is not functional or within the online application form yet. At the end of your online application, you will be directed to book an appointment to provide your biometric information at the Visa Application Centre (VAC). Current VAC is TLS Contact.

The Home Office plans to decide within 8 weeks, after you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents and biometrics (if required)

Please be prepared that decisions can take less or more time.

Only regulated immigration advisers can give you advice on the application.

They are: 

•  Immigration lawyers 

•  Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) regulated immigration advisers 

It is a criminal offense for an unregulated person to give immigration advice. Some local council's resettlement team may provide support with the application. Please contact your local council to see if they can provide any support. 

If you are on low income, you may be able to get Legal Aid to pay for immigration advice. Your immigration adviser will be able to help you with this and if you are eligible for legal aid, they will apply on your behalf. You will need to provide proof of income or your benefit award letter. 

When you make an in-time application, your current permission and rights will continue under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. This is called Section 3C Leave.

If your current permission expires before a decision is made on your application, you will continue to be eligible for benefits, have the right to work and access education. Employers and other organisations, such as benefits department may ask you to provide proof that you have submitted an in-time application and are awaiting a decision.

You should be able to continue to evidence your rights and entitlements using your eVisa during this time.

• Check your UKVI account and eVisa information to see if the record shows continuation of rights. This is the way people now evidence their rights and entitlements in the UK. It is important to get your eVisa access set up, if you have not already.

We are aware that there are issues with the eVisa system where people have submitted in-time applications but their eVisas are not updated to reflect this.

• Keep copies of your completed and submitted application forms and email confirmation of submission. We hope these will enable you to prove that you have submitted an in-time application.

Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL), a charity has published guidance on this and have suggested that people request digital proof of their Section 3C leave status when submitting an application for leave to remain. Check out the RAMFEL guides:

• Section 3C Leave and Employer Responsibilities: A Guide
• Section 3C Leave and how to prove it

If you are unable to access your rights and entitlements due to employers or benefits departments not accepting Section 3C Leave status, contact our helpline 0808 196 7274 and we will try to advocate on your behalf

It is very important to apply before your current leave to remain expires.

If you do not apply on time, even if your application is successful later:

• You will lose your right to access benefits and right to work legally until a decision is made
• You may be asked to repay benefits paid to you during this period

If your leave to remain expires before you make a new application, you should seek legal advice urgently.

You must not travel outside of the UK while waiting for a decision.

The Home Office will withdraw your application if you travel outside the UK. If your application is withdrawn, you will become an ‘overstayer’ and lose your current rights and entitlements.

• You will be granted up to 18 months leave to remain from the current Ukraine scheme visa expiry date
• Your eVisa will be updated to reflect this
• You will have same rights to access benefits, education, health and right to work

Time spent in the UK on Ukraine Scheme visas, including Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, does not count towards the 10-year route for settlement (permanent residence).

Yes, the Home Office can refuse your application.

There is no right of appeal or administrative review against a refusal. You can apply again, fee free under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme if you believe you are eligible. Seek immigration advice as soon as possible if you think you may be refused. 

Check the Home Office guidance for reasons your application could be refused – Home Office Caseworkers Guidance: Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme