The UK Government has 2 Ukraine Schemes in place to support those who wish to either come to or remain in the UK:
- Homes for Ukraine - if you want to be sponsored by a UK household for 6 months, you may be able to apply to the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Existing visas have been granted for a three year period. From 19 February 2024:
- successful new applications will be granted 18 months ‘Leave to Remain’ in the UK, rather than the previous 3 year period. However, visa holders will be eligible to apply for the Permission Extension Scheme towards the end of the 18 month period, which could grant a further 18 month period of stay.
- eligibility and checks for Homes for Ukraine sponsors have also changed. Sponsors now must have the right to live in the UK permanently, be able to provide accommodation for at least 6 months in the UK and must pass Home Office security and criminal checks. It is no longer possible for anyone here in the UK on one of the Ukrainian visa schemes to act as a sponsor to bring over family and relatives.
- Ukraine Extension Scheme – (this scheme will be closing on 16 May 2024, except for children born in the UK to Ukraine visa holders) you can apply for this scheme if one of the following is true:
- You held permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2023 – the permission does not need to cover the whole period
- you previously held permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022. This route does not require a UK based sponsor.
If your child is born in the UK after 18 March 2022, you can apply for them under the Ukraine Extension Scheme if either:
- you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (including the Ukraine Family Scheme)
- you qualify under the Ukraine Extension Scheme
This route does not need a UK-based sponsor.
The Ukrainian Extension Scheme will remain open after 16 May 2024 for children who are born in the UK.
Read more information about applying to the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
On 19 February 2024, the UK Government announced the immediate closure of the Ukraine Family Scheme to new applications.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
If you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, or Ukraine Extension Scheme), you will be able to apply to stay in the UK for a further 18 months after the expiry of your current visa. This would be under the new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. Permission Extension is not automatic and will only be considered if you have applied for it. You will have an opportunity to apply 3 months before your existing visa is due to expire. If you do not apply, you will lose your right to stay in the UK. Further information about the new scheme will be available later in 2024.
Super Sponsor Route
If you have been issued a visa through the Homes for Ukraine Welsh Government Super Sponsor route but have not yet travelled to the UK, you can still do so. However, it is not yet clear whether existing visas can be extended through the Permission Extension if the existing visa has not yet been used to travel to the UK. More details are being sought and this page will be updated.
Other visas you may apply for
You may be eligible to make an application under other immigration routes.
Check which visas you may be able to apply for
Once you have made an application you should avoid applying to another scheme as this may delay a decision being made.
Immigration laws are very complicated. The Welsh Government wants to provide a sanctuary to anyone in need of support and protection. We try hard to make sure anyone in these situations can access services but this is not always possible.
The Welsh Government is not allowed to provide direct legal advice to any individual. It is very important that you get legal advice from a qualified and regulated solicitor. An organisation must be regulated by the ‘Office if the Immigration Services Commissioner’ (OISC) if they give you advice about your status. If they are not, they may be breaking the law. You can look for an OISC-regulated legal advisor in your area by searching on the OISC website.
The Welsh Government funds Asylum Justice to enable them to provide free immigration legal advice. To access that service contact UkraineProject@asylumjustice.org.uk
You may also be able to find useful immigration legal advice through the Ukraine Advice Project UK
What is a Biometric Residence Permit:
A biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used to confirm your:
- Right to stay in the UK
- Identity
- Right to study
- Right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to.
You will need to provide a photo of your face and your fingerprints, known as biometric information, within six months of arriving in the UK. This will enable you to extend your stay for up to three years.
You’ll usually get a BRP if you:
- apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months
- extend your visa to longer than 6 months
- apply to settle in the UK
- transfer your visa to a new passport
- apply for certain Home Office travel documents
You cannot use your BRP to confirm your right to work or rent.
If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’ on your BRP. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card.
Please keep this important document safe as it is evidence of your legal status in the UK. If you travel outside of the UK, you should ensure that carry your Biometric Residence Permit with you.
Your Biometric Residence Permit will usually arrive within 10 working days of getting your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office saying that you can remain in the UK
Someone aged 18 or over must be at the delivery address to receive your BRP. They’ll need proof of their identity - for example, a driving licence, passport or national identity card.
