Future plans for Ukrainians in the UK are no longer just a distant prospect — now is the time to make a decision. Visas have expiry dates, and there is no automatic route to permanent residency. Find out which visa routes actually lead to permanent residency
Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad
For thousands of Ukrainian families who have found refuge in the UK, the time has come to make some of the most important decisions of their lives. Temporary residence permits are not open-ended, and there has been no government promise of a new ‘permanent visa’ for Ukrainians. Real choices need to be made today to avoid losing legal status in the future.
It is important to view the situation realistically: most Ukrainians are in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme. All of these grant the right to live, work, study and use healthcare services (NHS), but none of these schemes leads directly to permanent residence.
Under UK law, permanent status is known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — the right to remain in the country without time limits. It is important to remember the key rule: time spent in the UK under the ‘Ukrainian’ schemes does not count towards the length of residence required to obtain ILR. Unlike standard work or family visas, there is simply no automatic transition to permanent status here.
Unsure what to do in your situation? Contact Visit Ukraine’s lawyers and get answers to all your questions.
What does the visa extension scheme for Ukrainians (UPE) offer in 2026?
As of 2026, the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) is in force in the UK. This scheme allows those already in the country to extend their stay. Initially, it granted 18 months; the government then added a further 24 months, meaning that, in total, you can stay under this route for up to three and a half years. You can apply for an extension 90 days before your current permit expires.
This is good news, as it provides some breathing space, but it does not guarantee permanent status. For most families, 2026–2027 will be a critical period when they need to plan their transition to standard UK immigration routes.
Work visas to the UK for Ukrainians
The most logical and common route for those already employed in the UK is to switch to a Skilled Worker visa. However, this route requires careful preparation.
The main requirement is having an employer with a sponsorship licence who is willing to issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship. Your role must be on the list of eligible occupations, and the minimum salary for most roles is currently £41,700 per year.
For healthcare workers and carers, there is a simplified route — the Health and Care Worker visa. The salary threshold here is significantly lower and can start from £25,000, depending on the specific role.
The strategic value of a work visa lies in the fact that after 5 years of working as a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker, you gain the legal right to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). If your current employer values you but does not yet have a licence, you need to start discussing how to obtain one right away. The process of obtaining a sponsorship licence takes a long time, and postponing it until the final month of your current visa is extremely risky.
Family visa to the UK: settling through a partner or spouse
If you have a partner, spouse, parents or children with British citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you can settle via the family route. Most Ukrainians apply for status through their spouse or partner.
The main hurdle here is the financial requirement: the minimum combined income for a couple in 2026 for most new applications is £29,000 per year. The UK immigration system also rigorously checks the authenticity of your relationship. You will need to provide documentary evidence of cohabitation, shared finances and regular communication. This is a bureaucratically complex process, but if the relationship is genuine, it is entirely feasible to compile the necessary documentation.
Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
Student visas and visas for talented individuals: who are these routes suitable for
Studying in the UK is a great way to change your field of study, but it is important to understand that a Student visa does not in itself lead to permanent residency. To obtain one, you need to be enrolled at an accredited university, have English language proficiency (usually at B2 level) and proof of sufficient funds for living expenses (approximately £1,529 per month for London). After completing your studies, you can obtain a Graduate visa for 18–24 months to find a sponsored job and switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
For highly qualified professionals, there are niche but viable options. The Innovator Founder visa is designed for those ready to launch their own business with the support of an approved organisation. The Global Talent visa route is open to recognised or promising specialists in science, IT and the arts who can obtain an endorsement of their qualifications from relevant British institutions.
Should Ukrainians seek political asylum in the UK
In theory, applying for refugee status (Asylum) is possible, but in practice it is an extremely difficult process. The British asylum system is not tied to the fact of war in the country of origin, but to individual persecution.
You will have to prove that you personally face a mortal danger for specific reasons (political, religious, national). The argument ‘there is a war in my country’ is insufficient from a legal standpoint. For people who already have humanitarian status, attempting to seek asylum will be an unpredictable and stressful process, which should only be considered in exceptional personal circumstances, and you must consult a solicitor.
How to prepare for a change in status right now
At the end of 2025, the UK government began discussing a reform of the permanent residency process, which involves increasing the basic residence period to 10 years instead of the current five. This means the rules may become stricter, and it is not worth delaying the transition to standard visas.
Waiting for a special decision from the government is a high-risk strategy.
Instead, it is worth taking a pragmatic approach:
Find out the exact expiry date of your current permit and count back 90 days from that date — this is your window for submitting your application. Assess your chances of obtaining a work visa: discuss your prospects and sponsorship with your employer. If you are applying as a family, start gathering evidence of cohabitation today. Prepare a basic set of documents in advance: take language tests, gather employment contracts, proof of income and diplomas. If your situation is unusual, invest time and money in consulting a licensed immigration lawyer — this will help you avoid critical mistakes.
Based on materials from Relocate.
Moving abroad and document processing are often accompanied by complex rules and changes in legislation. A migration lawyer helps to avoid mistakes, properly prepare documents and go through all stages – from planning a move to obtaining permits or visas.
Visit Ukraine specialists provide Ukrainians with comprehensive support: consultations, support and turnkey solutions for various migration situations.
Contact a Visit Ukraine migration lawyer to quickly and safely resolve all issues related to moving abroad!
Reminder! Ukrainians abroad will soon have a new, convenient way to obtain passports without having to make repeated trips to the consulate. Find out how the service via VFS Global will work, in which countries it is available, and what will change for citizens.
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:Â
Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.
All rights reserved.