A Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules has been published by the UK Home Office on 29th March.

It brings the Ukrainian Family Scheme launched on the 4th March and the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme launched on the 18th March into the Immigration rules and announces a new route, the Ukrainian Extension scheme, to commence on the 3rd May 2022.

Kevin Foster MP, Minister for Safe and Legal Migration, made a statement about the changes and announcing the new route - which will enable a Ukrainian national and their partner and children who had permission to stay in the UK on 18th March 2022 or which had expired since 1st January 2022 to apply to stay under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

The full explanatory statement can be read here.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

  • The requirements for permission to stay include that the applicant must be in the UK. The applicant must have had permission to enter or stay in the UK on 18 March 2022, unless they were in the UK with permission to enter or stay immediately before 1 January but that permission has since expired; or they are a child born in the UK after 18 March 2022. The Rules do not state permission as a visitor does not count as permission for the purpose of this requirement.
  • Applicants must be either a Ukrainian national, a person who has or last had permission as a partner or child of a Ukrainian national, or a child of a Ukrainian national born in the UK after 18 March 2022.
  • A person who had such permission as a Ukrainian national’s married, civil or durable partner or child can also stay in the UK under this route.
  • A child born in the UK must provide a full UK birth certificate.
  • Relevant refusal and cancellation grounds in Part 9: Grounds for Refusal will apply, including criminality provisions.
  • A person granted under these schemes will be granted permission for up to 36 months with the right to work, study and access to public funds.
  • A person will be able to re-apply if their application is refused and will not be required to pay a fee.

If you have a query relating to the visa schemes for Ukrainian citizens or need assistance with any other aspect of immigration law please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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