If your BRP has not arrived within 10 working days
Contact the delivery company TNT if either:
- your BRP has not arrived within 10 working days of you getting your decision letter
- you missed the delivery of your BRP
You’ll need:
- the postcode of the address you gave in your application
- the consignment number
(Your consignment number is a 9 number code. You’ll usually have it in emails from TNT and UK Visas and Immigration’s BRP courier delivery team.)
You’ll need to tell the Home Office that your BRP has not arrived if:
- you do not have a consignment number
- TNT is unable to help with your delivery question
- it’s been more than 30 days since you missed the delivery of your BRP
Contact the Home office by email: BRPDelivery@homeoffice.gov.uk
You should only contact the Home Office if any of the following applies:
- you have already contacted the delivery company, and they could not help you
- you do not have a consignment number to track your delivery with the delivery company
- you missed the delivery of your BRP more than 30 days ago
You’ll need the following information:
- your full name, date of birth and nationality
- an email or postal address
- your decision letter
You can get someone to contact the Home Office for you, for example a legal representative, charity, employer, college or university.
The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. You will usually get a response within 5 working days. It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address.
Report your missing BRP direct here
Information for lost BRP differs if you are inside or outside of the UK.
You can get someone to report your BRP lost for you. For example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university.
In the UK: If your lost or stolen BRP was valid for 3 months or more. You must report it lost or stolen within 3 months of losing it. You can be fined £1000 and made to leave the UK.
Outside the UK:
You cannot apply for a replacement BRP outside the UK. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which lets you re-enter the UK once only. It costs £154.
You can report your biometric residence permit (BRP) lost or stolen from inside or outside the UK. You can only apply for a replacement from inside the UK.
After reporting your BRP as lost or stolen:
The Home Office will contact you within one working day of reporting it.
There are other ways to prove your immigration status while you wait for a replacement BRP.
If you find your BRP after reporting it lost or stolen:
When your replacement arrives, cut your older BRP into pieces and post it to the Home Office. Make sure you cut through:
- your personal details
- the royal coat of arms
- the gold biometric chip, if your card has one
Returns Unit
PO Box 195
Bristol
BS20 1BT
More information here.
If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’ on your BRP. This is not a mistake - it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report that.
To report any fault on your BRP, you will need to have the following:
- your BRP number
- your full name, date of birth and nationality as they appear on your BRP
- an email or postal address
You can get someone to report the problem for you, for example a legal representative, a charity, employer, college or university.
The Home Office will email you to tell you what to do next. You will usually get a response within 5 working days. It’ll take longer if you do not give an email address. There are other ways to prove your immigration status if you cannot use your BRP.
Report the problem here.
You may have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your BRP. Not all BRPs have this. This will depend on the date it was issued and your visa status.
You’ll need to apply for an NI number if all of the following apply:
- there is not one on your BRP
- you do not already have one
- you’re planning to work, claim benefits, apply for a student loan or pay
Look at the 'Jobs' section of the Sanctuary website for more information if you are planning to work.
Look at the 'Money' section of the Sanctuary website for more information on Claiming benefits (Universal Credit).
Home Office advise not to leave the UK before you have your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). BRP plus an International Passport is needed to travel back to UK. Foreign Office strongly advise not to travel to Ukraine unless it is for emergency.
The Ukrainian embassy has information about travel and passports on its website. If you left the country without your passport, you will need to get a replacement for travel.
There are two options:
1. Temporary 'White Passport' - these will allow one way travel to Ukraine. It is valid for 30 days. It will not allow travel back to UK.
2. Full international passport - these are issued by the Ukrainian embassy. In-person appointments are necessary. Appointments can be booked online, but the appointment slots are limited.
International travel is ok under the Ukraine visa schemes. Some benefits, such as Universal Credit, will be invalidated if there is an absence of 28 days or more. Please inform the Department of Work and Pensions if you intend to be away for longer than 28 days.
Please keep your BRP safe as it is evidence of your legal status in the UK. If you travel outside of the UK, you should ensure that carry your Biometric Residence Permit with you.