Ukrainian refugees in Britain will have an additional two months to renew their permission to stay after community groups raised concerns that the previous 28-day window created unnecessary stress and uncertainty about legal status.
The Home Office has extended the renewal application period from 28 days to 90 days before current permission expires, addressing feedback from the 310,000 Ukrainians who have received sanctuary under the Ukraine Permission Scheme since its establishment in 2022.
Ukrainian communities had specifically highlighted that the shorter timeframe caused undue anxiety about their legal status in the UK, prompting the government to make changes giving families greater sense of security about their futures in the country.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp stated: “We have listened to the concerns of the Ukrainian community and acted to offer greater peace of mind. This country will remain your safe haven for as long as the war continues.”
The procedural change comes as Russia’s illegal invasion enters its fifth year, with the UK maintaining its commitment to provide sanctuary for the duration of the conflict. The government extended the entire Ukraine Permission Scheme by a further two years in September, providing ongoing protection from the war.
The renewal window extension forms part of Britain’s broader expansion of safe haven programmes for those fleeing conflict and persecution. Just weeks earlier, the government widened eligibility for Hong Kongers to build new lives in Britain amid deteriorating rights and freedoms in the territory.
More than 170,000 Hong Kongers have been welcomed to the UK since the British National (Overseas) visa route was established in 2021, demonstrating the scale of Britain’s sanctuary provision across multiple crisis situations.
Tapp emphasized Britain’s ongoing commitment, stating: “The UK stands with Ukraine and we are proud to have offered sanctuary to more than 300,000 Ukrainians since Russia’s barbaric invasion. Britain will always offer sanctuary to those in genuine need.”
The Home Secretary announced last year plans to create new humanitarian routes for those genuinely fleeing war and persecution as part of the most sweeping reforms to the asylum system in a generation.
Future capped routes will offer safe and legal alternatives to dangerous small boat crossings for people around the world. These will be established once order has been restored to Britain’s borders, according to government statements.
The UK maintains its commitment to supporting Ukrainians for as long as the war continues. The government also acknowledges President Zelenskyy’s hope that Ukrainians will eventually return to rebuild their country once security conditions permit.
The extended renewal window means Ukrainian families can now plan with greater confidence, removing the pressure of last-minute applications that the 28-day period created. The tripling of the application window from one month to three months provides substantially more breathing room for those navigating the renewal process.
Applications can now be submitted up to 90 days before current permission expires, giving applicants three months rather than less than one month to complete necessary paperwork and gather required documentation for their continued stay in the United Kingdom.
