Since Feb 2025, Ukrainians and their eligible family members in the UK have been able to apply for further permission to remain for up to 18 months. We would like the extensions to be automatic and for the Government to set out a path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Ukrainians.
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In March 2022, many Ukrainians were offered 3-year visas, due to expire in March 2025.
We're concerned that applications for extension can only be made when a visa has 28 days or less until expiry. Early applications risk rejection.
It's been reported that processing the extension can take 8 weeks. We think it creates uncertainty.
There is no clarity on options after the 18 months. The years many Ukrainians have spent here should count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years, as it does for any other humanitarian route.
Wednesday 12th March 2025
We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the return of their citizens to help rebuild Ukraine when it is safe to do so. This is why the temporary Ukraine schemes do not lead to settlement.
The UK’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast and, together with our partners and allies, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and condemn the Russian government’s unprovoked and premeditated war. The Government strongly believes Ukraine will be safe again and we will continue to support the Ukrainian government for as long as it is necessary in its efforts against Putin.
We are proud that the British people have shown incredible generosity to, and solidarity with, the Ukrainian people, opening their homes to those seeking sanctuary. To date, the UK has offered or extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families under one of the three Ukraine schemes - the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
To provide future certainty, Ukrainians who are in the UK under the Ukraine schemes will be able to apply for further permission to remain in the UK through a bespoke Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme. The new route, which opened on 4 February 2025 before the first visas started to expire, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission, ensuring Ukrainians in the UK can continue to move into independent living and secure rental agreements and employment contracts.
This is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. For instance, those who are currently in the UK with permission under the Homes for Ukraine scheme will have UPE permission after their application is successful, they will not have time added to their existing Homes for Ukraine visa.
An automatic extension of existing permission would also mean automatically providing further permission to a person who has now left the UK and are no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK. Our reviews of the schemes ensure they remain on a consistent footing going forward, protect the integrity of the schemes and align with the wider immigration system.
UPE is free to apply for. Those granted permission under the scheme will continue to receive the same rights and entitlements as the existing Ukraine schemes provide, to access work, benefits, healthcare, and education. More information on the scheme, including details around eligibility requirements and the application process, can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-stay-in-the-uk-under-the-ukraine-extension-scheme.
Individuals will be able to apply to UPE within 28 days of their current Ukraine scheme’s permission expiring, which allows sufficient time for operational planning, to provide biometric enrolment capacity, and deliver the most efficient service for applicants. This approach ensures that applications from those whose permission is due to expire soonest are considered first. Provided an application is made before the date of expiry of existing permission, the applicant will continue to benefit from ongoing permission in the UK (and associated access to benefits and services) until a decision is made on their UPE application.
We expect that decisions will usually be made within 40 working days of biometrics being provided or document upload for customers using the AUK app. This is the greatest length of time we anticipate a non-complex application to take to process, not the average. Applicants will be notified when an application is not straightforward to assure them that it will be processed in a timely manner.
If an individual’s current permission expires before a decision is made on their UPE application, their current permission, along with their rights and entitlements, will continue under section 3C leave. Further guidance on 3C leave can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/3c-and-3d-leave. The purpose of this is to prevent a person who makes an in-time application to extend their leave from becoming an overstayer while they are awaiting a decision on that application.
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme will also remain available and free of charge for any Ukrainians who wish to make a new application to come to the UK. Applications must be sponsored by someone who is British, Irish or settled in the UK.
Our offer of sanctuary through the Ukraine schemes remains temporary in nature and does not lead to settlement in the UK. This recognises the Ukrainian government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens to help rebuild Ukraine when it is safe to do so. It is important our approach respects these wishes.
Other visa routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of those routes.
We will, of course, continue to keep the Ukraine schemes under consistent review in line with developments in the ongoing war.
Home Office