Immigration Rules Appendix Ukraine Scheme

Appendix Ukraine Scheme

This Appendix sets out 2 routes for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine: the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme for those applying from outside the UK and the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme for those applying in the UK for further permission to stay for up to 18 months.

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

A Ukrainian national who is outside the UK may qualify under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme if they have an Approved sponsor who will provide them with accommodation for at least 6 months.

A child who is not applying with, or intending to join, their parent or legal guardian in the UK must have an Approved sponsor who was approved for the child by a Local Authority before the application is made, and must have agreed to accommodate the child for at least 18 months or until the child is 18 years old (whichever is soonest), so long as the child is sponsored for at least 6 months.

Immediate family members of a Ukrainian national who are not themselves Ukrainian may also qualify under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

A person in the UK may qualify under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme if they hold, or have previously held, permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme (which, for the purposes of this Appendix, includes the now closed Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme).

Children born in the UK to Ukrainian nationals who have permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme are eligible to apply under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

The Ukraine Family Scheme (which was available to eligible Ukrainian nationals with an eligible UK based family member sponsor) closed to new applications at 1500GMT on 19 February 2024.

The Ukraine Extension Scheme (which was available to eligible Ukrainian nationals or their close family members) closed to most new applications on 16 May 2024. It remained open to children born in the UK to parents who had permission under any of the Ukraine Schemes. The scheme closed in its entirety at 0900GMT on 4 February 2025.

The Ukraine Schemes (including the now closed Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme) are not a route to settlement.

Ukraine Family Scheme

Validity requirements for the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 1.1. DELETED.
  1. UKR 1.2. DELETED.
  1. UKR 1.3. DELETED.

Suitability requirements for the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 2.1. DELETED.

Eligibility requirements for the Ukraine Family Scheme

Entry requirements for the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 3.1. DELETED.

Variation of entry clearance application after arrival for person given letter authorising travel to UK

  1. UKR 4.1. DELETED.

Residence requirement for the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 5.1. DELETED.
  1. UKR 5.2. DELETED.

Relationship requirement for a family member under the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 6.1. DELETED.
  1. UKR 6.2. DELETED.
  1. UKR 6.3. DELETED.
  1. UKR 6.4. DELETED.

Suitability of UK based sponsor requirement

  1. UKR 6A.1. DELETED.

Nationality requirement for the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 7.1. DELETED.
  1. UKR 8.1. DELETED.
  1. UKR 8.2. DELETED.

Decision under the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 9.1. DELETED.

Period and conditions of grant under the Ukraine Family Scheme

  1. UKR 10.1. DELETED.
  1. UKR 10.2. DELETED.

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

Validity requirements for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 11.1. A person applying for entry clearance under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form: “Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme”.
  1. UKR 11.2. An application for entry clearance under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
    2. (b) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily established their identity and nationality; and
    3. (c) the applicant must be outside the UK on the date of application: and
    4. (d) the applicant must have provided the name of a UK sponsor who has offered them accommodation in the UK.
  1. UKR 11.3. If the applicant is aged under 18 on the date of application they must either:
    1. (a) be applying with, or to join in the UK, their parent or legal guardian; or
    2. (b) their sponsor must have been approved as a sponsor for that applicant under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme under the guidance: “Homes for Ukraine - Applications to Homes for Ukraine for children who are not travelling or reuniting with their parent or legal guardian: Guidance for Councils” before the date of application and the applicant must provide evidence of that approval in the form of a reference number.
  1. UKR 11.3A. If an application for entry clearance under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme is varied to permission to stay under paragraph UKR 14.1, the applicant must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) they must have provided biometrics when required; and
    2. (b) they must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily established their identity and nationality; and
    3. (c) they must be in the UK on the date of application.
  1. UKR 11.4. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 12.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under any of the following paragraphs of Part 9: grounds for refusal:
    1. (a) 9.2.1 to 9.2.2 (exclusion or deportation orders); or
    2. (b) 9.3.1 to 9.3.2 (non-conducive); or
    3. (c) 9.4.1 to 9.4.5 (criminality); or
    4. (d) 9.5.1 to 9.5.2 (exclusion from asylum or humanitarian protection); or
    5. (e) 9.6.1 to 9.6.2 (involvement in sham marriage or sham civil partnership); or
    6. (f) 9.7.1 to 9.7.3 (false representations and deception); or
    7. (g) 9.8.1. to 9.8.8. (previous breach of immigration laws); or
    8. (h) 9.9.1. to 9.9.2. (failure to provide required information); or
    9. (i) 9.10.1. to 9.10.2. (admissibility to the Common Travel Area or other countries); or
    10. (j) 9.14.1. to 9.20.2. and 9.23.1. to 9.24.1. (grounds for refusal and cancellation on arrival).

