Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Monday 24th February 2025

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the return of their citizens to help rebuild Ukraine when it is safe to do so. This is why the temporary Ukraine schemes do not lead to settlement.

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.

As of 17 December 2024, 267,200 visas have been issued with 218,600 (as of 16 December 2024) Ukrainians having arrived in the UK. A further 34,000 (17 December 2024) applicants have also been granted permission to remain extensions, meaning more than 252,000 Ukrainians have found sanctuary in the UK thanks to the generous Ukraine schemes.

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.

UPE is free to apply for. Individuals will be able to apply to UPE within 28 days of their current Ukraine scheme’s permission expiring. Those granted permission under the scheme will continue to receive the same rights and entitlements as the existing Ukraine schemes provide, to access work, benefits, healthcare, and education. More information on the scheme, including details around eligibility requirements and the application process, can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-stay-in-the-uk-under-the-ukraine-extension-scheme.

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme will also remain available and free of charge for any Ukrainians who wish to make a new application to come to the UK. Applications must be sponsored by someone who is British, Irish or settled in the UK. There are organisations which support matching individuals coming from Ukraine with sponsors in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-sponsor-using-recognised-providers-homes-for-ukraine.

Our offer of sanctuary through the Ukraine schemes remains temporary in nature and does not lead to settlement in the UK. This recognises the Ukrainian government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens to help rebuild Ukraine when it is safe to do so. It is important our approach respects these wishes.
  
We will, of course, continue to keep the Ukraine schemes under consistent review in line with developments in the ongoing war.

Home Office