Rules for entering the UK for Ukrainians
How to obtain a visa to England (United Kingdom) for Ukrainians in 2026
In most cases, Ukrainian citizens need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa — a tourist or guest visa for a short stay of up to 6 months — to travel to Great Britain.
This is the visa they apply for when traveling to London, visiting friends or relatives, and for short trips.
💡 It is recommended to submit your documents 2–3 months before your planned trip.
How to apply for a visa to the UK?
Ukrainian citizens can apply for a visa online on the official website of the UK government. To do this, you will need to fill out a form, pay the visa fee, and make an appointment at the visa center to submit your biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
How do I fill out the UK visa application form?
- Go to the official website and select the visa type (e.g., Standard Visitor visa)
- Create an account on the UK Visas and Immigration website
- Fill in your personal details and passport information
- Indicate the purpose of your trip, travel dates, and where you will be staying in the UK
- Provide information about your employment, income, and financial situation
- Provide your travel history and details of previous visas
- Answer additional questions (security, immigration history)
- Upload the required documents or prepare them for submission at the visa application center
- Pay the visa fee online
- Select a date and time to submit your biometric data
- Confirm your application and save it
👉 After completing the application form, you must visit the visa center to submit your biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
Processing times:
Typically, a decision on a tourist visa is made within up to 3 weeks (approximately 15 business days) after submitting your biometric data. In some cases, processing times may vary; expedited processing services are also available for a fee.
For more details on visa requirements and the application process, please visit the official website of the UK government.
Documents and information to be submitted
You must have a biometric foreign passport (to apply for a visa online) or a regular passport (in which case the visa application must be submitted in person at a British visa center in any country), valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK. For a standard visa, your passport must have a blank page.
In your online application, you will need to provide the following information:
- the dates you plan to travel to the UK;
- where you will be staying during your visit;
- how much you think your trip will cost;
- your current home address and how long you have lived there;
- the 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;
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;
- the name, date of birth, and passport number of your partner;
- the name and address of anyone paying for your trip;
- the name, address, and passport number of any family members in the UK;
- proof that you have had a tuberculosis test if you are visiting for more than 6 months.
Help with applying for a visa to England: consultation or turnkey support
Applying for a visa is not a lottery, but a clear legal process in which every detail is important. If you are planning a trip to England — for study, work, treatment, or just to see the Tower — a mistake in the application form or missing documents can cost you your visa.
Whether you are applying for the first time or have already been refused, a lawyer's assistance will help you prepare your application form and documents correctly. Don't take any chances — get advice or full support from a specialist lawyer at Visit Ukraine with over 5 years of experience, who will:
- assess your chances of obtaining a visa;
- select the optimal type of visa (tourist, student, work, etc.);
- help you gather documents without unnecessary stress;
- prepare you for an interview at the visa center or consulate;
- monitor every step until you receive your visa in your passport!
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- Consultation up to 30 minutes – we will quickly answer all your questions about visas online. Ideal if you need to get your bearings in the situation.
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Identity verification and document submission
As part of your online application, you need to make an appointment at the visa center. Allow time for the appointment, as the visa center may be in another country. British visa centers accept visa applications in Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and France
💡 Important: Citizens who do not have valid foreign passports can also apply for a visa at a British visa center. In this case, you must explain the reason for not having 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 appointment, you will need to:
- confirm your identity with your passport or travel document;
- have your fingerprints taken and your photograph taken;
- provide the necessary documents confirming that you are eligible for a standard visa.
What are the main documents required to obtain a visa to the UK?
- Original foreign passport;
- Original or scan of previous/second foreign passport, if any;
- Personal details;
- Original or scan of certificate from place of employment;
- Original or scan of bank statement and transaction history for the last 6 months;
- Original or scanned copies of marriage/divorce/birth certificates;
- Original or scanned copies of property documents (apartment, car, land);
- Airline ticket reservations;
- Hotel reservations;
- Documents confirming the purpose of the trip.
To apply for a visa, you need translations of your documents into English. The translation must be certified with the seal of a translation agency or translator.
The visa center may keep your passport and documents while your application is being processed. They can also provide a document for obtaining your passport if your visa is approved.
⚠️ When processing applications for British tourist visas, the logic of the trip and ties to the country of residence are now being checked more carefully.
In practice, even minor inaccuracies in the application form or documents can lead to a request for additional information or a refusal.
👉 Legal support helps you avoid common mistakes when applying for a visa and increases your chances of a positive decision. Order assistance with applying for a visa to the UK.
How long does it take to make a decision on issuing a visa to the UK?
