Visit Ukraine - Ukrainian Citizens Traveling to the United Kingdom: Entry Rules, Visa Requirements, Rules & Regulations

Do Ukrainian citizens need a visa to enter the UK?

Yes, Ukrainian citizens need a UK visa to enter the UK. The necessary information on visa application for Ukrainians under the simplified procedure is updated on this government website.

Are there any special entry conditions for temporarily displaced Ukrainian citizens who are leaving the country due to the war?

Yes, there are special conditions for temporarily displaced citizens of Ukraine who left Ukraine because of the war.

Read more about this in our section on Homes for Ukraine.

Visitor visa to the UK for Ukrainians

If you are a citizen of Ukraine and plan to travel to the UK, you should obtain a standard visitor visa in advance.

💡 Visit Ukraine's advice for Ukrainians traveling abroad

Planning a trip can be a daunting task. Where to start? What is the first step to getting a visa? It's easy to get confused at first - especially if you've never done anything like this before.

That's why we recommend using Visit World's travel guide - a detailed step-by-step guide to organizing a trip, which contains basic tips on visa obtaining, border crossing, and much more. For more details, follow the link.

Apply for a standard visitor visa

you must apply online before travelling to the UK and visiting a visa center.

You can apply 3 months before the trip.

You must meet the qualification requirements and engage only in permitted activities.

You can apply here.

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Documents and information to be submitted

You must have a passport or travel document valid for the duration of your stay in the UK. For a standard visa, your passport must have a blank page.

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You will need to provide the following information in your online application:

dates on which you plan to travel to the UK;
your places of stay during your visit;
how much do you think your trip will cost;
your current home address and how long you have lived there;
names and dates of birth of your parents (if known);
how much you earn per year (if you have an income);
details of any criminal, civil or immigration offenses you may have committed.

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Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to provide:

details of your travel history for the last 10 years;
the address and telephone number of your employer;
your partner's name, date of birth and passport number;
the name and address of anyone who pays for your trip;
the name, address and passport number of any member of your family in the UK;
a certificate confirming that you have had a tuberculosis test if you are travelling for more than 6 months.

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Identification and document submission

As part of your online application, you need to make an appointment at the visa center. Consider the time of the meeting, as the visa center may be located in another country.

British Visa Application Centers accept visa applications in particular in Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and France

Citizens who do not have valid passports can also apply for a visa at the British Visa Application Center. It is necessary to explain the reason for the lack of a passport.

You can contact the Home Office for advice at the following numbers: +44 808 164 8810 - select option 1 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK - select option 1). +44 (0) 175 390 7510.

During the meeting you need to:

confirm your identity with a passport or travel document;
give fingerprints and have a photo taken;
provide the necessary documents proving that you are entitled to a standard visa.

The Visa Application Center can keep your passport and documents during the processing of your application.

💡 Tip: To ensure a successful trip to a new country, take advantage of expert advice. Our qualified specialists with legal education will help you avoid unpleasant situations during your stay abroad.

After the consultation, you can ask us additional questions. We are interested in the complete resolution of your case. Get a full range of legal services conveniently and quickly - order a consultation right now!

What are the basic documents required to obtain a visa to the UK?

original passport;
original or scan of the previous / second international passport, if any;
personal data;
original or scanned certificate from the place of work;
original or scanned bank statement and cash flow for the last 6 months;
original or scanned marriage / divorce / birth certificates;
original or scan of property documents (apartment, car, land);
airline booking;
hotel reservation;
documents confirming the purpose of the trip.

For visa issuance, documents are required to be translated into English. The translation must be certified by the seal of a translation agency or translator.

👇🏼 Please note!

You will need health insurance to travel to the UK. The policy can be purchased on our website here.

With our health insurance package, you get access to high-quality medical care anytime, anywhere. Our policy covers a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, hospitalization, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Protect yourself from unexpected events right now. Choose insurance on our website and receive your policy by email in just a few minutes.

How long does it take to make a decision?

Once you have applied online, verified your identity and submitted your documents, you will usually receive a visa decision within 3 weeks.

You can check if you can get a visa decision faster - it depends on the country you are in.

It now takes an average of 6 weeks to decide on standard visas for visitors. Find out the visa waiting time here.

You will receive an email with a decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

What is the fee of a standard visa?

A standard guest visa costs 100 pounds for up to 6 months. If you visit the UK regularly, you can apply for a long-term standard visa instead.

You must be allowed to enter the UK before leaving for the UK.