Eligibility requirements for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

Entry requirements for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 13.1. A person seeking to come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must apply for and obtain entry clearance under Appendix Ukraine Scheme before they arrive in the UK.

Variation of entry clearance application after arrival for person holding permission to travel on arrival

  1. UKR 14.1. The Secretary of State may vary an application for entry clearance to an application for permission to stay if the applicant meets the following requirements:
    1. (a) has made an application for entry clearance which has not been decided; and
    2. (b) has been given a letter from the Home Office confirming the applicant can travel to the UK under a Ukraine Scheme; and
    3. (c) is granted permission to enter on arrival in the UK; and
    4. (d) provides biometrics when required after arrival in the UK.

UKR 14.2. For the purpose of the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme “parent” includes a step-parent.

Approved sponsor requirement for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 15.1. An applicant under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must have an Approved sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
  1. UKR 15.2. If a family group is applying under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the Ukrainian national and their immediate family members (meaning an individual set out in UKR 18.1.) must have the same Approved sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
  1. UKR 15.3. If the applicant is a child, the Approved sponsor must not previously have failed to meet the requirements for approval as a sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme under the guidance: “Homes for Ukraine - Applications to Homes for Ukraine for children who are not travelling or reuniting with their parent or legal guardian: Guidance for Councils”.
  1. UKR 15.4. If a child is not applying with or to join their parent or legal guardian, but they are applying with or to join an adult relative (meaning a grandparent, uncle, aunt or sibling aged 18 or older) who qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the child and the adult relative must have the same Approved sponsor.

Residence requirement for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 16.1. An applicant applying for entry clearance under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must have been ordinarily resident in Ukraine immediately before 1 January 2022, unless they are a child born on or after that date.

Nationality requirement for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 17.1. The applicant must be either:
    1. (a) a Ukrainian national; or
    2. (b) part of an immediate family group (meaning the group set out in UKR 18.1.) which includes an immediate family member who is a Ukrainian national who has been granted under or is applying under and qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

Relationship requirement for a family member under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 18.1. If the applicant is not a Ukrainian national, they must be the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who has been granted under or is applying under and qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, meaning a:
    1. (a) partner of the Ukrainian national; or
    2. (b) child aged under 18 on the date of application of the Ukrainian national or of their partner; or
    3. (c) parent of a Ukrainian national child aged under 18 on the date of application (if the child is applying under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme); or
    4. (d) fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of the Ukrainian national.
  1. UKR 18.2. If applying as a partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, the applicant must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with the Ukrainian national which commenced before 1 January 2022.
  1. UKR 18.3. If applying as a partner, the requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

UKR 19A.1. If the applicant is aged under 18 on the date of application and they are joining (and not accompanying) a parent or legal guardian in the UK, they must have written consent from the parent or legal guardian in the UK who they are joining, unless the decision maker is satisfied it is reasonable in the circumstances to grant the child entry clearance without that consent.

  1. UKR 19A.2 The written consent must confirm support for all of the following:
    1. (a) the application; and
    2. (b) that the applicant will live with the parent or legal guardian in the UK; and
    3. (c) the applicant’s travel to, and reception arrangements in, the UK.
  1. UKR 19B.1. If a child is not applying with, or to join in the UK, a parent or legal guardian the applicant must have provided written consent from a parent or legal guardian to the child coming to live in the UK with the named sponsor (who was approved under UKR 11.3(b)) and any adult relative who is applying with the child. The consent must be signed by at least one parent or the child’s legal guardian, and notarised or approved by:
    1. (a) the notary authorities or Guardianship service of the city/regional council in Ukraine; or
    2. (b) if the applicant is outside Ukraine, notary authorities in the country the applicant is residing in or a Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate.

Decision on an application under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 19.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are met, the application will be granted; otherwise, the application will be refused.

Period of grant for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 20.1. The applicant will be granted permission for a period of up to 18 months.