Once you have submitted your application online, confirmed your identity, and provided your documents, you will usually receive a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You can check whether you can get a faster visa decision — it depends on the country you are in.
Currently, it takes an average of 6 weeks to make a decision on standard visitor visas. Find out the waiting time for a visa here.
You will receive an email with the decision on your application. It will explain what you need to do next.
💡 Helpful tip: Prepare for a personal trip to the visa center with your biometric passport, as the visa is affixed directly to your passport. Please note that such centers are currently not operating in Kyiv, so you will have to travel to Warsaw, Prague, or other cities.
To make this process easier, you can use the services of visa agencies, which, for an additional fee, will send your passport to the center and return it with the visa ready (within 7 days).
Also, remember that after the visa is affixed, it becomes valid in a month, so plan your trip in advance.
The cost of a standard British visa in 2026
A standard visitor visa costs £127 for a period of up to 6 months. If you visit the UK regularly, you can apply for a long-term standard visa instead.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive:
- an official written permit (if you have a valid Ukrainian passport), or
- a visa (if you visited a visa center to provide biometric data)
With one of these documents, you can board a plane or other form of transport to the UK.
💡 Please note!
To travel to the United Kingdom, you will need health insurance, regardless of whether you are traveling from Ukraine or other countries. You can purchase insurance on our website by following the link.
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 doctor consultations, hospitalization, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation. Protect yourself from unexpected events now. Choose insurance on our website and receive your policy by email in just a few minutes.
To travel to the UK, please have the following documents ready:
- Valid biometric passport (for the entire period of your stay in the country)
- Visa
- Confirmation of sufficient funds for the trip
⚠️ When traveling to the UK, more and more attention is being paid to the financial readiness of tourists, including their ability to cover medical expenses.
Currently, border guards and visa officers assess whether the applicant has insurance for the entire period of stay, especially given the high cost of medical services in the country.
In case of hospitalization, the lack of an insurance policy can lead to significant expenses, even for basic care.
👉 Having insurance is an important part of preparing for a trip, reducing financial risks and enhancing the overall impression of the traveler's preparedness. Purchase a policy for the UK at this link.
Do I need a Green Card to travel to the UK by car now?
Yes, a Green Card is required for anyone traveling abroad by car, including refugees.
Just follow the link, choose the appropriate policy term and apply for a Green Card online in a few minutes.
How much money do you need to enter the UK in 2026?
There is no fixed minimum amount of money that you must have with you to enter the UK as a tourist. However, border control may require you to prove that you have enough money to cover your living expenses, travel costs, and return home.
The amount is assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on the length of the trip, place of residence, and the tourist's plans. Funds on a bank card, a bank statement, accommodation reservations, or a letter from the inviting party may serve as proof.
The cost of long-term standard visitor visas in 2026 is:
- for 2 years - £475;
- for 5 years - £848;
- for 10 years - £1,059.
Due to Ukraine's closed airspace, traveling to the UK requires careful planning. There are several ways to get to the UK, depending on your preferences and budget.
1. By air ✈️
Ukraine's airspace is currently closed, and it is impossible to get to the UK by plane directly. Therefore, most Ukrainian tourists choose to fly to one of the European airports located near the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine shares borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. There are many direct flights to the UK from these countries.
- Moldova
You can get from Chisinau to the UK with a direct flight Chisinau-London. The travel time is 3 hours and 20 minutes. Ticket prices start from 4000 UAH.
- Poland
- Warsaw - London. Ticket price starts from 1000 UAH. The flight duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Krakow - London. Ticket price starts from 800 UAH. Flight duration: 2 hours and 35 minutes.
- Rzeszow - London. Ticket price starts from 1100 UAH. The flight duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
In addition to London, direct flights from Poland are operated from Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
- Romania
Bucharest - London. Ticket price starts from 900 UAH. Flight duration is 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Direct flights arrive in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, and depart from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Baquea, Suceava, Iasi, etc.
The average duration of the route is over 3 hours. Ticket prices start at 900 hryvnias.
- Slovakia
Direct flights from Bratislava depart to the following British cities: Manchester, London, Leeds and Edinburgh.
- Bratislava - London - travel time 2 hours and 20 minutes, ticket price from 700 UAH.
- Bratislava - Manchester - travel time 2 hours 45 minutes, ticket price from 1200 UAH.
- Hungary
Budapest is connected by direct flights to the following British cities: London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Belfast, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Manchester.
Budapest - London - travel time 2 hours 30 minutes, ticket price from 900 UAH.
2. Train 🚆
There is no direct connection between the UK and Ukraine yet, but you can get there by train with transfers, as there are a number of international trains running from Ukraine.
