The Ukraine Extension Scheme was a UK government immigration route created to support Ukrainian nationals and their family members already in the UK when the conflict in Ukraine escalated in 2022. The scheme is now closed and has been replaced by the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) from 4 February 2025.
What this article is about: This guide explains the Ukraine Extension Scheme in full — when it operated, who was eligible, what rights it granted, how it closed, and how it transitioned into the UPE. It also clarifies the settlement position. Although the scheme is now closed, the information here is preserved for historical and reference purposes.
Section A: Scheme Changes and Closure
The Ukraine Extension Scheme was announced on 29 March 2022 and came into effect on 3 May 2022. It was one of three key Ukraine-specific immigration routes alongside the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Its purpose was to allow eligible Ukrainian nationals and their family members already in the UK to remain lawfully with permission to work, access public services, and receive public funds.
The scheme closed to most new applications at 11:59 pm on 16 May 2024. After this date, only applications for certain UK-born children (born on or after 18 March 2022 to a parent with permission under a Ukraine Scheme) were accepted, until the scheme’s full closure on 4 February 2025.
From 4 February 2025, the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme replaced the UES. UPE grants eligible individuals an additional 18 months of permission to stay with the same entitlements (work, public funds, healthcare, education). Time spent under the UPE does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain and the route does not lead directly to settlement.
Read more about the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme here >>
Section Summary: The Ukraine Extension Scheme ran from May 2022 until February 2025, closing in two stages. It has been replaced by the UPE, which continues to offer temporary protection for those already in the UK under Ukraine-related schemes.
Section B: Overview of the Ukraine Extension Scheme
1. What was the Ukraine Extension Scheme?
The Ukraine Extension Scheme was a UK government immigration route that provided temporary permission for Ukrainian nationals and their family members already in the UK when the conflict in Ukraine escalated in 2022.
It complemented earlier routes such as the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, allowing those with expiring permission to extend their stay without needing to switch to another immigration category.
Eligible applicants could be Ukrainian nationals, or the family members of Ukrainian nationals, including spouses, partners, dependent children, and other dependent relatives who would be at risk if left in Ukraine.
Permission granted under the scheme came with the right to work, access to public funds, and use of the NHS. Successful applicants could stay for up to three years.
2. Purpose of the Scheme
The scheme was introduced on 3 May 2022 as part of the UK’s humanitarian response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Its aims were to:
– Allow Ukrainian nationals and their families to remain lawfully in the UK during the conflict
– Provide protection from being required to return to Ukraine while conditions remained unsafe
– Support integration into UK society by granting access to work, education, healthcare, and public funds
– Offer legal stability so families could make medium-term plans
3. Benefits of the Scheme
a. Legal Residency Status – Participants received a fixed period of lawful stay in the UK.
b. Right to Work – Permission holders could work in the UK in any role, including self-employment.
c. Access to Public Services – The scheme gave access to the NHS, schools, and other public services.
d. Social Benefits – Eligibility for certain benefits and housing support was included.
e. Security and Stability – The scheme provided certainty during a time of conflict and displacement.
Section Summary: The Ukraine Extension Scheme was a targeted humanitarian measure, designed to protect Ukrainians already in the UK and allow them to rebuild their lives temporarily with work rights, access to services, and financial support.
Section C: Eligibility Criteria
The Ukraine Extension Scheme was designed for Ukrainian nationals and their family members who were already in the UK under specific Ukraine-related immigration routes when the scheme opened in 2022.
1. Eligibility Requirements
To apply under the scheme before its closure, applicants had to meet the following conditions:
a. Current Status: Be in the UK under either the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Homes for Ukraine Scheme when applying.
b. Residence Requirement: Have been living in the UK on or before the date specified by the scheme rules, with limited exceptions for compelling circumstances.
c. Dependency: Family members had to be dependent on the Ukrainian national they arrived with, or have formed a dependent family unit while in the UK.
d. Suitability: Applicants could not have serious criminal convictions or pose a security risk.
e. Compliance: They must have complied with the conditions of their existing permission to stay.
2. Adjustments to the Eligibility Rules
During its operation, the Home Office made certain changes to the rules, including:
a. Flexibility in Residence: Allowing exceptions to the residence date requirement where travel was delayed for unavoidable reasons.
b. Extended Closure Date: The original closure date for new adult applications was extended to 16 May 2024 to give more time for eligible individuals to apply.
c. Process Improvements: Efforts were made to make the online application simpler and faster, recognising the difficulties faced by those displaced by conflict.
Section Summary: Eligibility was deliberately broad to ensure protection for Ukrainians already in the UK, but still required applicants to hold an existing Ukraine-related status, meet residence and dependency conditions, and pass suitability checks.
Section D: How to Apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme
The application process for the Ukraine Extension Scheme was handled online through the official UK government immigration portal. Although the scheme is now closed, the process below outlines how applications were made while it was active.
1. Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Check Eligibility – Applicants first confirmed they met the eligibility criteria, including status, residence, and suitability requirements.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents – This included proof of identity, evidence of UK residence, and proof of current status under a Ukraine Scheme.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application – Applications were made via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website, using the dedicated Ukraine Extension Scheme form.
Step 4: Submit the Application – All required documents were uploaded or sent as directed.
Step 5: Receive Acknowledgement – Applicants received confirmation of receipt, which they were advised to keep.
Step 6: Attend an Interview if Required – In some cases, applicants were asked to provide additional information in person.
