- Settled UK's Ukraine visa schemes. Advice FAQs

Ukraine Family Scheme

The Ukraine Family scheme was one of three new visa schemes
introduced by the UK government following the latest Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Government guidance for the Ukraine Family scheme is here. This contains the most up-to-date information, and has a Ukrainian translation.

Please click on the guidance boxes below for Settled’s practical summaries and answers to frequently asked questions.

1. Who can be a sponsor?

British citizens
People with ILR
Anyone settled in the UK (i.e. someone with Indefinite Leave To Remain, or Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme)
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechenstein, Norway or Switzerland with Pre-Settled status under the EUSS
Refugee or HP status to join them, (Ukrainians who came under the Ukraine scheme are not refugees or persons with HP) provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

You can sponsor your family member if you are one of the following, and can provide evidence of your identity:

British citizen – should submit copy of their passport, which may include a recently expired passport
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with settled status – should submit either the ‘something else’ purpose ShareCode, which starts with an ‘S’, alongside their date of birth; or a copy of the letter which was sent to them when their application was granted
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with pre-settled status – who were living in the UK before 01/01/2021, should submit either the ‘something else’ purpose ShareCode, which starts with an ‘S’, alongside their date of birth; or a copy of the letter which was sent to them when their application was granted
Non-EEA family members with settled status – or with pre-settled status and living in the UK before 01/01/2021 – should submit either a copy of their biometric residence card (BRC), front and back; or the document-number they used to register their online status along with their date of birth
Holders of Humanitarian Protection or Refugee status in the UK – should submit a copy of both sides of their biometric residence permit
Holders of other forms of immigration leave – such as non-EU citizens with ILR – should submit a copy of both sides of their biometric residence permit

2. Which family members can I sponsor?

You can sponsor a family member in one of the following relationships:

Immediate family (at least one of whom must be Ukrainian):

spouse, civil partner or fiancé(e), relationship having started before 1st January 2022
a partner who has been living together with you in a relationship akin to a marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years prior to the date of application
child under 18 years (yours or your partner’s child)
parent (yours or your partner’s parent)

Extended family. This could be a:

child 18 years or over (yours or your partner’s child)
grandparent (yours or your partner’s grandparent)
grandchild (yours or your partner’s grandchild)
sibling (yours or your partner’s sibling)
aunt or uncle
cousin
niece or nephew

Immediate family of an extended family member. This could be a:

spouse, civil partner, or fiancé(e) of an extended family member, the relationship having started before 1st January 2022
a partner who has been living together with the extended family member in a relationship akin to a marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years prior to the date of application
child of an extended family member, aged under 18 on the date of application
parent of a child aged under 18 on the date of application who is an extended family member
fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of an extended family member, relationship having started before 1st January 2022

3. Who cannot be a sponsor under the Ukraine family scheme?

Strictly speaking, the scheme does not cover migrants who have temporary immigration permission to be in the UK (other than EU pre-settled status who were in the UK before 01/01/2021). For example:

if you are on a Skilled Worker or spouse visa, you cannot sponsor family under the scheme
if you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen with pre-settled status – who was granted pre-settled status as a Joining Family Member

It may be possible for Ukrainians on temporary visas to sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme but they will not be able to do so under the Ukraine Family Schemes.

4. What evidence of relationship do I need to upload?

The best evidence will be an appropriate certificate issued by a relevant authority, for example:

a marriage or civil partnership certificate for a partner
birth or adoption certificate for a parent or child
joint tenancy agreements
digital versions or copies of the evidence will be accepted.

All documents should be provided with a translation into English.

5. What if I don’t have evidence of my relationship with my sponsor?

If you are unable to provide evidence of your family relationship with your sponsor you should upload a letter explaining your personal circumstances. The Home Office caseworkers have the discretion to consider the circumstances of your application and any reasonable explanation for a lack of evidence.

6. Can I apply as the family member of an extended family member?

You can apply as an immediate family member of an extended family member, but the extended family member must be applying at the same time; or have been granted under the scheme. Please note that the extended family member must be applying at the same time, even if he/she is not planning to enter the UK with you.

7. How can I get further advice?

Settled provides free advice on all three UK visa schemes for Ukrainians.

We are a trustworthy charity, accredited by the government’s Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to level 3. Our team speaks Ukrainian and English.

Please contact us in your preferred language: [email protected]