Ukraine is connected to European cities by the following trains:
- Moldova: direct train №351 from Kyiv to Chisinau. The ticket price starts from 2000 hryvnias and the travel time is 17-20 hours. There is no direct train from Chisinau to London. However, you can travel with several transfers.
First, take a train from Chisinau to Budapest, then from Budapest to Brussels, and then to London. Tickets cost from 4000 hryvnias, and the travel time is 30-40 hours.
📍 Bus from Chisinau to London takes 40-44 hours, the ticket price is from 6,000 UAH.
- Poland:
- Train №67 from Kyiv to Warsaw. The travel time is 16 hours and the ticket price is about 2000 UAH.
Warsaw - Berlin - Brussels - London. It takes about 16-20 hours, including transfers and waiting time. Ticket prices start from 6000 UAH.
📍 Bus Warsaw - London takes approximately 26 hours and 20 minutes and costs from 3000 UAH.
- Trains №19, №119, №93 from Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv run to Chełm. The ticket price starts at 1300 UAH, and the travel time is 13-15 hours.
Transfer to a direct train to Warsaw. The first direct train departs at 06:57 from the Helm station. The last train to Warszawa Skhidna departs at 18:20. The ticket price starts from 900 hryvnias, and the travel time is 3-5 hours.
- Trains №51, №705, №89, №5, №73, №32 run to Przemyśl from four Ukrainian cities - Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. The travel time is 9 hours and 25 minutes. Tickets start at UAH 1366 for second-class cars and UAH 1946 for first-class cars.In Przemysl, you need to change to the direct EU 56 train to Berlin. It departs at 7:17 and arrives at 17:06. The ticket price is about 200 PLN.
📍 Bus Przemyśl - London takes approximately 33 hours and costs from 6,000 UAH.
- Slovakia: The Slovak city of Kosice can be reached by trains №961, №963 from Mukachevo. Travel time is 4 hours, and ticket prices start at 366 UAH.
There is a direct train from Kosice to Bratislava. The first direct train departs at 05:07. The last train to Bratislava departs at 23:45. The ticket price starts from 900 UAH, and the travel time is 4-6 hours. From Bratislava you can take a direct train to Vienna and then change to a train to Brussels. Travel time - 13-16 hours, ticket price - from 5000 UAH.
📍 Bus Bratislava - London takes approximately 33 hours and costs from 5,000 UAH.
- Hungary: trains №33, №31 from Mukachevo and non-stop carriage №749, №140 from Kyiv run to Budapest. Travel time is 4 hours, ticket prices start at UAH 2,500.
Budapest - Brussels - London. Tickets cost from 4,000 UAH and travel time is 14-16 hours.
📍 You can also take the bus Budapest - London, which travels for 33-40 hours, with a ticket price of 5,000 UAH.
- Austria: You can get to Austria by non-stop coaches №749, №140 Kyiv-Vienna and Chop-Vienna. The travel time is 8-23 hours and the ticket price is about 2,000 UAH.
Vienna - Frankfurt - Brussels - London. The total travel time is about 11-13 hours and the cost is about 6000 - 9000 hryvnias, depending on the route, class and time of booking.
📍 Bus Vienna - London takes approximately 28 hours and costs from 5,000 UAH.
💡 Please note!
You can buy tickets (train/bus/plane) from and to Ukraine, as well as between cities around the world, through the convenient Visit Ukraine booking system. The site has a bonus points system that allows you to travel much cheaper.
3. By bus 🚍
You can get from Kyiv or Lviv to the UK by bus using regular flights of carriers. Tickets costing from 5000 hryvnias are available on the companies' websites. The trip takes 40-60 hours, with possible delays at the border.
However, it is possible to travel by rail to European cities, and from there to London. It will take 20 to 30 hours.
4. Traveling by car 🚗
Advantages: flexibility in choosing a route and the opportunity to visit other countries along the way.
Kyiv - Lviv - Poland - Germany - Belgium - France - London: the most popular car route is through Lviv, then across the border with Poland to Warsaw, and from there to Berlin, then through Belgium to Calais in France. From Calais, you can cross the English Channel to the British port of Dover by ferry (approximately 1.5-2 hours) or use the Eurotunnel (approximately 35 minutes). After arriving in the UK, it will take about 1.5-2 hours to get to London. The total distance is about 2500 km.
❗️Important: To travel abroad by car, you must have a Green Card insurance policy .
Costs: The cost of fuel for this route will be about 300 euros, depending on the type of car and the route chosen.
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.
—
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.
—
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.
—
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.
How to travel abroad with a child in 2026?