Step 7: Receive a Decision – Decisions were communicated by email or through the application portal.
2. Supporting Documents
Typical documents required for the application included:
a. Passport or Travel Document: Proof of identity and nationality.
b. Proof of Residence: Evidence such as utility bills, tenancy agreements, or official correspondence showing current UK address.
c. Evidence of Current Status: Documents confirming leave under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
d. Proof of Dependency: Where relevant, documents showing dependency between the main applicant and family members.
e. Financial Evidence: Not always required, but sometimes requested to confirm means of support.
Section Summary: The application process was designed to be straightforward and online-based, with clear document requirements. This allowed displaced Ukrainians already in the UK to secure continued lawful status quickly and with minimal administrative burden.
Section E: Case Studies
The following real-life examples illustrate how the Ukraine Extension Scheme operated in practice and the positive impact it had for applicants before its closure.
1. Elena and Family
Elena, a teacher from Kyiv, arrived in the UK with her two children under the Ukraine Family Scheme in 2022. As their initial permission approached expiry, she applied to the Ukraine Extension Scheme. The application was approved, granting them a further three years of lawful stay.
During this time, Elena secured a teaching role at a local school and her children settled into the UK education system. She describes the scheme as a “lifeline” that provided stability, safety, and a sense of belonging while the conflict in Ukraine continued.
2. Maxim
Maxim, a software developer, arrived in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Using the Ukraine Extension Scheme, he extended his permission to remain and continued working for a UK-based technology firm.
In addition to maintaining his career, Maxim participated in local integration programmes, expanding his professional network and contributing to community projects. He emphasised the importance of having the right to work as a way to maintain financial independence and professional development.
Section Summary: These examples show how the Ukraine Extension Scheme enabled applicants to continue their lives in the UK with stability, safety, and the opportunity to contribute to their communities while unable to return to Ukraine.
Section F: Summary
The Ukraine Extension Scheme was a temporary humanitarian immigration route introduced in May 2022 to support Ukrainian nationals and their family members already in the UK. It provided lawful stay, work rights, access to public services, and eligibility for certain benefits.
The scheme closed to most applicants on 16 May 2024 and fully closed on 4 February 2025, except for limited cases involving eligible UK-born children. It has been replaced by the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE), which offers 18 months’ further leave for those already holding Ukraine-related permission.
Although the UPE continues to provide temporary protection, it does not count towards settlement and remains a time-limited immigration route.
Read more about the Ukraine Extension Scheme here.
Section Summary: The Ukraine Extension Scheme offered vital protection and stability to Ukrainians in the UK during the early years of the conflict, but it has now ended and been succeeded by the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
Section G: FAQs for the Ukraine Extension Scheme
Who was eligible for the Ukraine Extension Scheme?
Before its closure, eligibility was mainly for Ukrainian nationals and their family members already in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. From 16 May 2024 until 4 February 2025, it remained open only for certain UK-born children of parents with permission under a Ukraine Scheme.
What benefits did the Ukraine Extension Scheme offer?
It provided lawful stay in the UK, the right to work in any role (including self-employment), access to the NHS, access to education, and eligibility for certain public funds and housing support.
Can I still apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme?
No. The scheme fully closed on 4 February 2025. Eligible individuals seeking to extend their stay must now apply under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE).
Does time under the Ukraine Extension Scheme count towards settlement?
No. Time spent under the UES or the UPE does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and these routes do not lead directly to settlement.
How could applications be made when the scheme was open?
Applications were made online via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal, with supporting documents uploaded electronically.
What should I do if I missed the application deadline?
If you held permission under a Ukraine Scheme and wish to remain in the UK, you may be eligible to apply under the UPE. You should seek immigration advice promptly to ensure you do not become an overstayer.
Where can I find more guidance?
For the most up-to-date information on Ukraine-related immigration routes, visit the official UK government website or seek professional immigration advice.
Read more about the Ukraine Extension Scheme here.
Section Summary: The FAQs clarify that the Ukraine Extension Scheme is closed, outline its benefits while it was active, and explain the current replacement scheme and settlement implications.
Section H: Glossary of Terms
| Ukraine Extension Scheme (UES) | A UK government route (May 2022–Feb 2025) allowing Ukrainian nationals and their family members already in the UK to extend their stay with work rights, public funds access, and healthcare. |
| Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) | The replacement scheme from February 2025 offering an 18-month extension of stay for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission. |
| Right to Work | The legal entitlement to take employment or be self-employed in the UK without requiring additional permissions. |
| NHS (National Health Service) | The UK’s publicly funded healthcare system, free at the point of use for those with eligible immigration status. |
| Dependency | A situation where one person relies on another for financial support and/or daily care, often used in immigration eligibility tests. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent immigration status in the UK. UES and UPE do not count towards ILR. |
| Overstayer | Someone who remains in the UK without valid immigration permission after their leave has expired. |
Section Summary: The glossary defines key terms used in the Ukraine Extension Scheme and its successor, providing clarity on eligibility, rights, and settlement implications.
Section I: Additional Resources
| DavidsonMorris – Ukraine Extension Scheme | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/ukraine-extension-scheme/ |
| UK Government – Visas and Immigration | https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration |
| Apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-to-the-ukraine-permission-extension-scheme |
| NHS – Ukraine Migrant Health Guide | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ukraine-migrant-health-guide |
| Citizens Advice – Immigration Advice | https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/get-help/get-immigration-advice/ |
| Refugee Action | https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/ |
| Refugee Council | https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/ |
