Ukrainian refugees in UK can apply for extending visas by another 18 months

MOSCOW. Feb 19 (Interfax) - Ukrainians who have been granted temporary asylum in the United Kingdom will be entitled to apply for having their visas extended by another 18 months starting 2025, Ukrainian media have reported with reference to BBC News, which cited the UK Home Office.

The UK granted special visas to Ukrainian refugees, which are valid for three years. The first such visas were issued in March 2022 and are due to expire in March 2025. They entitle refugees to access work, benefits, healthcare, and education in the UK.

Ukrainian citizens granted asylum in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme, and the Ukraine Extension Scheme will be entitled to apply for the extensions once they are in the last three months of an existing visa, i.e. starting from early 2025.

The Home Office said those who have been granted asylum in the UK beyond these schemes would also be entitled to apply for visa extensions.

BBC News said the UK has granted asylum to over 283,000 people since it launched its programs for Ukrainian, and many of them were accommodated in British families.