Family Migration Visa for family members of British nationals living in Ukraine
Following the current geo-political crisis in Ukraine, the Home Office announced the introduction of a new concession for family members of British citizens to enter the UK.
This concession which was published on 17th February 2022 allows eligible family members to apply for entry clearance to the UK free of charge under the Family Migration visa route.
Who is eligible?
If you are in Ukraine, you can apply to enter the UK if you have a British national family member, who is your:
- spouse or civil partner
- your unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- your parent if you are under the age of 18
- your child under the age of 18
- An adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition
What is the application process?
Step 1:
Applicants must first contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in order to provide them with information about themselves, their family members, as well as provide contact details.
UKVI is contactable at:
Telephone: +44 300 3032785 – select option 1 (0300 3032785 if you’re in the UK – select option 1)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5:30pm
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.
Step 2:
Once contact has been made and the required information has been provided, UKVI will then confirm whether an applicant is eligible for the family migration visa concession and will only then share the details of how to apply for free.
Step 3:
After the application has been submitted, applicants will be invited to attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) where they will be required to submit their biometric information (fingerprints).
Supporting documents can also be uploaded to assist and support an application. This can either be uploaded prior to the application or at the centre on the day. There is, however, a fee for uploading the documents at the VAC.
Similarly, the VAC in Kyiv is offering the “keep my passport” service free of charge. This allows applicants to attend their biometric appointment and keep their passport until a decision has been made on their application. Normally, there would have been a fee for this service.
The Home Office have announced that anyone whose passport is currently at the VAC in Kyiv because they are awaiting a decision on an existing application, can collect their passport for no additional fee. You are advised to contact the VAC to arrange collection.
What is the application processing time?
The Home Office have stated that they aim to process these visa applications or contact the applicants about their application within 24 hours from when they have submitted their biometric information.
Successful applicants will then have their visa dispatched and the VAC will contact them to return their passport in order for the visa to be affixed.
Once the visa has been affixed, applicants are then able to travel to the UK.
What if you are not eligible for the family migration visa?
Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine, who aren’t immediate family members of British nationals normally living in Ukraine, or where the British national is living in the UK, can continue to make an application to visit, study, or join family in the UK in the normal way and are advised to explore which visa is available to them through the UK government website.
What if you have compelling and compassionate reasons?
If you need to travel to the UK urgently for compassionate reasons, you are advised to apply for a visa in the usual way and include clear compelling or compassionate reasons for your visit in your application.
Ukrainian nationals in the UK
For those Ukrainian nationals who are presently residing in the UK, you are advised to continue to meet the conditions of your visa.
If you have any questions regarding your immigration status or require assistance, UKVI can be contacted from within the UK as follows:
Telephone: 0300 3032785 – select option 2
Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:45pm
Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:30pm
This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.