As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine wages on, the world has come together to help Ukrainians relocate out of the country, with many countries creating special visas and immigration rules to help them escape the Russian invasion.
One of these such visas is the Ukraine Family Scheme Visa by the United Kingdom, which allows any Ukrainian citizen with a nuclear or extended family in the United Kingdom to relocate free of charge.
The visa – launched on the 4th of March, 2022 – has no limitations, and anyone who relocates will be able to live, work and study in the United Kingdom. It doesn’t have any salary or language requirements.
Who is eligible for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa?
To be eligible for the Ukraine Family Scheme visa, you must be a Ukrainian citizen or be the immediate family of a Ukrainian citizen. You must have been in the country prior to the start of 2022, and you must also have a family member in the United Kingdom, whom you’ll be applying to stay with.
The family member in the United Kingdom must be a British citizen or must have settled status in the country. They could also be a European Union citizen who has been in the UK before January 2021.
Who counts as a Family Member?
For the Ukraine Family Visa Scheme, the United Kingdom groups family members into three categories. These are Immediate Family, Extended Family, and Immediate Family of Extended Family.
Married, engaged, and unmarried partners, parents (for applicants under the age of eighteen), and children under the age of eighteen counts as Immediate Family members.
Parents (for applicants over the age of eighteen), children over the age of eighteen, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, cousins, and in-laws are regarded as Extended Family members.
Immediate Family members of Extended Family members are also eligible to stand as Family Members for people looking to leave Ukraine.
How do I apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme Visa?
All you need to do is apply on the UK government website. If you have a valid Ukrainian passport, you will not need to visit a physical Visa Application Centre from the 15th of March, 2022. If you do not have a valid Ukrainian passport, you will still need to visit a physical Visa Application Centre. Your photographs and fingerprints will be taken at the Visa Application Centre.
Visa Application Centres inside Ukraine are currently closed, but there are operational Visa Application Centres in Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and France. There is no current timeline for how long the application process will take, but the UK government has stated it will prioritize applications from the scheme.
How can UK companies find Ukrainian tech talent easily?
There are a number of job platforms and organizations that have created special programs to help Ukrainian candidates find new opportunities abroad.
To view a list of available Ukrainian tech talent on our platform, visit https://vanhack.com/ukraine.
It is important to note that companies cannot apply for the Ukraine Family Visa Scheme for their candidates, and can only support their hires and assist with their relocation after their visas have been approved.
