Ця сторінка також доступна українською мовою
On 19 February 2024, the UK government announced important changes to the Immigration Rules and policies relating to the Ukraine Schemes (see Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 556, 19 February 2024).
Here, KIND UK sets out the key changes resulting from government’s announcement. This update was prepared by Cynthia Orchard, Consultant Policy Advisor, KIND UK.
We recommend that those adversely affected by any of these changes seek expert legal advice.
KIND UK continues to offer free legal advice and assistance for a limited number of children, young people, and families from Ukraine who are seeking to come to the UK or remain in the UK under the Immigration Rules, or in some cases, on an exceptional basis. We are not able to assist with applications for asylum or humanitarian protection. See here for more information.
Key changes:
- People who have leave to remain in the UK under one of the UK’s Ukraine Schemes will be able to apply for further leave to remain under a new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) up to 3 months before their leave to remain expires, to remain in the UK for up to an additional 18 months. The first Ukraine scheme visas will expire from March 2025, so applications under the new UPE should be able to start from December 2024. Details about the UPE Scheme are not yet published.
- The Ukraine Family Scheme is closed to new applicants as of 19 February 2024. This means that new applications to come to the UK can only be made under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. All applications under the Family Scheme that were received before the closure of the scheme should be decided under the previous rules for that scheme. (See 5.9 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (publishing.service.gov.uk).
- The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme will continue to function, but new applicants will be granted 18 months leave to remain (rather than 3 years leave to remain).
- Amended criteria for sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme mean that, unless there is a successful challenge, for applications submitted after 3pm on 19 February 2024, sponsors must have British or Irish citizenship, settled status or indefinite leave to remain in the UK. See Guest eligibility, application process and checks: Homes for Ukraine – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (updated 19 February 2024); and Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament (19 Feb 2024).
- The Ukraine Extension Scheme will close for most new applicants on 16 May 2024 (as previously planned); but applications can still be made under this Scheme after 16 May 2024 for children born in the UK to parents who have permission under one of the Ukraine Schemes. Such children can be granted leave in line with their parent(s). See Ukraine Extension Scheme (publishing.service.gov.uk) (updated 19 Feb 2024), pp 8-9.
- There are some new grounds for refusal under the Ukraine schemes, including previous breaches of immigration laws and failure to provide required information.
Additional information:
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO THE STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION RULES (publishing.service.gov.uk) (19 Feb 2024)
Ukraine Extension Scheme (publishing.service.gov.uk) (updated 19 Feb 2024)
Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament (19 Feb 2024)
Guest eligibility, application process and checks: Homes for Ukraine – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (updated 19 February 2024)
Statement of changes HC 556: Home Office shuts Ukraine Family Scheme without notice – Free Movement (19 Feb 2024)
Twitter thread by Work Rights Centre: https://x.com/WORCrights/status/1759631232436994398?s=20 (19 Feb 2024)
Twitter thread by Barrister Jennifer Blair https://x.com/SqueakinglyJen/status/1759534611233710501?s=20 (19 Feb 2024)
Ukrainians can extend UK visas by 18 months in new scheme | Refugees | The Guardian (18 Feb 2024)
Ukraine visa scheme closure ‘appalling’, SNP MP says | The National (20 Feb 2024)
Update on the future of the Homes for Ukraine scheme – Reset (resetuk.org) (21 Feb 2024)
Changes To Ukraine Visa Schemes Could Spark Legal Challenges (politicshome.com) (23 Feb 2024)
