Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
Worried about your Ukraine visa running out? At Alexander Boyd Solicitors in Glasgow, we offer same-day consultations in English and Українська. We walk you through what the Home Office expects, check your documents and help you avoid the mistakes that lead to refusals. Fixed fee per person. 50% of fees from this package are donated to a Ukrainian charity.
- Full eligibility review
- Your application documents prepared and checked by your lawyer
- Application drafted and submitted to the Home Office
- Routine Home Office correspondence about your application
- Direct lawyer contact at every stage of the package, no paralegals
"We've been working with Alexander for seven years now! We are incredibly grateful for your sensitivity and kindness in consulting and preparing documents on migration issues (and other matters), and for your high level of professionalism!"
What your fixed fee does and doesn't cover
The advertised fixed fee is per person and covers the standard legal work specifically described in this package. It does not include third-party costs, translations, interpreters, expert reports, counsel/advocate/barrister fees or substantial additional work outside the agreed scope unless expressly stated.
Additional work arising after submission, including correspondence or complaints concerning Home Office delays, is not automatically included in the fixed fee. We may undertake such work without additional charge at our discretion, but where substantial additional work is required a separate fee may apply.
This fixed fee is for standard applications. If you've had a previous refusal, entered the UK illegally, claimed asylum, had any immigration law breaches, prior convictions or any other adverse immigration history, please book a consultation first. These cases may need additional work and a separate quotation, and we'll recommend the right route.
Book a consultation →A qualified lawyer handles your application from eligibility check to submission
Fixed pricing, fast appointments, and Home Office representation covering everything listed in your package. No paralegals.
Pay online
Fixed prices.
Book in
Meet your lawyer, often within 48 hours.
We prepare
Documents reviewed, application drafted.
We submit
Filed with the Home Office. You stay informed.
Prefer to start with a consultation?
Talk through your case with a qualified lawyer. Clear route, expected timeline, fixed quote.
"Spouse visa done in 25 days, after 5 prior rejections. My family is now together."
Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE): clear answers + step-by-step help
Plain‑English guide for Ukrainians in the UK who need to extend their stay. Written for quick scanning and voice search.
Quick answer: can I extend my stay? (1‑minute checklist)
- You’re likely eligible if you’re in the UK now and your current leave was under Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family, or Ukraine Extension (or LOTR in limited cases).
- Apply when your current permission has 28 days or less remaining. Earlier = likely rejection and you’ll need to reapply.
- Outcome: up to 18 months more permission; your eVisa updates online.
Need a quick review? If you’re within 30 days of expiry or spent time outside the UK, book a consultation with Alexander Boyd immigration solicitor.
Who UPE is for (and who it isn’t)
- Came via Homes for Ukraine: yes, apply for UPE.
- Came via Ukraine Family: yes, apply for UPE.
- Came via Ukraine Extension: yes, apply for UPE.
- Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR): some cases qualify—get advice.
- Not Ukrainian? You can qualify if you previously had leave as a partner/parent/child/fiancé(e) of a Ukrainian national and still meet relationship rules (or you’re a parent of an eligible child in the UK).
- Outside the UK right now? UPE cannot be applied for from abroad.
Timing and travel rules
- Best time to apply: day 28 → day 0 before expiry.
- Applied on time but still waiting? Your rights continue under section 3C until a decision.
- Do not travel while your application is pending; travelling usually withdraws the application.
- Applied late? You may temporarily lose rights to work/rent/benefits until a decision—get legal help urgently.
Documents and accounts you’ll need
Before you start
- UKVI account + eVisa access (email + phone working).
- ID: passport or expired BRP (you can usually reuse biometrics if applying with BRP). Keep your BRP even if expired.
- If you changed passport: add the new passport to your UKVI account before applying.
- Home Office may ask for proof you live in the UK. Useful items:
- Tenancy/mortgage/landlord letter or council/housing trust letter
- Job letter confirming ongoing employment
- School/college letter for you/your child
- Recent bank statements showing UK spending
- UK bills: council tax, utilities, phone, TV licence, etc.
Tip: Non‑English/Welsh documents need certified translations with translator’s name, date and contact details.
Living outside the UK: how much time away is too much?