If you have relatives who legally live in the UK, you can apply for free under the Family Assistance Program from Ukraine.
If you do not have relatives who are residents of the United Kingdom, you can apply for a visa for free under the Ukrainian sponsorship scheme ("Houses for Ukrainians").

Once your application is processed, you will receive:

official written permission (if you have a valid passport of a citizen of Ukraine), or
visa (if you visited the visa center to provide biometric data)

Based on one of these documents, you will be able to board a plane or other mode of transport to the UK.

If you do not meet the criteria for any of these schemes, you can apply for another category visa.

✅🚘 Important information for travelers from Ukraine to the UK by car

If you are planning to leave Ukraine by your own car, you should take care of obtaining a Green Card policy in advance, because without it, the car will not be allowed to cross the border. It takes a few minutes to apply for a Green Card. All you need to do is follow the link, provide the necessary data, and pay for the service.

You will need the following documents to take out insurance:

1. Passport of a citizen of Ukraine;

2. international passport;

3. car registration certificate.

❗️ Right now we have a special offer on our website: buy a green card and get fuel as a gift. Follow the link and get a policy with a gift in just a few clicks.

Long-term standard guest visas

This visa is valid for 2,5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months during each visit.

If you are under the age of 18 at the time of application, your long-term standard visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot claim a refund of the fee. You can learn more about the rules of stay in the country if you are under 18 here.

You may be granted a shorter visa period than the one requested if UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) considers that you cannot meet the requirements for the validity period of the visa you have applied for.

You will not be refunded the application fee if you receive a shorter visa or if your application is waived.

Your visa may be revoked if your travel history shows that you have lived in the UK several times over a long period of time.

What is the fee of such a visa?

Long-term standard guest visa fees:

- for 2 years - 376 pounds;

- for 5 years - 670 pounds;

- for 10 years - 837 pounds.

✅ So, to travel to the United Kingdom, please prepare the following documents:

- Passport

- Visa

- Health insurance policy

- Confirmation of sufficient funds for the trip

- Green card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad (if necessary)

Temporary protection of Ukrainians

On the border of Great Britain

If you have written permission

When you arrive in the UK, you must provide written permission to a border guard.

He will put an entry stamp in your passport, which is valid for 6 months. This stamp certifies your right to work, study and claim cash benefits in the UK.

If you have a visa

When you arrive in the UK, you will need to present your passport with a visa to a border guard.

You will then be able to obtain your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

If you import things, money or pets

You can bring most personal items into the UK without having to contact a customs official. Use the green corridor if you do not need to "declare the night".

You should contact a customs representative if you are import:

personal car
pet
goods the import of which is prohibited or restricted
cash in excess of £ 10,000 (or equivalent in another currency)

Check the procedure for importing your own car into the UK and the information requirements you must provide to a customs official.

After the first arrival in the UK

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can travel free of charge from a major international airport or port of arrival to your destination by train, city / intercity bus or light rail. Entitlement to free travel is valid for the first 48 hours after arrival in the UK.

You can apply for certain types of cash benefits, such as Universal Credit, upon arrival. To do this, you need to present a stamp in your passport. If you do not have a passport, you can use your BRP certificate or a document issued by the UK Home Office.

If you apply for Universal Credit, you will receive a National Insurance number in the event of a positive decision on your application.

If you plan to apply for other assistance, you can apply for a social security number yourself.

Accommodation in Great Britain

If you have not visited a visa center when applying for a Family Assistance Program from Ukraine or a Ukrainian sponsorship scheme, you will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) within 6 months of arriving in the UK. You will then receive a residence permit in the UK for up to 3 years.

You will receive a BRP certificate certifying your immigration status.

You can live with your family, sponsors or in your own home. If you live in your own or rented accommodation, you must register for the Municipal Tax.

Employment in the UK

If you find a job with a UK employer, you will need to provide proof of employment. To use the online service, you need a BRP ID or a UK Visa and Immigration Service (UKVI) account.

If you are unable to use the online service, you can present to your employer:

visa
passport stamp (if you have not yet applied for a BRP certificate)

You have to pay the government income tax and social security contributions. This money is usually deducted from your salary if your employer pays you.

If you are a self-employed person, you need to file a tax return every year.

If you do not work, you can get cash benefits. If you want to start working instead of receiving cash benefits, you will need to open a British bank account.

If you have children

If you have school-age children, you can

apply for placement in primary school, if the child is from 4 to 11 years old
apply for placement in high school, if the child is from 11 to 16 years old

You can get help paying for childcare services, such as paying for kindergarten or babysitting.

