Ukraine permission extension scheme
The Government’s Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) enables Homes for Ukraine guests, and people with a Ukraine Family Visa or Ukraine Extension Visa, to apply to extend their stay in the UK for a further 18 months when their current visa expires. This scheme opened for applications on 4 February 2025.
Action for Ukrainians living in the UK on eligible visa routes
It is free to apply for the UPE scheme, and if your application is successful, you will be able to continue to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
You may apply for the UPE scheme 28 days before your Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, or Ukraine Extension Scheme visa ends. You must have a UKVI account and access to your eVisa.
It is vital you know the date when your current visa permission will end so that you apply to UPE in time. If you are unsure when your current permission ends, you can sign into the GOV UK website to find out.
Please note, you must also be in the UK when you make your application. Your application will not be valid and may be rejected if you apply outside the UK.
Read further guidance and to apply:
Applyi to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme
What you need to apply
When making your application for the UPE scheme you will need to:
- prove your identity
- confirm you are in the UK when making your application
- confirm whether you have had permission to be in the UK on a Ukraine scheme
- provide information about your accommodation in the UK
- provide information on the application form about any time you have spent living outside of the UK or Ukraine since you were granted permission under the Ukraine Schemes
To prove your identity, you will need a passport or a biometric residence permit card (BRP). You can use a BRP to prove your identity when applying for the UPE scheme, even when it has expired.
Applying for a child under 18
When making an application as or on behalf of a child under the age of 18, you will need to provide the child’s full birth or adoption certificate which shows the details of their parents. Birth certificates need to be translated into English and certified by an approved translator such as the below:
You will also be asked to provide evidence of the child’s parent or legal guardian’s nationality or identity document.
Additionally, you will be asked to provide evidence of the parent or legal guardian’s immigration status, for example their passport number or Unique Application Number (UAN).
After you have applied
You should receive a decision on your UPE scheme application within 8 weeks of submitting the application.
If your current permission expires before a decision is made on your UPE application you do not need to take any action, as your current permission will continue under section 3C leave.
Section 3C Leave
The purpose of section 3C leave is to extend a person’s leave when they are waiting for the outcome of an application for further leave to remain. They will be deemed to be lawfully present in the UK and any conditions attached to their previous leave, such as employment or access to public funds, will continue to apply until their new application is determined.
Travelling whilst waiting for your application
You should not travel outside of the UK or any other part of the Common Travel Area (the Common Travel Area includes the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) whilst waiting for your application.
If you do travel, then your application will be withdrawn and will not be considered
Any questions should be sent to the Visa Agency and not to Rotherham Borough Council as we do not process the visa applications.
Once you receive your visa
Once your Ukraine Permission Extension visa has been issued, Rotherham Council does require you to email a share code and ‘share’ the result to HomesForUkraine@rotherham.gov.uk
This is so your host will continue to receive the ‘thank you’ payment. If you do not do this then your host’s monthly payments may be cancelled.
Actions for hosts on the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme
As a result of the UK national government policy changes, your guest can apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme when their current permission has 28 days or less remaining on their HFU visa. Once your guest has applied, you will need to complete a new claim to continue to receive a monthly ‘thank you’ payment under the UPE scheme.
When the 28 day UPE application window opens, Rotherham Council’s Homes for Ukraine contact team will send you an email notifying you of this, attached to it will be a self-declaration renewal and bank payment form for you to complete and send back.
Payments will be aligned with your previous Homes for Ukraine payment date.
In accordance with the Government guidance, ‘Thank you’ payments to hosts will only be issued where the guest and host are not in a close family relationship. If this does apply to you then please do not claim.
Once your guest’s Ukraine Permission Extension visa has been issued, we do require them to email us a share code and ‘share’ the result with us online. If they do not do this then Rotherham Council will not be able to continue host payments.
Further details can be found here: Guidance for sponsors
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email: HomesForUkraine@rotherham.gov.uk
