On Monday 19th February 2024, the following announcements were made by the UK Government relating to the Ukraine visa schemes:
- Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme – new scheme which will allow Ukrainian citizens currently in the UK under any of the three Ukraine visa Schemes to extend their stay by 18 months. Ukrainians will be able to apply for UPE three months before the expiry of their existing visa. See Government extends stay for Ukrainians in the UK.
- Homes for Ukraine (HFU) Scheme Changes:
- New visas issued under the scheme will be 18 months rather than 36 – this is to align them together with UPE (above)
- Change to sponsor requirements – Sponsors for new applications must now be settled themselves in UK – This means people that are British, Irish or hold indefinite leave to remain.
- Re-introduction of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules (Grounds for refusal) to Ukraine Schemes.
- The ‘thank you payments’ will continue for the duration of the guests HFU visa permission.
- See Apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
- Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS) – this scheme has now closed. See Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa.
- Ukraine Extension Scheme – this scheme will continue to operate until 16 May 2024, where it will then only be used for parents of Ukrainian children born in UK to regularise and align their child’s immigration status. See Apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
More information about these changes can be found in the Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 556, 19 February 2024.
All GOV.UK guidance has been updated to reflect these changes:
- Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for guests – Guides for Ukrainians about applying to the scheme, finding work, accessing benefits, education and health for children and adults.
- Homes for Ukraine: sponsor guides – Guides for sponsors on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including eligibility criteria, how to apply as a sponsor and advice about how to make your guests welcome in the UK.
- Homes for Ukraine: council guides – Guides for councils to understand what checks are needed for potential sponsors and their accommodation, how to access and use Foundry and the council’s role in the scheme.