Information and advice for Ukrainians in Scotland
We are updating this page as we get information. Please also check the official sources linked on this page for the most up-to-date information.
You can also call our free helpline on 0808 1967 274 or contact us by email at ukraine@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
If you are already in Scotland with temporary immigration status, consider seeking legal advice if:
You want to extend or change your visa
- Read the Home Office information on Ukrainian nationals in the UK: visa support to find out what to do.
- Check Home Office information on the Ukraine Extension Scheme to see if you are able to apply for a 3 years visa.
You want to claim asylum as you are worried about your safety upon return to Ukraine. In Scotland you can:
- Get legal advice from a qualified legal representative. Your legal representative will advise you on your options. Find a Solicitor | Law Society of Scotland (lawscot.org.uk).
- Phone Migrant Help’s Helpline 0808 8010 503 (request an interpreter) for information about Home Office asylum support and assistance with making asylum applications.
- Phone the Scottish Refugee Council’s Helpline 0808 196 7274 (ask for an interpreter) for initial advice, information and signposting.
Read the Home Office information UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals for the types of assistance offered and the dedicated Home Office helpline numbers you can contact.
If you are of another nationality affected by the conflict such as Russian, Belarusian with temporary immigration status in Scotland, consider getting legal advice from a qualified legal representative. Your legal representative will advise you on your options. If you are worried about your safety you can consider claiming asylum.
Ukraine Family Scheme
The UK Government has announced a Ukraine Family Scheme. Under this scheme, the immediate and extended family members of British nationals, people settled in the UK, people with refugee status or humanitarian protection and people with pre-settled status, will be able to apply for a visa to come to the UK. It is free to apply. Check the Home Office information on the Ukraine Family Scheme.
If your family members are not eligible to apply for Ukraine Family Scheme check if they can apply under Homes for Ukraine scheme or check with your legal representative what other immigration routes may be open to them.
The British Red Cross helps find missing relatives abroad through their international family tracing service. You can find out information about their service here.
Free immigration advice:
Ukraine Advice Scotland:
The Ukraine Advice Scotland project is run by Just Right Scotland and gives free, confidential legal advice to Ukrainians and their family members who are seeking safety in Scotland.
You can contact qualified legal advisors by emailing ukraine@justrightscotland.org.uk or calling the free legal helpline 0800 995 6045. The helpline is open on Tuesdays from 2pm to 5pm (UK time) and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm (UK time). Interpreters provided if needed.
Ukraine Advice Project UK
The Ukraine Advice Project UK is for Ukrainian citizens affected by the invasion in need of free legal advice on UK immigration and asylum matters. Anyone affected by this conflict and seeking free legal advice can find more information on Ukraine Advice Project UK website and by emailing ukraine@freemovement.org.uk. Their website information is available in English, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian.
If you need further legal advice, get advice from a qualified legal representative:
- Find a lawyer in Scotland on the Law Society of Scotland website
- Find an Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulated adviser on the OISC adviser finder
- Here is a list of lawyers in Glasgow and Edinburgh
If you are destitute, on a low income and/or in receipt of social security, you may be able to get Legal Aid to pay for legal advice in Scotland. The legal representative will be able to help with this and apply for Legal Aid on your behalf.
Ukrainians arriving in Scotland have the same entitlements to NHS care as Scotland residents. The NHS Scotland Services Guide has been created to explain the range of NHS services available and how to access these services:
Access the NHS Scotland Services Guide for Ukrainians in Ukrainian/Українська and English via NHS inform here.
Access the NHS Scotland Services Guide for Ukrainians in Russian/РУССКИЙ and English via NHS inform here.