Immigration routes for Ukrainian nationals particularly with family connections and currently here

In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s regime, the Home Office has introduced a package of concessionary immigration visa options, designed to assist Ukrainian nationals to come or stay in the UK - particularly those with family connections and those who are currently here in other categories.

It has generously waived the visa applications fees for family members of British citizens who live in Ukraine. Of note, should be the possibility of bringing adult relatives – potentially bringing into scope a wider range of family members, but on condition they require care, live together and medical assistance.

The Home Office has provided contact details for the most pressing groups, see below. Herewith is a summary taken from the Home Office website and is subject to change – please pass on this URL or information to anyone affected:

Family members of British citizens in Ukraine

The Home Office will allow non-British family members of a British citizen living in Ukraine to apply for a dependent visa free of charge – the British citizen needs to be:

• a spouse or Civil Partner

• an unmarried partner – where there the partners have lived akin
• a parent if the applicant is under the age of 18
• child under the age of 18
• an adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition.

Please note, the concession allows a British citizen under 18 to sponsor a parent!

Contact details

Telephone: +44 300 3032785 – select option 1 (0300 3032785 if you’re in the UK – select option 1)
Lines are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
This is a free phone number, but network charges may vary.

The Home Office will then assess your case and advise whether an applicant is eligible and provide details on the process.

Visa application Centre (VAC) in Kyiv is closed

The VAC’s in Kyiv is now closed. A temporary VAC has been opened in Lemberg Business Centre in the Lviv for those who have connections with a British national.

For those who are unable to access a VAC in Ukraine applicants can try ones in the following countries:

• Poland
• Romania
• Hungary
• Moldova.

The Home Office is looking to process visa applications within 24 hours of an applicant attending a VAC.

For those who have been approved a visa and need a vignette should contact the Home Office as follows:

Telephone: +44 300 3032785 – select option 1 (0300 3032785 if you’re in the UK – select option 1)
Lines are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.

Other visa routes

For Ukrainian who are not family members of British citizen or where the British citizen is living in the UK, they can make an application through a neighbouring countries British VAC.

Applicants falling in this group can contact the Home Office as follows:

Telephone: + 44 300 3032785 – select option 3 (0300 3032785 if you're in the UK – select option 3)
Monday to Friday 24 Hours
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.

Those who need to travel to the UK urgently

Applicants who want to come to the UK but not falling into one of the above categories will need to provide ‘compassionate reasons.’

Ukrainian nationals in the UK

Visitors                                   will be able to switch status into a points based or family route, but will otherwise need to meet the requirements of the route and pay for the associated visa application fees

Students                                can apply to extend their student status or if eligible the the Graduate visa subject to meeting the immigration requirements for the route

Seasonal worker                     can extend their stay until 31 December 2022, but must continue to work in the same role and employer - no action is required as the Home Office will contact you

HGV driver                             can extend their stay until 31 December 2022, as above

Pork butchers                          can apply to extend their stay until 31 December 2022 but should apply for an extension.

British passport applications

The Passport Office will prioritize British passport applications for those living in Ukraine.

RLegal immigration solicitors are based in central London and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.