Introduction
Are you a Ukrainian citizen worried about your visa expiring in the UK? This guide will help you understand your options for extending your stay or switching to a different visa. With various pathways available, including the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, you can find the right solution for your situation. If you need assistance navigating these complex legal matters, Contend offers the easiest legal help in the UK. Our highly trained AI legal experts are here to guide you through the process and help you resolve your legal concerns with confidence.
If you’re from Ukraine and your visa is about to expire, you may be feeling uncertain about your options for staying in the UK. Fortunately, there are several ways you can extend your stay or switch to a different visa. Here’s what you need to know.
If You Have a Visa Under Ukraine Schemes
If you hold a visa from one of the Ukraine schemes, such as the ‘Homes for Ukraine’, ‘Ukraine Family’, or ‘Ukraine Extension’ schemes, you can apply for an extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. This allows you to stay in the UK for an additional 18 months.
When to Apply
You can submit your application up to three months before your current visa expires. However, keep in mind that time spent in the UK under these schemes will not count towards gaining indefinite leave to remain.
Other Options
If you’re looking for alternatives, you might also consider:
- Applying for the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
- Switching to a different visa, such as a skilled worker visa or partner visa. Be sure to check your eligibility for these visas and prepare to pay the required fees. You can find more details on available visas here.
If You Have a Different Type of Visa
If you’re on a different visa, check if you can extend it. This could help your time in the UK count towards indefinite leave to remain.
If an extension isn’t possible, you can explore these options:
- Apply to switch to a Ukraine Extension Scheme visa.
- Switch to a work or study visa.
- Claim asylum if no other options are available.
If your visa has already expired, don’t worry. You still have some options:
Options After Visa Expiry
- Ukraine Extension Scheme Visa: You can apply if your visa ended on or after January 1, 2022. You must submit your application by May 16, 2024.
- Extend or Switch Visa: If your visa expired within the last 14 days, you can still apply for an extension or switch to a different visa. You’ll need to explain why you’re applying late, and the Home Office will consider your reasons.
- Claim Asylum: You can claim asylum at any time, regardless of when your visa expired.
How to Apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme Visa
To apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme Visa, you must be in the UK and have had permission to stay that ended on or after January 1, 2022. The application is free, and it must be submitted by May 16, 2024. If you have children born in the UK after March 18, 2022, you can apply for them after this date.
Eligibility
You can apply if you are a Ukrainian citizen or if your partner is a Ukrainian citizen and you were granted permission to stay as their partner. Your partner must be:
- Your husband, wife, or fiancé(e).
- Your civil partner or proposed civil partner.
- Any partner you’ve lived with for at least two years.
Rights Under the Extension Scheme
If granted the extension scheme visa, you can stay in the UK for 18 months. You will have the right to work, study, and claim benefits, but this visa does not provide a pathway to permanent residency.
For Those Under 18
If you’re under 18 and a Ukrainian citizen, you can apply if at least one of your parents is a Ukrainian citizen and you had permission to stay in the UK. If your parent is applying, they can include you in their application. If they aren’t applying, they need to give you written permission unless there are valid reasons for not being able to do so.
Switching to a Work or Study Visa
If you were legally in the UK before February 24, 2022, or applied to enter the UK before that date, you may find it easier to switch to a work or study visa. You can usually switch without leaving the UK, but you must qualify for the visa and pay the fees.
Important Note
When applying, make sure to ask the Home Office to apply a concession that allows you to switch without leaving the UK due to the conflict in Ukraine. You can mention this request in your application or include a letter explaining your situation.
For more information on work visas, visit this link, and for study visas, check here.
Claiming Asylum
If you have no other options to stay in the UK, you can claim asylum. For guidance on the asylum process, consider trying Contend’s legal expert chat for personalized assistance. Contend’s highly trained AI legal experts will work with you to provide guidance and help you understand and resolve your legal problems.
Navigating visa issues can be overwhelming, but understanding your options is the first step toward finding a solution. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.
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