Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme 8.4.2026 | Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Guidance for Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who wish to remain in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. Overview If you’re a Ukrainian national, or the family member of a Ukrainian national, and are living in the UK with existing permission on one of the Ukraine schemes, you may be eligible to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme to continue living in the UK for 18 months. If your initial period of UPE permission is coming to an end, you may be eligible to apply for a further 24-month extension under the scheme. You’ll be able to apply for this extension 90 days before your current UPE permission expires, using the ‘Apply’ section. It is free to apply. You can now apply to the UPE scheme 90 days before your current Ukraine Scheme permission expires, for both first and second time UPE applications. Applying at any point within the 90-day window will not reduce the total permission granted. Any remaining valid permission will be added to your new grant. Who can apply To apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme you must have already been granted permission under one of the other Ukraine Schemes. This means that you must have been previously granted permission to stay in the UK under either the: Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) Ukraine Family Scheme Ukraine Extension Scheme You may also be eligible to apply to the UPE scheme if you previously held permission under one of the Ukraine Schemes and now hold a different valid visa to remain in the UK, or if you have been granted leave outside the Immigration Rules in certain specified circumstances. You must also: be in the UK when making an application have been living in the UK (and Islands, which includes Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man) since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes If you are a non-Ukrainian national applying as a partner, you’ll generally need to continue to be in an eligible relationship with a Ukrainian national. Children born in the UK You can apply to the UPE scheme for your child if they were born in the UK after 18 March 2022 to a Ukrainian national parent who holds permission to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Schemes. You can apply for permission under UPE for your child born in the UK as soon as they are born, providing you have the documents outlined in the applying for a child under 18 section. Holding permission under UPE allows your child to travel in and out of the UK. NHS treatment charges may apply to your child without valid immigration status 3 months after their birth. When to apply You can now apply under the UPE scheme within 90 days of your current permission expiring, whether this is your first or second UPE application. If you apply too early, your application may be rejected. This will not prevent you from submitting another free application within the 90 day period. Applying within the 90 day period will not reduce the length of permission you receive. Any time left of your current permission will be added to the new period, if your application is granted. You must make an application before your current permission expires. If you apply after your current permission expires, even if your application for UPE is successful later, you’ll lose your current entitlements to work, rent and receive benefits until a decision is made on your late application. You may be required to repay any public funds (for example, certain benefits) that are paid to you during this period. This does not apply where an application is submitted on time, but the decision is made after the current permission has expired. It is important that you know the date when your current permission will end so that you apply to UPE in time. If you are unsure when your current permission ends sign into your UKVI account to find out. Find out how to view your current immigration status. What you need to apply Before you apply to the scheme, make sure you: have created a UKVI account and have access to your eVisa update your UKVI account with the identity documents you’ll use for your application, for example your passport - if you need to add or update your identity documents you need to do this before you make your application have your passport and expired biometric residence permits (BRP) card, as it may be required When making your application, you’ll need to: prove your identity confirm you are in the UK when making your application confirm whether you have had permission to be in the UK on a Ukraine Scheme provide information about your accommodation in the UK provide information about any time you have spent living outside the UK or Ukraine since you were granted permission under the Ukraine Schemes You may need to provide other evidence of your eligibility depending on your individual circumstances. You’ll generally not be required to upload evidence as part of your application but in some cases a caseworker may contact you to ask for additional information or evidence. If you are not a Ukrainian national, you’ll also need to provide information about your relationship to a Ukrainian national, see applying as the family member of a Ukrainian national. If we need further evidence of your relationship to a Ukrainian national, you may be asked to provide documents such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate. If you’re applying as or on behalf of a child under the age of 18,you’ll need to provide additional information and evidence, see applying for a child. If we need further evidence that you have been living in the UK, you may be asked to provide evidence that shows your address in the UK. Examples of acceptable evidence may include, but are not limited to: evidence of living in a property in the UK, such as a tenancy agreement, mortgage agreement, letter from landlord, documents of ownership deeds or letter from housing trust employment letter confirming the applicant is in regular employment in the UK a letter from a local authority – for example where there is contact with child or school placements a letter from an educational institution pertaining to the applicant or a family member who is dependent on them confirming enrolment and attendance on a course of study bank statements showing regular spending activity in the UK any UK bills, such as council tax, utility bills, phone bills, TV licence, or veterinary bills Where documents provided are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a full dated and signed translation in English that can be verified. This must be dated and include the full name and signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company and their contact details. The specified documents may be original or copies and must contain the your full contact details. Proof of identity To prove your identity, you can use a valid international passport. You can also use an expired biometric residence permit (BRP) if you have already provided a valid passport to the Home Office. If you have not previously provided a valid international passport to the Home Office, you must submit one when you apply for UPE as proof of your nationality. If you have previously provided a valid passport, you will not need to resubmit it. If you do not have a valid international passport and have not provided one before You should apply for a passport as soon as possible and submit it with your UPE application. If you apply for UPE before receiving