Concessions for non-British family members of British citizens in Ukraine

Home Office introduced temporary visa concessions for family members of British nationals who usually live in Ukraine in response to the Russia invasion of Ukraine.

Under the concessions, non-British family members can apply for a family migration visa for free, provided that the British national is the applicant’s:

• spouse or civil partner;
• unmarried partner who has been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years;
• parent if the British national is under the age of 18;
• child under the age of 18; or
• adult relative who the applicant provides care for and lives together with the applicant because of a medical condition.

How to apply?

Applicants who satisfy the above requirements can contact UKVI before making an application. Your Eligibility will be confirmed after providing the information to the UKVI, the staff will also share details of the free application process.

Eligible family members can apply through the new, temporary location in the Lemberg Business Centre in the city of Lviv or a UK visa Application Centre (VAC) in a nearby country to give their biometrics including:

• Poland
• Romania
• Hungary
• Moldova

Documents should be uploaded online before attending the VAC appointment or at the appointment. Alternatively, you can have your documents uploaded at the VAC however there is a fee for uploading documents at the VAC.

Applicants may worry that they are not eligible because they cannot meet the English language requirement or minimum income requirement. Under the imminent threat, UKVI will consider an alternative grant of leave to come to the UK. Home office also understands that applicants may be unable to provide all documents required, a sufficient and reasonable explanation should be provided if it is the case. Given the current circumstances, if somebody does not meet these requirements, UKVI will consider an alternative grant of leave to come to the UK.

Ukrainians in the UK

Concessions are also extended to the Ukrainian nationals who are unable to return in the UK currently. The Home Office allows them to extend their visa or switch to another visa if their existing visas are due to expire, which does not allow to do so normally. Here are some details on switching the visas:

– Visitor visa is allowed to switch into a points-based route or a family visa route, associated visa fee has to be paid

– People holding a Skilled Worker visa can apply to extend or apply for settlement if they meet the Immigration Rules

– Student visa holders can be extended or switch to Graduate visa if the Immigration Rules are met

– People holding a seasonal worker can extend their visa to 31 December 2022, but they have to continue working in a job permitted by the Seasonal Worker route, with the same sponsor. UKVI will work on the visa extension with their sponsors, no action has to be taken. People under this category will receive a notification from Home Office if they are covered in concession.

– HGV driver visa holders are in the same situation of seasonal workers, while pork butcher visa holders require to request a temporary extension if they need.

UKVI contact details

People who need assistance can contact UKVI via:

Telephone: +44 300 3032785 / 0300 3032785
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.

Asylum Claim

Change of policy on taking the refugees in Ukraine has not been announced formally, however, its policy may change when there is an escalation on the fighting, or persecution or serious harm appeared from military conscription of Ukraine government. Sincere Immigration will keep an eye on the relevant policy changes and update this page accordingly.

SINCERE IMMIGRATION