Grant automatic visa extension and ILR for Ukrainians after 5 years

Since Feb 2025, Ukrainians and their eligible family members in the UK have been able to apply for further permission to remain for up to 18 months. We would like the extensions to be automatic and for the Government to set out a path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Ukrainians.

In March 2022, many Ukrainians were offered 3-year visas, due to expire in March 2025.

We're concerned that applications for extension can only be made when a visa has 28 days or less until expiry. Early applications risk rejection.

It's been reported that processing the extension can take 8 weeks. We think it creates uncertainty.

There is no clarity on options after the 18 months. The years many Ukrainians have spent here should count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years, as it does for any other humanitarian route.

The UK’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast and, together with our partners and allies, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and condemn the Russian government’s unprovoked and premeditated war. The Government strongly believes Ukraine will be safe again and we will continue to support the Ukrainian government for as long as it is necessary in its efforts against Putin.

We are proud that the British people have shown incredible generosity to, and solidarity with, the Ukrainian people, opening their homes to those seeking sanctuary. To date, the UK has offered or extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families under one of the three Ukraine schemes - the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

To provide future certainty, Ukrainians who are in the UK under the Ukraine schemes will be able to apply for further permission to remain in the UK through a bespoke Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme. The new route, which opened on 4 February 2025 before the first visas started to expire, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission, ensuring Ukrainians in the UK can continue to move into independent living and secure rental agreements and employment contracts.

This is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. For instance, those who are currently in the UK with permission under the Homes for Ukraine scheme will have UPE permission after their application is successful, they will not have time added to their existing Homes for Ukraine visa.