UK extends programme to protect Ukrainians for another two years

Britain has extended its programme to protect Ukrainians. Photo: porady.org.ua

The UK has extended the Ukraine Permission Extension programme, which allows Ukrainians to stay in the country legally, for another two years.

This was announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in a speech to Parliament. She stressed that the UK is ready to continue to support Ukrainian families and help those fleeing war or political persecution.

Yvette Cooper added that the government will continue to provide humanitarian support to those affected by the war, including medical assistance to people in the Gaza Strip. The country is also ready to provide education for a new group of refugee students at British universities.

The Ukraine Permission Extension programme was developed by the UK Home Office. It allows Ukrainians with a status under one of the visa programmes to stay in the country for up to 18 months outside the usual immigration rules.

The programme provides an opportunity to work legally, rent accommodation, receive social assistance and access to education.

In June this year, almost 33,000 Ukrainian citizens were granted temporary protection in the European Union. The largest number of people with temporary protection were accepted: Germany — almost 1.2 million, Poland — about one million and the Czech Republic — 378 thousand.

It should also be noted that in the first half of 2025, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine recorded 16.47 million border crossings. This is 4% more than in the same period in 2024. 85% of all crossings — 14.08 million — were made by Ukrainian citizens. At the same time, since the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 3 million Ukrainians have travelled abroad and have not returned.