- Ukrainians granted UK stay extension
- Visa extension until September 2026
- UK offers comprehensive support package
Ukrainians compelled to flee their country due to Russia’s invasion nearly two years ago will be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom until September 2026 under a new extension programme.
This programme grants an 18-month visa extension to Ukrainians who sought refuge in the UK following the Russian invasion, with the first visas set to expire in March 2025. These initial visas provided three years of leave in the UK under schemes such as Homes for Ukraine, the Ukraine Family Scheme, and the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
The Home Office has announced that those ineligible for entry under one of the visa schemes will still enjoy the same rights to employment, benefits, healthcare, and education until September 2026.
Border Minister Tom Pursglove expressed that this new visa extension programme offers Ukrainians in the UK assurance and certainty about their future as the war continues, committing to continue providing sanctuary for those fleeing the conflict.
UK’s Expansive Support for Ukrainians
The UK has welcomed Ukrainian citizens with remarkable generosity, offering them sanctuary from the war’s atrocities. Over 283,000 Ukrainians have been provided sanctuary or an extension to stay since the invasion began on February 24, 2022.
In the early months of the conflict, many Britons opened their homes to refugees, with registered sponsors who matched with a Ukrainian family or visitor receiving £350 per month for the first year and £500 per month thereafter.
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Housing and Communities Minister Felicity Buchan praised the nationwide generosity but highlighted the need for more sponsors as the number of arriving families increases. She encouraged those interested in hosting to check their eligibility and apply promptly.
The UK has also committed an £11.8 billion package of military, humanitarian, and economic assistance for Ukraine.
Individuals in the UK on an existing visa who qualify under the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme, or Leave Outside the Rules programmes will have until the end of their current visa to apply for an extension.
