⚡ New from 8 April 2026: The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme now offers a second 24-month extension (cumulative up to 54 months / 4.5 years). The application window has been extended from 28 to 90 days before visa expiry. All extensions are free.
⏱️ Your journey in the UK
Initial visa
18 mo
Homes for Ukraine from Feb 2024
UPE #1
+18 mo
First extension
UPE #2 (new)
+24 mo
Available from 08.04.2026
Total: up to 54 months (4 years 6 months) of legal residence in the UK. All extensions are free, with no Immigration Health Surcharge.
📖 Main topics
✅ Your rights in the UK
💼 Work — full rights from day 1
No 12-month waiting period like asylum seekers. You can work as employed, be self-employed, or open a company. Employers will check your share code via UKVI account.
- National Insurance Number — automatic with your first job
- Self-employment — free HMRC registration
- Minimum wage, holidays, sick pay — under UK law
💷 Benefits — immediately, no conditions
The Homes for Ukraine visa grants recourse to public funds from day one. All main benefits are available:
- Universal Credit (UC) — basic support for housing and living
- Child Benefit — for each child
- HC2 certificate — free prescriptions, dentist, glasses
- Pension Credit — for pension age
- DLA / PIP — for disability
✅ Claiming benefits will not affect your right to remain in the UK under HfU or UPE.
🏥 NHS — free healthcare
All Ukrainians on HfU have full NHS access from day one, including:
- GP (family doctor) — free registration, no status documents needed
- Hospital care, surgery, pregnancy, childbirth
- Mental health support (NHS talking therapies)
- Dentistry (NHS rates — cheaper or free with HC2)
🎓 Education
Children under 18 — school is free and mandatory. Adults — ESOL courses (free English) at local colleges. University — as home student (England: standard tuition, no international rates).
❓ Frequently asked questions
📋
When should I apply for UPE extension?
▼
From 8 April 2026 the application window is 90 days before visa expiry (was 28 days). Applying earlier will be refused. Applying after expiry risks becoming an overstayer. Optimal: 60-90 days before your visa expiry date on eVisa.
💷
How much does extension cost?
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£0 — free. All UPE extensions are free of visa fees and IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge). This is UK government policy for Ukrainians.
👨👩👧
Can I bring family to the UK?
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Ukraine Family Scheme closed on 19 February 2024. New family reunion applications follow general rules (Spouse visa, Child visa). Exception: if you arrived alone and family remained, you may be able to add dependants to your UPE application.
🏠
What if my host refuses to continue?
▼
This happens in
8,000+ cases in the UK. Your first steps: contact Migrant Help (
0808 801 0503), approach your local council as homeless, contact Refugees at Home for re-matching. Full guide →
Host problems.
⏰
What happens after 4.5 years? Settlement?
▼
Ukraine Scheme
does not lead to ILR (permanent residence). After 54 months you must switch to another visa route (Spouse, Skilled Worker, Student) or return to Ukraine. Real options →
What after 4.5 years.