You can also get Child Benefit. You will receive £ 21.15 per week for the oldest or only child and £ 14 per week for each other child.

Medical Services from the National Health Service (NHS)

You need to register with an NHS doctor (so-called GP ) to receive medical care on a daily basis.

NHS services are free, including treatment at NHS hospitals. You may be asked to present your passport with a stamp or BRP certificate. You will not be charged an immigration medical fee.

Driving in the UK

You can use your Ukrainian driver's license for the first 12 months after arrival. Then you will need to replace it with a British driver's license.

The UK Government is giving you the opportunity to extend your British visa or change its type.

Up-to-date information is updated on this government website

In particular, seasonal worker visas will be extended until 31 December 2022. UK Visas and Immigration will work on this extension with the employer, as a result of which you should be informed.

You can contact the Home Office at this number: 0808 164 8810 - select option 2

You can also request an "Exclusive Warranty" at [email protected] to arrange / extend your stay in the UK with the following information:

Name.
Date of birth.
Citizenship.
Home Office, GWF or any other registration number.
Type of visa. Information on a valid British visa.
Validity of this visa.
The reason that forced you to stay in the UK (War in Ukraine).

The necessary information on this procedure is available at site. The subject of your letter should include "Request for an assurance".

Is it possible for refugees from Ukraine to cross the border without a biometric passport?

Ukrainian citizens need a British visa to enter the UK. Citizens who do not have valid passports can also apply for a visa under the established procedures (Ukraine Family Scheme; Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme) at the British visa center.

Entry to the UK is possible without a valid passport, provided that you have a British visa issued under the established procedures: Ukraine Family Scheme; Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

What should I do if my passport expires?

Citizens of Ukraine who are permanently or temporarily residing in the UK and whose passport has expired can extend its validity at the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK (London) or at the Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh.

The passport is extended by making an entry on page 2-5 of the passport "Passport validity extended until __.__.202_", which is sealed with the stamp of the Consular Section. The maximum period of passport extension is up to 5 years.

What if you have a child without a passport with you?

If a child under the age of 16 does not have a passport, information about the child (namely, a photo, name and surname, date of birth and unique number (if any) may be entered in the passport of the parent or legal guardian.

Useful information for people in need in the UK is available at these sites:

https://www.ukrainianlondon.co

https://prykhystok.in.ua/

https://www.gov.uk/asylum-support/what-youll-get

Information on the procedure for importing pets is available on this website.

People traveling in transit through the UK need a British visa.

An airport transit visa is not required if:

- person remains in the transit zone of the airport for the purpose of transfer to a regular flight on the same day until 23:59

- does not require a change of terminal, which is accompanied by a passport control

- luggage must be destined for the final destination

There are no travel restrictions for international passenger rail, air and road services.

Important information for freight carriers is available on this government website

When importing personal belongings to the UK, you usually do not need to stop or talk to a customs officer.

You can pass the customs control point (mostly through the green corridor marked as "nothing to declare", unless you arrived with one of the following:

personal vehicle;
a pet;
goods subject to restrictions and prohibitions;
£ 10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent in another currency).

There are no restrictions on the value of things you import into the UK.

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If you arrived by personal transport

You will not need to register or pay tax on your vehicle in the UK if all of the following apply to you:

you came to the UK from Ukraine;
the vehicle is registered and taxed in its country;

You will be using this vehicle in the UK for no more than 6 months.

If you become a resident or stay for more than 6 months, you must register and pay tax on your vehicle.

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If you arrived with items that are subject to restrictions and prohibitions

You should approach the red point or the red corridor at the port or airport and talk to the customs officer if you have any of the following:

controlled drugs:
offensive weapons, such as percussion knives;
self-defense sprays, such as pepper spray and CS gas (tear gas);
endangered species of animals and plants;
rough diamonds - you can import jewelry for personal use;
obscene and pornographic material, such as books, magazines, movies and DVDs;
import of meat and dairy products for personal consumption;
firearms, explosives and ammunition - you need a special permit to import these items into the UK.

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If you arrived with cash

If you arrive in the UK with £ 10,000 or more in cash (or € 10,000 or more if you are coming to Northern Ireland), or the equivalent in other currencies, you must inform the customs officer on arrival.

You do not need to:

do anything if you import less than £ 10,000 in cash (or equivalent);
pay tax or duty on cash imported into the UK.

For more information and advice on customs regulations, visit the main website of the UK's HM Revenue & Customs.

101 - police

999 - fire brigade

111 - ambulance

999 or 112 - emergency medical assistance in case of serious illness, injury, life threatening.

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