Conditions of grant for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

  1. UKR 20.2. The permission will be granted subject to the following conditions:
    1. (a) access to public funds permitted; and
    2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; and
    3. (c) study permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

Validity requirements for the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 21.1. DELETED
  1. UKR 21.2. DELETED
  1. UKR 21.3. DELETED
  1. UKR 21.4. DELETED

Suitability requirements for the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 22.1. DELETED

Eligibility requirements for the Ukraine Extension Scheme

Nationality requirement for the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 23.1. DELETED

UKR 23A.1. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a partner or child under the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 24.1. DELETED
  1. UKR 24.2. DELETED
  1. UKR 25.1. DELETED
  1. UKR 25.2. DELETED

Care requirement for a child under the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 26.1. DELETED

Decision under the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 27.1. DELETED

Period and conditions of grant under the Ukraine Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 28.1. DELETED
  1. UKR 28.2. DELETED

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

Validity requirements for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

UKR 29.1. A person applying for permission to stay under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

  1. UKR 29.2. An application for permission to stay under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) it has not been made more than 28 days before expiry of the applicant’s current permission; and
    2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
    3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily established their identity and nationality and
    4. (d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
  1. UKR 29.3. The applicant must have been granted permission to stay in the UK or Islands:
    1. (a) under Appendix Ukraine Scheme, or the equivalent permission granted in the Islands; or
    2. (b) outside the rules on or between 20 February 2022 and 2 May 2022, on the basis that the applicant would have been granted permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme had those rules been in force at that date; or
    3. (c) outside the rules as a person who is:
      1. i) a Ukrainian national, or their family member as defined by section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1971; and
      2. ii) was in the UK and exempt from immigration control in accordance with the Immigration Act 1971 between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023; and
      3. iii) would have met the requirements of Appendix Ukraine Scheme if they had ceased to be exempt from immigration control between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023; and
      4. iv) ceased being exempt from immigration control between 16 November 2023 and 4 February 2025; or
      5. v) a family member who does not meet the conditions of section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1971, of a Ukrainian national who would have met the requirements to act as a sponsor under the Ukraine Family Scheme on or before 15:00 GMT 19 February 2024 had they (the Ukrainian national) not been exempt from immigration control in accordance with the Immigration Act 1971 at that time; or
      6. vi) a member of a group who was transferred to the UK between 14 February 2022 to 30 March 2022 inclusive in order to facilitate their relocation from Dnipro as a result of a specific agreement with the Ukrainian Government; or
      7. vii) a person who was admitted to the UK for the purposes of urgent medical treatment in the UK following agreement about such treatment with the Department of Health and Social Care in their particular case; or
      8. viii) the parent or carer of a child who meets the conditions of UKR 29.3(c)(vi) or UKR 29.3(c)(vii), or
      9. ix) as a child who made a Homes for Ukraine Scheme application before 10 August 2022 and met the requirements for the concession to Appendix Ukraine Scheme as set out in the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme guidance from 15 July 2022.

UKR 29.4. UKR 29.3 does not apply if the applicant was born in the UK or Islands after 18 March 2022 to a Ukrainian national parent who was granted permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme or the equivalent permission in the Islands.

UKR 29.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 30.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under any of the following paragraphs of Part 9: grounds for refusal:
    1. (a) 9.2.1 to 9.2.2 (exclusion or deportation orders); or
    2. (b) 9.3.1 to 9.3.2 (non-conducive); or
    3. (c) 9.4.1 to 9.4.5 (criminality); or
    4. (d) 9.5.1 to 9.5.2 (exclusion from asylum or humanitarian protection); or
    5. (e) 9.6.1 to 9.6.2 (involvement in sham marriage or sham civil partnership); or
    6. (f) 9.7.1 to 9.7.3 (false representations and deception); or
    7. (g) 9.8.1. to 9.8.8. (previous breach of immigration laws); or
    8. (h) 9.9.1. to 9.9.2. (failure to provide required information); or
    9. (i) 9.10.1. to 9.10.2. (admissibility to the Common Travel Area or other countries); or
    10. (j) 9.14.1. to 9.20.2. and 9.23.1. to 9.24.1. (grounds for refusal and cancellation on arrival).

UKR 30.2. A period of overstaying will be disregarded for the purpose of Part 9 if paragraph 39E applies.

