Temporary protection: United Kingdom
🛰️ Varta monitors 8 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Ukraine Schemes — national legislation • there is no single national date — your own permission sets the period
Steps
- 1
Determine the scheme
If you are already in the UK on a Ukraine Scheme — apply for Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) before your status ends. New Homes for Ukraine / Family Scheme applications are closed.
📍 Online (gov.uk)⏰ Before your current status ends💳 Free - 2
Apply for UPE online
The application is free, filed online at gov.uk. You need a passport, biometrics, proof of current status. Extension — 3 more years.
📍 gov.uk💳 Free - 3
Benefits, work, NHS
The status grants work rights, Universal Credit (benefits), Child Benefit, NHS healthcare, education. Register at Jobcentre Plus for support.
📍 Jobcentre Plus / NHS💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredFor the visa.
Child’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence in Ukraine before 01.01.2022
if availableFor UPE you need residence in Ukraine as of 01.01.2022 or to be in Ukraine/UK.
TB test
if availableA TB certificate may be needed for the visa.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Name in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format DD/MM/YYYY.
Foreign passport number.
Provide your current Ukraine Scheme status.
Photo + fingerprints — at a UKVCAS centre or via the app (if available).
❌ Applying after status expiry (apply BEFORE the deadline) ❌ Wrong passport number ❌ Skipped biometrics
As in the passport.
NINo (if any); otherwise issued automatically.
Rent per the lease.
UK bank account.
❌ Applying without a UK account ❌ Incomplete housing data
Benefits
Universal Credit
Status holders without sufficient income.
How to apply: Online (gov.uk) / Jobcentre Plus
Child Benefit
Families with children.
How to apply: HMRC
Healthcare (NHS)
Status holders.
How to apply: Register with a GP
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
Home Office (online)
What happens after protection ends
After 3 years of UPE: possible switch to other categories (Skilled Worker, Family). Path to settled status (ILR) depends on the ground.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Skilled Worker visa
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Home Office (online).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Home Office (online)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme — extend in-country; new visas mostly from abroad.
🎓 Study — United Kingdom
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Home Office (online)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme — extend in-country; new visas mostly from abroad.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — United Kingdom
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Home Office (online)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme — extend in-country; new visas mostly from abroad.
🏢 Self-employment/business — United Kingdom
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Home Office (online)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme — extend in-country; new visas mostly from abroad.
🏠 Permanent residence — United Kingdom
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Home Office (online)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
8 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
Make a free online application to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme on gov.uk — the decision is made by the Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration. WHEN TO APPLY. Only when your current permission has 90 days or less remaining until it expires, and you must apply before it expires. (Since 8 April 2026 the window is 90 days rather than the previous 28 — for both a first and a second UPE application.) There is no single date that applies to everyone: check the exact expiry date in your UKVI account (eVisa). Applying early or late within that window does not cost you time — any remaining valid permission is added to your new grant. WHERE YOU MUST BE. You must be inside the UK when you apply. An application made from outside the UK is not valid and may be rejected. WHAT TO PREPARE FIRST. You need a UKVI account (eVisa) with your identity verified — via the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or, for some applicants, a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS service point. WHAT YOU GET. A first UPE grant is 18 months. When that period is coming to an end, you can apply again within 90 days of its expiry for a further 24 months. WHILE YOU WAIT FOR A DECISION. If you applied in time and your permission expires before the decision, you do not need to do anything: section 3C leave applies and you keep the same rights to work, rent and receive benefits. A decision usually comes within 8 weeks. IMPORTANT: do not travel outside the UK or any other part of the Common Travel Area while waiting — if you do, your application will be withdrawn. IF YOU ARE LATE. If you apply after your current permission has expired, then even if the application is later granted you will lose your entitlements to work, rent and receive benefits until a decision is made, and you may be required to repay public funds received in that period. Source: gov.uk, "Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme" (Home Office / UKVI). Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-to-the-ukraine-permission-extension-scheme (checked 03.09.2026).
Can I apply for Homes for Ukraine now?
No, the scheme is closed to new applicants. If you are already in the UK on a Ukraine Scheme — apply for Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE).
How long does the status last?
The scheme visa is 3 years; UPE extends it for 3 more years.
Can I work?
Yes, the status grants work rights without extra permits.
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.