According to the current legislation of Ukraine, the following rules apply to children's travel during martial law:
• Children under 16 can travel with one parent without the consent of the other.
• A child may also leave accompanied by a grandparent, adult brother or sister, stepmother, stepfather or other persons authorized by one of the parents in a written statement certified by the guardianship authority.
• Children over 16 years of age have the right to leave Ukraine on their own in accordance with Article 313 of the Civil Code of Ukraine.
• The main routes of departure are currently via the land borders with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova.
How to prepare for the trip: documents for traveling with a child
Ukrainians need a visa to travel to the UK. A separate visa is also required for children. The package of documents includes:
• The child's passport (or travel document, if issued earlier)
• Visa (the UK is not a member of the Schengen area, so you need to apply for a British visa)
• Child's birth certificate - may be required to confirm kinship
• Notarized permission to leave from the other parent - if the child is traveling with only one of them or with other relatives.
• Health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros.
What to take on a trip with a child?
1. Documents and important papers
✔ Foreign passport and visa
✔ Birth certificate
✔ Medical insurance
✔ Tickets and hotel reservations.
2. Clothes and shoes: warm clothes (the weather in Britain is changeable), a raincoat or umbrella, comfortable shoes for walking, a change of clothes.
3. Food and drinks: snacks for the road, baby food (if necessary), water bottle.
4. Medicines and hygiene products: a first aid kit with the necessary medicines.
5. Entertainment for the child: books and coloring books, a tablet or phone with downloaded cartoons, a favorite toy.
Important legal aspects
• Crossing the border during martial law: Ukrainian men (fathers) between the ages of 18 and 60 may have travel restrictions, but there are exceptions (for example, if they are fathers of three or more children).
• Permission to leave: If one of the parents is unable to give consent to the child's departure for objective reasons, you can apply to the court.
• British visa for children: The child receives a separate visa, even if he or she is traveling with the parents.
📌 Traveling abroad with a child and not sure what documents are needed?
Incorrectly executed documents can lead to a refusal to cross the border or to issue a residence permit. To avoid mistakes, Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you with:
✔ Consultation on the child's travel abroad and paperwork
✔ Notarized permission to leave from one of the parents
✔ Preparation of documents for the child's legal stay in the UK
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Where to visit with children in the UK
London:
• Natural History Museum - dinosaurs, skeletons and interactive exhibitions.
• Harry Potter Studio Tour - the wizarding world of Harry Potter in reality.
• London Zoo - one of the oldest zoos in the world.
Other cities:
• Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh) - a picturesque castle with a medieval history.
• Alton Towers (Staffordshire) is an amusement park with roller coasters and rides.
• The Beatles Story (Liverpool) - an interactive museum about the legendary band.
Useful contacts in the UK
Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom. Consular Section: England and Wales.
Reception of citizens: daily, including weekends, from 9 to 21:00.
Address: 60 Holland Park, London W11 3SJ
Phone: +442072438923
Hotline: +447553483628
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://uk.mfa.gov.ua/ua
Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh. Consular district: Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Reception of citizens without prior appointment in the electronic queue is temporarily introduced: Mon - Fri from 9 to 21:00. Weekends - by appointment by phone.
Urgent appeals and urgent consular actions - around the clock, by appointment.
Address: 8 Windsor Street, Edinburgh EH7 5JR
Phone: +44(0)1315560023
Hotline: +447909056906
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://edinburgh.mfa.gov.ua/
Emergency numbers in the UK
• 101 - police
• 111 - ambulance
Useful tips for traveling with a child
• Public transportation: In London, children under 11 years old can use the underground and buses for free when accompanied by an adult.
• Weather: Always have a raincoat or umbrella with you - the British climate is unpredictable.
• Health insurance: It is better to take out insurance to avoid unexpected medical expenses.
🌍✈️ Traveling to the UK with a child is a unique opportunity to explore a new culture, broaden your horizons and create unforgettable memories. The main thing is to prepare the documents in advance, think over the travel plan, and take care of medical insurance before the trip. Buy insurance for traveling abroad directly on the Visit Ukraine website - it's fast, convenient, and official.
The policy provides payment for emergency medical care, diagnostics, inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as assistance in case of an accident or hospitalization.
How to get insurance? It only takes a few minutes to apply - just enter your details and pay for the policy online. After that, you will receive an electronic document that can be presented if necessary.
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Frequantly ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the rules for Ukrainians entering the UK during the war in 2026?
Ukrainians can enter the UK only with a visa. The visa-free regime does not apply, even to holders of biometric passports. Different types of visas are available: tourist, work, student, or Homes for Ukraine (sponsored).