Eligibility requirements for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

Nationality requirement for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 31.1. The applicant must be either:
    1. (a) a Ukrainian national; or
    2. (b) if not a Ukrainian national, an individual who was granted under Appendix Ukraine Scheme as:
      1. (i) the partner of a Ukrainian national; or
      2. (ii) the child of a Ukrainian national; or
      3. (iii) the parent of a Ukrainian national who was granted Ukraine scheme leave before they turned 18 years old; or
      4. (iv) the fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of a Ukrainian national; or
      5. (v) a family member granted permission in accordance with the rules at the time in Appendix Ukraine Scheme on the now closed Ukraine Family scheme, or outside the rules in accordance with UKR 29.3(b) or UKR 29.3(c); or
    3. (c) an individual who is the parent of a UK-born child who is in the UK with permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme, or a child who meets the criteria at UKR 29.4 and who would, if they made an application, be eligible for under Appendix Ukraine Scheme; or
    4. (d) a child who was born in the UK after 18 March 2022 to a Ukrainian national parent.

UKR 31.2. A child born in the UK must provide a full UK birth certificate showing the names of their parent(s).

UKR 31.3. For the purpose of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme “parent” does not include a step-parent unless they are the legal or adoptive parent of the child.

Relationship requirement for a partner or parent under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 32.1. If the applicant previously qualified for Ukraine Scheme permission, or permission outside the rules in accordance with UKR 29.3(b) or 29.3(c), based on their relationship as the partner of a Ukrainian national, they must either:
    1. (a) continue to be in a relationship with a Ukrainian national who has, or previously had permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme, and the requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met; or
    2. (b) be the parent of a child who is in the UK with permission, under Appendix Ukraine Scheme, or a child who meets the criteria at UKR 29.4 and who would, if they made an application, be eligible for permission under this Appendix.

UKR 32.2. To meet the requirements of UKR 32.1(b), a birth certificate showing the names of the child’s parent(s) must be provided. If an applicant does not hold a copy of their child’s birth certificate, other evidence demonstrating that they are the parent of the child may be considered.

Residence requirement for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 33.1. An application may be refused if the applicant has not been living in the UK and Islands since they:
    1. (a) arrived in the UK with Ukraine Scheme permission; or
    2. (b) were granted Ukraine Scheme permission in the UK.

UKR 33.2. Temporary periods spent in Ukraine will not be regarded as living outside of the UK and Islands for the purpose of UKR 33.1.

UKR 33.3. Temporary periods spent outside the UK and Islands or Ukraine may not be regarded as living outside of the UK and Islands for the purpose of UKR 33.1 if an applicant can demonstrate ongoing ties to the UK which require a grant of further permission.

  1. UKR 34.1. If the applicant is aged under 18 years on the date of application and they will not be living with their parent or legal guardian, they must have written consent from:
    1. (a) both parents; or
    2. (b) one parent, if that parent has sole legal responsibility for the applicant; or
    3. (c) the applicant’s legal guardian,
  2. unless the decision maker is satisfied it is reasonable in the circumstances to grant the child permission without such written consent.
  1. UKR 34.2. The written consent must provide contact details of the parent(s) or legal guardian and confirm consent is given for both of the following:
    1. (a) the application; and
    2. (b) the applicant’s living and care arrangements in the UK.

Care requirement for a child applying under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

UKR 35.1. If the applicant is aged under 18 years on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK, which must comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.

Decision on an application under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

UKR 36.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme are met, the application will be granted; otherwise, the application will be refused.

Period of grant for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 37.1. The applicant will be granted permission to stay for whichever is the shorter of either:
    1. (a) 18 months; or
    2. (b) a period which would mean the applicant has been granted a maximum of 18 months under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, except if any of the following apply:
      1. (i) if the applicant is a child whose parent qualifies under UKR 31.1 and is granted permission at the same time as the applicant, the applicant will be granted permission in line with that parent; or
      2. (ii) if the applicant is a child whose parent has permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme the applicant will be granted permission in line with that parent; or
      3. (iii) if the applicant is a child where both parents are in the UK and either qualify under UKR 31.1 and are granted permission at the same time as the applicant or have permission granted under Appendix Ukraine Scheme the applicant will be granted permission in line with the parent whose permission expires last.

Conditions of grant for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

  1. UKR 38.1. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
    1. (a) access to public funds permitted; and
    2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; and
    3. (c) study permitted, subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) condition in Appendix ATAS.