Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme from 4 February 2025

At 9am on 4 February 2025, the Ukraine Extension Scheme will close and the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will open. Those with leave under the current Ukraine schemes will be able to apply for a further 18 months of leave with the same rights they currently hold. Children born in the UK to parents with leave under the schemes will also be able to use this route.

A new paragraph 39E(6) introduces provisions for periods of overstaying of up to 90 days to be disregarded where the extension application is made between 4 February 2025 and 4 August 2025.

Appendix Long Residence is being amended to make clear that time spent in the UK with leave under the Ukraine schemes cannot be counted towards settlement.

The use of open ended permission to travel letters for Ukrainians will also be ended on 18 December 2024 through minor changes to the wording at paragraph UKR 11.2. This will now refer to “must have provided biometrics when required” instead of “must have provided any required biometrics”. UKR 11.3 is also being amended along the same lines, to make clear that biometric enrolment must take place for children as well.

The Explanatory Memorandum states:

Some Ukrainians granted under the Ukraine schemes have been issued with permission to travel (PTT) letters in lieu of permission, as part of an exceptional, bespoke concession in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to allow individuals seeking sanctuary in the UK to travel quickly to safety. PTT letters were always intended to be used as part of the immediate response; it was never the intention that this temporary concession would be in place indefinitely. Therefore, these documents are being retired from use to ensure fairness with new applicants who are issued a Ukraine scheme visa.