Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme: Further 24-Month Extension Introduced
The Home Office has introduced a further extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, allowing eligible individuals to apply for an additional 24 months’ leave from 8 April 2026.
It means that individuals can now hold permission under the scheme for up to three and a half years in total, without needing to switch into a different visa category.
The new rule applies to those who have already been granted permission under the scheme and are approaching the end of their current grant.
The UPE application remains free of charge.
How the extension works in practice
The April 2026 update introduces a second stage of permission under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. Individuals who were previously granted 18 months’ leave can now apply for a further 24-month extension, provided they meet the eligibility requirements at the point of application.
Applications can be made up to 90 days before the current period of permission expires. This creates a defined application window that applicants need to monitor carefully to avoid any disruption to their immigration status.
Where an application is submitted before expiry, the individual’s lawful status is expected to continue while the Home Office processes the application. This supports continuity of residence and avoids gaps that could otherwise affect work, housing or access to services.
The Home Office has also indicated that discretion may be applied in certain cases, particularly where family members need to align their immigration status. This may be relevant where dependants or children hold permission with different expiry dates.
Impact for UPE Holders
The extension offers welcome certainty for individuals already in the UK under the Ukraine schemes. Moving from an initial 18-month grant to a potential total of three and a half years allows for more stable medium-term planning.
In practical terms, this supports continuity across key areas of daily life:
- Ongoing employment without interruption, subject to maintaining valid permission
- Greater stability in housing arrangements and rental agreements
- Improved ability to plan education for children already settled in the UK
- Continued access to services in line with scheme conditions
However, the extension is not automatic. Individuals are required to apply within the 90-day window. Failure to do so risks a break in lawful status, which can have immediate practical consequences.
DMS Perspective
While the extension provides additional time, it remains part of a temporary protection framework rather than a long-term settlement route. Individuals should still consider their longer-term position in the UK, including whether they may become eligible for other immigration routes over time.
For employers, the change reinforces the need to monitor visa expiry dates and ensure records are updated where permission is extended. Right to work checks and ongoing compliance processes should reflect the revised permission periods.
