News

10.03.2022 - Digital visas for Ukrainians begin from 15 March

Home Secretary Priti Patel has promised a streamlined online visa application system for Ukrainians seeking to flee the war with Russia in response to criticism of her approach to the crisis.

She told MPs the changes will come in from next Tuesday, 15 March, following assurances from the security services that the UK can still be protected from Russian efforts to infiltrate the country by posing as Ukrainian refugees.

In particular, Ukrainian nationals with a passport or ID card will be able to apply for a visa entirely virtually, without having to visit a visa application centre outside the U...

08.03.2022 - Important update to the Ukraine Family Scheme

The new amendments come into force from today, 08 March, regarding what family members fall under the category of "Extended family members of the UK-based family member" to be able to apply under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

In particular, now an extended family member can be one of the following:

  • 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 or sister-in-law

07.03.2022 - Closure of UK Visa Application Centre in Lviv

From today and until further notice, the temporary Visa Application Centre in Lviv (Ukraine) has been suspended.

Ukraine Family Scheme visa applicants should now make their applications and submit biometrics at any UK Visa Application Centre in Poland or other countries, neighbouring Ukraine.

03.03.2022 - TB testing requirements for applicants from Ukraine cancelled

The requirements  for  a  TB  test  certificate for applicants from Ukraine have  been temporarily  waived.  

TB  test  facilities  in Kyiv, which was the only approved location in Ukraine,  are  closed  and screening for TB  cannot  reasonably  take  place  and  the relevant  certificate cannot  be reasonably obtained.

Applicants from Ukraine do not have to take a TB test in any other countries neighboring with Ukraine.

However, those nationals of Ukraine who permanently reside in another third country, for whose nationals TB test screening requirements are mandatory, must still take the test...

03.03.2022 - New relaxation of requirements for those from Ukraine

Starting from today and until further notice, those starting journey in Ukraine and towards the United Kingdom no longer need to: 

- complete a passenger locator form and 

- take a COVID-19 test before travel to the UK or book a PCR test to take on arrival in the UK.

Such measures are in force until further notice.

03.03.2022 - Announcement of the Home Office regarding issuing visas to Russian nationals

As was announced earlier by the Home Office Secretary Priti Patel on the situation in Ukraine, the UK government will bring forward amendments to visa penalty measures in the Nationality and Borders Bill, so that the Home Office can slow down and effectively stop the processing of UK visa applications submitted by nationals of Russia or any state that poses a threat to the national security or the interests of the UK allies across the world.

No more details are available as of now and we hope to receive more news on this matter in due course.

03.03.2022 - Ukraine Family Scheme

The government has decided to immediately close the Ukraine Family Scheme program for new visa applications.

This change will take effect from 19 February 2024.

Exceptions:

  • People who already have a permit to enter or stay under this scheme will continue to use this permit, despite the closure of the scheme for new applicants.
  • All applications under this scheme received before the closure of the scheme will be considered in accordance with the rules in force the day before the rules change.

Employment of Ukrainian nationals

What benefits are provided to applicants

 

02.03.2022 - British nationals and people settled in the UK will be able to bring extended family members to the UK and sponsored humanitarian visa route will be established

Thousands more Ukrainians will be welcomed to the UK as the Government continues its support for Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion.

The Prime Minister announced on 01 March an expansion to our Ukrainian Humanitarian Route, which will increase the number of people from Ukraine who are eligible to come to the UK to be reunited with their families.

As well as immediate family members, British nationals and people of any nationality settled in the UK will now be supported to bring parents, grandparents, adult children and siblings to the UK.

Normal requirements for salary or lang...

02.03.2022 - What sanctions are being imposed on Russia as of 02 March 2022?

It is the latest of a wide range of sanctions carried out against Russia by the international community, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Financial sanctions

Western leaders have frozen the assets of Russia's central bank, limiting its ability to access $630bn in international dollar reserves.

In co-ordination with the US and the EU, the UK government has also banned British people and businesses from making transactions with the Russian central bank, its finance ministry and its wealth fund.

The European Union, US, UK and allies have also agreed to remove selected Russian banks (Bank Otkrit...

02.03.2022 - Visa extensions for nationals of Ukraine who live in the UK

The Work Rights Centre reports that people whose permission is about to expire can apply for an “exceptional assurance”.

To request exceptional assurance, please write to the Home Office to [email protected] with the subject header “Request for an assurance”.

Include your full name, date of birth, nationality, Home Office reference number, type of visa, expiry date of visa, and reason for request (eg: war in Ukraine).

Exceptional assurance is essentially a promise not to remove you from the UK. It is important to be aware that it is not formal immigration permission: getting a...

← Prev Next →