- Short trips/holidays: generally fine.
- Time in Ukraine < 12 months: usually fine.
- Time in other countries < 12 months: be ready to show ongoing ties to the UK (job, school, housing, bills, regular spending).
- ≥ 12 months away: case‑by‑case; strong UK‑ties evidence helps. Speak to a lawyer.
Identity and biometrics
- No current passport? You may use: recently expired passport; valid/expired Ukrainian ID card; driving licence + birth certificate (matching details); or emergency certificate issued since March 2022.
- Reusing biometrics (via BRP) is faster and may avoid a UKVCAS appointment.
- Children < 5: no fingerprints, but photo appointment may be needed.
Applying for children and dependants
- Children born in the UK since March 2022 to a Ukrainian parent with Ukraine‑scheme leave should apply under UPE.
- Who must be in the UK with the child? A parent/legal guardian/close relative (or in local authority care).
- Evidence for children: full birth/adoption certificate; parent/guardian ID; parent/guardian immigration status (passport number/UAN). Extra documents if living with relatives or non‑relatives (consent letters, guardianship orders).
- Visa length: usually matches the parent who has the longest permission and lives with the child; otherwise 18 months.
While you wait: your rights and real‑world problems
- Rights continue (work, rent, benefits, study) if you applied before expiry (section 3C).
- Share codes may look odd while pending. If an employer/landlord is unsure:
- Show your UKVI account screenshot confirming your pending UPE.
- Share the official guidance note on section 3C rights.
- Benefits letters threatening a stop: respond with proof of in‑time application and ask for records to be updated.
Decision and aftercare
- Decision window: often within 8 weeks.
- Permission start: from the decision date; your eVisa updates automatically.
- Before travelling later: ensure your eVisa is linked to your current passport in UKVI.
- Refusal? Common causes: living abroad too long without UK ties; relationship no longer meets rules; missing identity evidence. Get legal advice immediately—there may be fixes.
Money and housing notes (hosts & guests)
- If you’re hosted under Homes for Ukraine when UPE is granted, your host may reapply for thank‑you payments (normally £350/month while UPE lasts), subject to local rules and eligibility. Close family hosting is usually not eligible.
- Councils can continue payments for a limited period while a timely UPE application is pending to avoid gaps—hosts should check local guidance.
When to get a lawyer (and when you may not need one)
DIY is fine if: you have UKVI access, valid ID/BRP, no long absences, and no family changes.
Get a lawyer if any of these apply:
- You spent 6–12+ months outside the UK, especially in a third country.
- You can’t prove current UK residence or ongoing ties.
- Your relationship changed (separation, domestic abuse, complex parent/child care).
- You lost ID/BRP, or details don’t match across documents.
- Your leave has expired or will expire within 14 days.
Fixed-fee options: quick document check, evidence plan for UK ties, application handling as described in your package, or urgent representations to employers/landlords.
Local help
- Same‑day slots often available for near‑expiry cases.
Bring to your appointment: passport(s), BRP, UKVI login, proof of address, payslips or bank statements, school letters, relationship/birth certificates, any Home Office emails.
FAQs
Can I apply earlier than 28 days? Not recommended; early applications are often rejected. Set a reminder for 30 days before expiry and apply inside the 28‑day window.
Can I travel while I wait? No. Travelling usually withdraws your application.
What if I lost my BRP? You can still apply, but expect to give biometrics. Report the loss and gather alternative ID.
What if my relationship ended? You might still qualify through your parental role to a child in the UK with Ukraine‑scheme leave. Get advice.
How long are decisions taking? Many are decided within 8 weeks; some faster, complex cases longer.
Do I need to upload evidence? Usually not at the start, but the Home Office may email you for extra documents. Have proof of UK ties ready.
Simple prep checklist (printable)
Accounts & IDs
- UKVI account works (email/phone access)
- Passport(s) added to UKVI
- BRP located (even if expired)
UK ties
- Address proof (tenancy, council tax)
- Job or school letters
- 3–6 months bank statements with UK spend
- Utility/phone bill
Family
- Birth/marriage certificates
- Consent/guardianship documents if relevant
Travel
- Do not book travel until after decision
- Plan to stay in the UK while pending