Latest Changes to the UK Immigration System

 

On 4 March 2022 the Home Office introduced the Ukraine Family Scheme.

The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK.

It is free to apply.

You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.

Eligibility

To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:

·         be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family member; and

·         be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme; and

·         have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)

You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.

Your application will be subject to security checks.

UK-based family member

Your family member must be one of the following:

·         a British national

·         someone settled in the UK - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

·         someone from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland who has pre-settled status and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

·         someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

You must provide evidence that your UK-based family member is one of the following:

·         an immediate family member

·         an extended family member

·         an immediate family member of an extended family member

You will be asked to provide a copy of an official document that confirms your relationship to your UK-based family member. For example, a marriage or birth certificate if you have one.

Please note you can still apply if you are unable to provide this document, explaining why you are unable to do so.

Immediate family members

An immediate family member is your or your UK-based family member’s:

·         spouse or civil partner

·         unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least two years)

·         child who is under 18

·         parent (if you are under 18)

·         fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner

Extended family members

An extended family member is your UK-based family member’s:

·         parent (if you are over 18)

·         child who is over 18

·         grandparent

·         grandchild or your partner’s grandchild

·         brother or sister

·         aunt or uncle

·         niece or nephew

·         cousin

·         mother-in-law or father-in-law

·         grandparent-in-law

·         brother-in-law or sister-in-law

Immediate family member of an extended family member

An immediate family member of an extended family is the:

·         spouse or civil partner of an extended family member

·         child under 18 of an extended family member

·         parent of a child under 18 who is an extended family member

·         fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of an extended family member

If your UK-based family member is your (or an extended family member’s) spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner the relationship must have started before 1 January 2022.

Other family members will be considered where there are exceptional circumstances.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.

Fees

It is free to apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme.

You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee for this scheme.