Immigration News, News, Visas
UK Visas Ukraine Extension Scheme
A recent change in the Immigration Rules sees the introduction of Ukraine Extension Scheme which enables those in the UK granted six months’ Leave Outside the Rules at the border. obtain 36 months’ permission to stay in the UK.
Under the Ukraine Extension Scheme individuals can live, work and study in the UK if they are a Ukrainian or the close family member of a Ukrainian.
Individuals 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 currently lead to settlement – this means that individuals may not be able to count any time you spend in the UK with this visa as part of an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in future.
Example cases
If you are in the UK on a Seasonal Worker visa you cannot usually switch to another visa. You may wish to switch to the Ukraine Extension Scheme visa if you are eligible.
If you are in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa you may wish to keep your current visa. You can apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you have lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements for settlement on the Skilled Worker immigration route.
It is free to apply.