Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of shortening the application period for extending biometric residence permits from three months to 28 days on (a) all biometric residence permit holders and (b) biometric residence permit holders with children who are (i) taking exams and (ii) applying for university or apprenticeships.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme will open applications on 4 February 2025, with applications being accepted within 28-days of an individual’s current permission expiring.

Applications under most immigration routes are only accepted 28 days before the expiry of the current permission. This ensures sufficient time to apply to the scheme before existing permission expires. 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.

The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements as the existing Ukraine Schemes, to access work, benefits, healthcare and education. Further details on eligibility and application processes can be found at: Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).