In response to the tragic events in Ukraine, the UK government has introduced measures to help Ukrainians and their family members enter the UK.
Amendments made to the Home Office guidance covering UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals on 2 March 2022 confirmed that the Ukraine Family Scheme opens today, Friday 4 March 2022. This Scheme is initially introduced as a concession, but will then be added to the Immigration Rules via emergency changes on 15 March 2022.
The Ukraine Family Scheme has been implemented to allow extended family members of Ukrainians in the UK to obtain a visa and travel to the UK. ‘Extended family members’ includes adult parents, grandparents, children over 18 and siblings of Ukrainians already in the UK.
Extended family members can apply to the Scheme from today, Friday 4 March 2022.
All applicants must follow these steps:
The usual English language requirement and salary thresholds for Ukrainian nationals to come to the UK to be with their family members has also been removed.
Additional amendments to the guidance on 3 March confirmed that, in relation to Covid-19 requirements, where a Ukrainian national or their family member began their journey in Ukraine, they do not need to complete a passenger locator form or take a coronavirus test before travel to the UK, or book a PCR test to take on arrival.
Further amendments to the guidance are expected, and we therefore recommend that anyone who may be affected by these concessions checks the relevant UK Government web page for the most up-to-date information.
For further information on the Ukraine Family Scheme, or any visa routes, please contact a member of Ashfords’ Immigration Team.
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