your passport, you must show evidence that you have already applied for one. If you are experiencing delays in getting a passport, please tell the Home Office. If you are unable to apply for a passport, you must provide a reasonable explanation why. If you have not provided a passport, you may be asked to attend an appointment at a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre so your facial image and fingerprints (biometric information) can be taken as part of your application. If you have an expired BRP and have provided a valid international passport before You may be able to reuse previously submitted biometrics (fingerprint and photograph) and may not need to attend a UKVCAS service point. Reusing your biometrics will usually speed up the application process. Most applicants will be able to provide their ID documentation evidence using the ‘UK Immigration: ID check’ app as part of their UPE application. If you are required to provide your biometrics, you’ll have your identity document scanned at your UKVCAS appointment. You can upload additional evidence for free using the UKVCAS website. Assisted document scanning is also available at your appointment for an additional fee. If we request any further evidence, you’ll be notified by email and provided with instructions on how to provide the additional evidence required. If you do not have a BRP or did not provide biometric information under your current permission You may need to book an appointment to have your facial image and fingerprints (biometric information) taken at a UKVACS as part of your application. Children under the age of 5 They will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to book and attend an appointment at a UKVACS to have their digital photograph taken. Attending your appointment You’ll need to prove your identity and nationality with a valid international passport, unless you have a reasonable explanation for why you do not have one. Where you do not have a valid international passport, you may use either: a recently expired international passport, where the photo clearly resembles you a valid or recently expired Ukrainian national identity card (Passport card) that has a facial image that clearly resembles you a combination of official documents, for example a photo driving licence and birth certificate, at least one of which has a recent facial image that clearly resembles you, and establishes your: name date of birth nationality determined sex an emergency certificate issued by a Ukrainian authority since March 2022 For more information, including opening hours and appointment booking, please visit the TLS website. Applying for a child under 18 Children must be in the UK with either a: parent legal guardian close relative an adult who has taken responsibility for their care or in the care of the local authority When applying as, or on behalf of, a child under 18, you must provide the child’s full birth certificate showing their parents’ details. You’ll also be asked to provide evidence of the child’s parent’s or legal guardian’s nationality or identity document. You’ll also be asked to provide evidence of the parent or legal guardian’s immigration status, such as their eVisa share code or Unique Application Number (UAN). Depending on the child’s living arrangements, you may also be required to provide the following. Child living with legal guardian An official document, which should be notarised by the issuing country or the Ukrainian Embassy, demonstrating legal guardianship of the child. Child living with close relative Close relative means a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt (whether full blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or step-parent as per the Children Act 1989. You must provide: evidence demonstrating the relationship between the applicant and their family member written consent from the applicant’s parent or legal guardian which must include details of the parent or legal guardian, consent for the application and for the applicant’s living and care arrangements Child living with another adult (who is not a parent, legal guardian or close relative) who has day-to-day caring responsibility for them You must provide written consent from the applicant’s parent or legal guardian. This must include their details, confirmation that they consent to the application, and agreement to the applicant’s living and care arrangements. The adult with day-to-day caring responsibility for the child must to provide information in the application form to demonstrate that suitable care and accommodation arrangements are in place for the child. This includes, but is not limited to, details about the type of accommodation and details of others living at the property. The care arrangements will be reviewed as part of the application to determine whether they are satisfactory for the welfare of the child or whether they require any further consideration during the application process. If you were originally granted permission as a child under the Ukraine Schemes but are 18 or over on the date you apply for UPE, you will not be treated as a child for the purposes of the UPE application. If you are a local authority applying on behalf of a child If a child is in the care of a local authority (or health and social care trust in Northern Ireland) they should make an application on behalf of the child. This will allow the child permission to stay in the UK while their application is considered. As part of the application, the local authority will be required to provide the child’s birth certificate and nationality or identity document. If the child is not a Ukrainian national, but is relying on a Ukrainian national to be eligible for the scheme, the local authority will be required to provide evidence of that relationship. If the local authority has parental responsibility for the child, they do not need to provide the parent or legal guardian’s nationality or identity document or evidence of their immigration status. Where there is a legal order giving the local authority or health and social care trust parental responsibility for a child, that authority or trust needs to act for the child in relation for the application and provide the required consent for the application. The local authority will be required to provide a document to demonstrate that they hold parental responsibility for the child, for example a court order. If a local authority is aware of other eligible children receiving support, such as those in private fostering arrangements, but the local authority does not have personal responsibility for the child, they may want to provide the adult with day to day caring responsibility for the child to relevant support so they are able to make an application. See applying for a child under 18 for further guidance. Length of permission for children under 18 A child under the age of 18 may be granted a period of permission that matches that of a parent or legal guardian, if the parent or legal guardian: has permission to stay in the UK under the Ukraine schemes, including Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR) in some circumstances is living in the UK is living with the child and jointly or solely responsible for their day-to-day care The length of the child’s permission will be granted in line with the parent who holds the longest remaining length of permission if both parents meet all the criteria. Children who are not living with their parent or legal guardian, for example in the care of the local authority, will be granted 18 or 24 months permission