Temporary protection in the UK for Ukrainians in 2025: how to apply and key rules for refugees

Support for refugees from Ukraine in the UK involves applying for temporary protection under special programmes. Find out what rights Ukrainians in the UK are guaranteed under temporary protection, what the application procedure is, and what documents are required

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Assistance to Ukrainians affected by the full-scale invasion is one of the key areas of social policy in the United Kingdom. This is not just about social housing and benefits – forced migrants who have been granted temporary protection have the right to legally reside, study, work and receive medical care. We explain how to apply for refugee status in the UK, what rights it gives and what programmes are currently available to Ukrainians.

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Will temporary protection for Ukrainians in the UK still be in place in 2025?

Assistance to Ukrainians in the UK will continue to be provided in 2025, providing vital support to those who have been forced to leave their homeland due to the war. The UK government continues to implement two key visa programmes that were launched in 2022: Homes for Ukraine and the Ukraine Family Scheme. As of 2025, most visas issued under these programmes (initially granted for three years) have been or will be eligible for extension until 2026 or even longer, as confirmed by relevant announcements from the Home Office.

Ukrainian citizens and their family members (regardless of citizenship, if they lived in Ukraine before 2022) can apply for entry. It should be noted that in 2025, both schemes will continue to accept new applications. If you are planning to come to the UK for the first time, you must choose one of these programmes: either find a sponsor for Homes for Ukraine or have eligible relatives in the United Kingdom for the Family Scheme. All current and official instructions, as well as requirements for applicants, are always published on the government portal gov.uk, which is the only reliable source of information.

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What rights do Ukrainians with temporary protection in the UK have?

Ukrainians in the UK who have obtained visas under one of the official schemes are granted the right to reside for up to three years with a high probability of further extension. This status provides full access to important areas of life: Ukrainians immediately receive unrestricted work permits and are entitled to free healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS), which is a critically important aspect of support. Children and teenagers gain access to education by attending local schools and colleges, while adults can take advantage of language and education programmes. In addition, immigrants are entitled to social benefits and housing assistance, and are able to open bank accounts and use all necessary financial services. Upon arrival, an important step is to obtain a National Insurance Number (NIN), which is required for employment and access to social security.

How to apply for temporary protection in the UK in 2025?

Step 1. Choose a programme – Homes for Ukraine or Family Scheme

The process of applying for temporary protection begins with choosing one of two existing asylum systems, which have fundamental differences. The Homes for Ukraine programme is based on a sponsorship model: the applicant needs a host or host family in the UK who will provide accommodation for at least six months. Any citizen or resident of the United Kingdom who meets the established requirements can be a sponsor. In contrast, the Ukraine Family Scheme visa is intended for those who have relatives in the UK – citizens, permanent residents or those who already have a residence permit in the UK. Applications for both programmes are submitted exclusively online through specialised sections on the gov.uk website.

Step 2. Submitting an application – visa for Ukrainians to the UK in 2025

After selecting a programme, you must carefully fill out an online application form, providing your personal details, information about your relatives or sponsor, and the purpose of your trip. The necessary documents are attached to the application (see below). An important part of the procedure is the submission of biometric data. This usually takes place at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the country where the applicant is located. However, in some cases, children or holders of biometric passports can submit this data directly upon entry into the United Kingdom. The processing time for an application can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the workload of the Home Office.

Step 3. Ukrainians living in Britain – what to do immediately after moving

Once the application has been approved, Ukrainians will receive an electronic visa, which is issued in the UK Immigration: ID Check app. This electronic visa grants the right to enter the country. After successful arrival, you must register with your local council in order to receive financial assistance and social benefits for Ukrainians in the UK. Among the first steps should also be obtaining a NIN, opening a bank account and registering with a family doctor (GP) to access the NHS. A biometric residence permit (BRP) may be issued as proof of status after entry, although in recent years there has been a transition to fully digital status.

The Visit Ukraine team provides comprehensive support to Ukrainians who are planning to or are already in the UK. We offer online consultations on visa application, advice on renting accommodation, finding work and accessing healthcare. In addition, through our service, you can quickly take out travel insurance. We are also ready to help with the translation of documents and provide legal advice on migration issues.

What documents are required to apply for temporary protection in the United Kingdom?

To apply for a visa, you need a valid foreign passport or other document that proves your identity and confirms your Ukrainian citizenship. If you do not have a foreign passport, you can submit an internal passport or even a birth certificate for children, although this may take longer. You must also provide proof of address from your sponsor in the UK or an invitation from a relative. For the Family Scheme, you will need birth certificates or a marriage certificate to prove family ties. It is mandatory to provide contact details (email and telephone number) for prompt communication and visa decisions. All documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Social support for Ukrainians in the UK in 2025

Ukrainians in London in 2025 (provided they receive temporary protection) are entitled to comprehensive social support. This includes housing assistance, with local councils paying funds to both the migrants themselves and their sponsors to offset living costs. Additional financial assistance (e.g. a one-off payment from the local council upon arrival) is also provided to cover initial expenses. Jobs for Ukrainians in the UK are available through Jobcentre Plus, and numerous local initiatives offer English language courses and vocational training. Obtaining an NHS medical card guarantees access to doctors. Volunteer and international organisations such as the British Red Cross, RefuAid, Reset UK and Ukrainian Welcome Centres play an important role in providing support, offering practical assistance, advice and emotional support.

Important to remember! Once you have registered for temporary protection, you will have access to the healthcare system for refugees. However, while your application is being processed, you will need to take out an insurance policy, as injuries or illnesses can happen at any time and treatment costs are quite high here. You can find out how medical insurance works in the UK for Ukrainians on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Advice for Ukrainians in the UK in 2025

Those whose visas are about to expire must apply for an extension of their residence permit several months before the expiry date. Information on the extension procedure should only be sought on the official website gov.uk. It is very important to avoid fraud, especially when looking for accommodation or a sponsor: never transfer money for ‘reservations’ or visa services to unofficial persons. Always use official resources:

– gov.uk/homes-for-ukraine

– help.unhcr.org/uk

– redcross.org.uk

If you need legal assistance or document translation, contact reputable charities or licensed law firms that specialise in immigration law.

➤ Follow the updates on the stay of Ukrainians in the United Kingdom in 2025 with Visit Ukraine. We will help you with paperwork, medical insurance and provide online consultations.

Reminder! If you are travelling to the United Kingdom in your own car, be sure to have a ‘Green Card’ car insurance policy. Without it, in the event of an accident in another country, you will not only have to pay for the damage, but also pay a hefty fine.

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