Temporary visa concessions have been introduced for family members of British nationals who usually live in Ukraine

As per the temporary concession, recently introduced by the British government due to the current escalation situation in Ukraine, you can apply for a family migration visa for free, which will be valid for six months and subject to further prolongation inside the country if escalation in Ukraine does goes further, if you are the family member of a British national, who himself usually resides in Ukraine.

Your British national family member must be one of the following:

• a spouse or civil partner
• an unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
• your parent if you are under the age of 18
• your child under the age of 18
• an adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition

In order to get a temporary 6-month visa, you should personally contact UKVI before you make an application by the following contact number:

Telephone: +44 300 3032785 – select option 1 (0300 3032785 if you’re in the UK – select option 1)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5:30pm
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.

You will need to provide information about yourself and your family members, as well as contact details. UKVI will then confirm by email whether you are eligible for a family migration visa and share details of the gratis (free) application process.

If you are not eligible for a family migration visa, you will be advised to consider applying for a different visa under the standard immigration rules.

After you apply

You will need to attend an appointment at the Visa application centre in Kyiv to provide your biometric information (fingerprints).

There is a ‘keep my passport’ service available at the Visa application centre in Kyiv which allows you to keep your passport whilst your application is being processed. There is normally a fee for this service but there is currently no charge for anyone making a visa application in Ukraine.

How long it takes

UKVI aim to process family migration visa applications, or contact you about your application, within 24 hours from when you have submitted your biometrics (fingerprints) at the Visa application centre in Kyiv. The visa will then be dispatched and the Visa application centre in Kyiv will contact you to return your passport for the visa to be affixed.

Other visas

Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine (who are not immediate family members of British nationals normally living in Ukraine, or where the British national is living in the UK), can continue to make applications to visit, work, study or join family in the UK in the normal way.

Ukrainians residing in the UK

If you are in the UK on an existing visa you should continue to meet the conditions of that visa.

Any changes to visa conditions for Ukrainian nationals already in the UK will be announced separately.