Visas and Permits - Ukraine nationals
About Visas
The right to enter the UK is as a Ukrainian national is possible through a range of visas including those under sponsorship in the Homes for Ukraine scheme and through the Ukraine Family Scheme. See here.
The right to enter and remain at that time is 6 months but it can be altered over time though residence permits that carry biometric data. The government website is the definitive guide for visas and permits. Find it here.
This is a useful step by step guide from the government to confirm your immigration status.
This is an accessible version from the Government of Immigration information for Ukrainians: next steps after arriving in the UK
Helpline There is a dedicated, UK Visas and Immigration Service, 24 hour, helpline for visa issues for Ukrainians. +44 808 164 8810 Or +44 01753 907510 if you cannot access 0808 numbers from abroad
People have a good and quick response from these numbers although it is an advice line and cannot give you updates on the progress of a visa application.
Complete your Ukraine Scheme Status in the UK
If you entered the UK under any of the Ukraine Schemes, that is you applied under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) before you arrived in the UK then start the process of completing your status here.
You need to do this within 6 months of arriving in the UK if you received a stamp in your passport when you entered the UK. You will then be able to stay in the UK for up to 3 years. You will be told how to do this in your decision letter.
This process will also be an application for your Biometric Residence Permit if this has not yet been applied for before entering the country.
The Biometric Residence Permit
Is proof of evidence of your right to live, work and study in the UK. This can be used as proof of identity when opening a bank account or renting a property. The electronic chip holds information such as name, date of birth and place of birth. It will also have your photograph, fingerprints, and your immigration status.
Getting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
Your permission letter will tell you if you need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), and where to get it, when you arrive in the UK. This is usually a named Post office. You need to get it within 10 days of arriving or by the expiry date on your visa, whichever is later.
Your permission letter might say you need to provide your biometric information once you’re in the UK. If it does, you need to do this within 6 months of arriving in the UK to get your BRP. This will allow you to stay for up to 3 years. Start the process of completing your status and applying for the BRP here.
UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) delays or problems:
Email poukr@homeoffice.gov.uk with the following subject line “Difficulty or delay with biometric residence permit (BRP)” providing your:
Unique Application Reference (UAN) number
Full name
Date of birth
Passport number
Date of your appointment or timings of delay
Rights associated with the BRP
Right to work using BRP: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work
Right to rent using BRP: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent
BRP guidance and info: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits
For more complex immigration matters
ICN Immigration Advice – Based in Bournemouth
https://www.icn.org.uk/how-we-help/immigration/
Citizens Advice Immigration Advice – Based in Bournemouth
https://www.citizensadvicebcp.org.uk/immigration
Ukraine Advice Project - Immigration Advice for Ukraine in English only
https://www.advice-ukraine.co.uk/home/en/
Ukraine Immigration Advice – Advice in Ukrainian and Russian
https://settled.org.uk/ukraine/
For children born in UK under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme – UK Government guidance
Children born to parents in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are eligible to regularise their immigration status through the Ukraine Extension Scheme. Parents should make an application to regularise the child’s position in the UK within the first three months, to ensure the child has immigration status and access to services and benefits, including healthcare.
Guidance for guests:
Guidance for councils:
Travel to Europe
To travel to countries in Europe, such as France, your guest will need to have a biometric passport from their country (Ukraine) to enter the European country and a BRP to confirm UK residency and gain re-entry into the UK.
Schengen visas are not necessary if staying for less than 90 days provided the passport is a biometric one.
If the guest does not have a biometric passport or a travel document for Schengen countries then they can check whether they need a visa at this site using this visa wizard. BEWARE SCAM Sites that offer a service to help get visas for Schengen countries.
If your guest needs a visa they should attend the relevant embassy or consulate for their case to be considered.
For travel documents issued by other countries, you will need to check with the relevant embassy or authority of that country.
In the case, of visits to Russia families should check the Foreign Office advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia
Be careful - seek qualified professional advice
It is very important that for specific personal situations advice should come from an immigration adviser regulated by the Law Society or OISC (Office of Immigration Service Commissioner).
Find an immigration adviser