under the scheme, respectively. Eligibility for living in the UK The UPE scheme allows those with existing permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes, and who need sanctuary in the UK, to apply for further permission to stay in the UK. To be eligible, you must have been living in the UK (or Islands) since you either: arrived in the UK with Ukraine Scheme permission, or leave outside the rules (LOTR) in certain circumstances were granted Ukraine Scheme permission, or LOTR in certain circumstances, in the UK were born in the UK (or Islands) to a Ukrainian national parent granted Ukraine scheme permission Short visits or holidays will generally not be regarded as living outside the UK. Time spent living in Ukraine for temporary periods (under 12 months) will also not count as living outside the UK. If you have spent temporary periods (generally, under 12 months) in other countries outside the UK or Ukraine, you’ll usually need to demonstrate evidence of ongoing ties to the UK so we can assess whether those periods are considered as living outside the UK. If you have spent longer periods (12 months or more) outside the UK, you’ll need to demonstrate your ongoing ties to the UK and the circumstances of your time spent outside the UK will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For examples of the types of evidence that might be used, see what you need to apply. Applying as the family member of a Ukrainian national If you are not a Ukrainian national, you can apply if you have been granted permission under one of the other Ukraine Schemes, or leave outside the rules in certain circumstances, as the: partner of a Ukrainian national child of a Ukrainian national parent of a Ukrainian national who was granted Ukraine Scheme permission before turning 18 years old fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of a Ukrainian national a family member granted permission in accordance with the now closed Ukraine Family Scheme a carer of a child who was granted Ukraine scheme permission If you were previously granted permission as the partner, spouse, or civil partner of a Ukrainian national, you’ll be required to submit evidence to demonstrate that you continue to be in an eligible relationship. In other circumstances, you may be contacted and asked for evidence of your family relationship to a Ukrainian national, for example a birth or marriage certificate. If you are no longer in a relationship, you may still be eligible for permission to stay in the UK or British Isles under UPE if you are the parent or legal guardian of a child who is in the UK with permission under the Ukraine Schemes, or a child who would, if they made an application, be eligible for permission under the Ukraine Schemes. Travelling outside the UK before you apply You must be inside the UK when making an application to UPE. Your application will not be valid and may be rejected if you apply from outside the UK. Apply You should only make an application to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme when your current permission has 90 days or less remaining until it expires. Start now After you have applied After you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents and biometrics (if required), the Home Office will consider your application. You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks. If your current permission expires before a decision is made on your application. You do not need to take any action, as your current permission will continue under section 3C leave. The purpose of section 3C leave is to prevent a person who makes an in-time application to extend their leave from becoming an overstayer while they are awaiting a decision on that application. Your eVisa will show the start date of your previous permission and the date that it expired. There will be some additional information underneath your National Insurance number that will confirm that you are able to stay in the UK until a decision has been made on your application and that you retain the same rights as your original permission. If you need to prove your permission to stay in the UK, you can use the view and prove service to generate a share code to give to landlords and employers to see show that you continue to have the right to work, rent and have entitlement to benefits. You should not travel outside the UK or any other part of the Common Travel Area (this includes the Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) whilst waiting for a decision on your application. If you do travel, then your application will be withdrawn and will not be considered. You’ll be notified via the email address used in your application, along with an explanation of what the decision means for you. If your existing permission expires while you are outside the UK, you must apply for entry clearance under another immigration route for which you qualify if you wish to return. You cannot apply for UPE from outside the UK. What you will get If your application is successful, your new UPE permission period will start from the date the decision was made on your application. Your eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status) will be automatically updated to show your new UPE permission. You will not need to do anything to get your updated eVisa if your application is successful. Your decision notice will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You can see it in your UKVI account. You’ll be allowed to continue to work, study, rent property (in England) and receive public funds benefits whilst you have permission under the UPE scheme. You’ll be able to prove your immigration status and conditions to others, for example employers and landlords, using the view and prove service. After you have received a decision on your UPE application, you must sign in to your UKVI account before travelling to check that your eVisa is linked to your current passport or travel document. You’ll still need to carry your current passport or travel document with you. You’ll need your eVisa to demonstrate your permission to travel to the UK. Expired BRPs can no longer be used to travel to the UK. Viewing and proving your status online You can use the view and prove service to generate a share code to give to landlords and employers to see show that you continue to have the right to work or right to rent. You’ll have digital status and will need get access to your eVisa if you have not done so already. If there are any issues with your digital status, you can contact UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI). You can report an error with your eVisa online. Updating your details You must keep your details up to date, for example if you get a new passport. Support You can get advice from an authorised immigration adviser if you need help with making an application. People who are not authorised as immigration advisers are allowed to offer technical assistance with the application form, without being regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). This means they can: explain what the form is asking for and enter the applicant’s responses help in translating the forms or guidance help the applicant understand instructions to submit documents Only IAA authorised immigration advisers can submit forms on behalf of an applicant. Unregulated advisers or organisations are not allowed to submit applications on someone else’s behalf. Read the IAA guidance on finding qualified advisers and the support available. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-to-the-ukraine-permission-extension-scheme