Priti Patel grants visa concessions to Ukrainians in the UK on visit visas and fixed time limit visas.

Stated concessions allow for Ukrainian nationals in the UK on temporary grants of leave, such as visitors, students and workers, to have their visas temporarily extended OR will be allowed to switch into different visa routes.

The most impactful updates include:

• Ukrainian nationals in the UK pursuant to a valid visitor visa are now able to exceptionally apply to switch into a visa route under the points-based system (read work and study routes) without having to leave the UK;
• Ukrainian nationals in the UK with valid visitor visas can also now exceptionally apply under family routes (read unmarried partner, spousal routes), without needing to depart the UK, provided they meet the requirements outlined under ‘exceptional circumstances’ (read refusal leads to breach of ECHR Art 8 right to private and family life, and the best interests of any child involved).

Under normal circumstances, visitors must depart the UK and apply for work or study visas from their country of residence or nationality. The Home Office is waiving this requirement for Ukrainian nationals. This update does not include information regarding concessions within existing visa categories, and therefore it must be assumed currently that the relevant requirements associated with any intended visa route must still be met for any application made from within the UK under this concession.

• Ukrainian nationals on existing seasonal worker visas will have their leave in the UK extended to 31 December 2022.
• Ukrainian nationals in temporary HGV/pork butcher jobs will have their visas extended to 31 December 2022, and will also exceptionally be allowed to apply to switch to the skilled worker route.

Additionally, the Home Secretary reminds us that those currently on a points-based system visa (read student or worker routes) are able to apply to extend their leave, which is not a deviation from the Rules as they currently stand.

This situation is on-going and further changes and announcements from the Home Office are to be expected. 

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