A UK visa or immigration permission is always needed to enter the UK. This will be checked by airlines, ferry companies, or border control at airports, ports, or the channel tunnel. When entering the UK make sure that you have:
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a valid passport (eg a current or formally extended Ukrainian passport), and
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your visa or evidence of your immigration permission
Some businesses are supporting Ukrainians attempting to travel to the UK. For example, Eurostar is offering free train tickets from Eurostar stations to London for people with Ukrainian passports and visa permission to enter the UK. For more information on travel support, read the Red Cross’ guidance.
Visas
Current options for UK visas or immigration permissions for Ukrainians include:
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the Ukraine Family Scheme visa - open to Ukrainian nationals (and their immediate family members) who have family members settled in the UK. It is free to apply. You should apply online if you are outside of the UK. You can also apply from inside the UK.
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the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) - open to Ukrainian nationals (and their immediate family members) who have a sponsor willing to host them in the UK. Organisations such as Reset Communities and Refugees can help you find a sponsor. The Scheme is free. You should apply online with your sponsor
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the Ukraine Extension Scheme - Ukrainian nationals (and their immediate family members) can apply to stay in the UK under this scheme for up to 3 years. You can apply online for free. To be eligible for this scheme you must have:
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held permission to be in the UK (eg a work or study visa) that expired on or after 1 January 2022, or
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held/hold permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2023 (permission doesn’t need to cover this whole period)
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The Homes for Ukraine Scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme visa both require applicants to have lived in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (although you may now have left).
The Scottish and Welsh Governments were previously acting as sponsors for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. They both paused new applications earlier in 2022 to catch up with demand and, as of 21 October 2022, applications are still paused. Check the Scottish Government’s guidance and the Welsh Government’s guidance to see if they are taking new applications again.
Other entry routes include:
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entry as a European Economic Area (EEA) passport holder - EEA passport holders do not require visas to enter the UK as visitors
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usual UK visitor, work, or study visas - see which visas you may be able to apply for on the Government’s website
Note that you can only claim asylum once you are physically in the UK (see below).
Visa appointments
If you are applying for a regular visitor, work, or study visa, you usually need to attend a biometrics appointment (ie an appointment to provide face scans and fingerprints) at a visa application centre (VAC) before entering the UK.
If you are applying for a Ukraine Family Scheme or a Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa using a valid Ukrainian passport, you can provide biometric details (ie face scans and fingerprints) after you arrive in the UK.
If you are applying for a Ukraine Family Scheme or a Homes for Ukraine visa without a Ukrainian passport (eg you have an ID card or a different passport), you have to attend a biometrics appointment at a VAC before entering the UK. Note that, as of 21 October 2022, VACs in Ukraine are closed. You should check the Government’s website for updates.
For more information, see the Government’s guidance.