Ukrainian nationals travelling to the UK
Information for Ukrainian nationals on travelling to the UK, including advice on Permission To Travel letters and the Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme.
On this page, you can find information for the following (click to jump to the section):
- Arriving the UK
- Driving in the UK
- Ukrainian displaced persons travel scheme
- Safety tips for families escaping conflict
Arriving in the UK
To learn more about arriving and travelling to the UK, please visit the official government website.
You can contact the UK Visas and Immigration free Ukraine helpline if you need help at +44 808 164 8810 and select option 1. If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, you can use +44 (0)175 390 7510.
Driving in the UK
If you have a Ukrainian driver’s license, you can drive in the UK if:
- You applied for entry clearance or permission to stay under the Homes for Ukraine or Ukrainian Family Scheme before 19 February 2024 at 3:00 pm
- You applied under the Ukraine Extension Scheme on or before 16 May 2024, provided they became residents in Great Britain on or after 3 March 2022
Eligible licence holders can drive motor bicycles, mopeds, and cars (category B) for up to 54 months after becoming residents. You can continue driving while waiting for your Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) application to be accepted. If the UPE application is rejected, refused, or withdrawn, you cannot drive.
For more information: Extension of Ukraine driving licence exchange: government response.
Ukrainian displaced persons travel scheme
The Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme offers free rail travel across all train operators in England, Scotland and Wales. When you arrive in the UK, you have 48 hours to get free tickets to travel to your destination. You will need to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket to use this offer.
You will also be able to travel for free across London using TfL's London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), bus and tram services.
When you get the UK, you can get free bus travel from the company National Express. For 48 hours, you can take one of their buses from the place where you arrive in the UK. Their buses go to many places in the UK but not all, so please check their website before travelling. Find out more about the National Express free travel policy for Ukrainian arrivals.
Safety tips for families escaping conflict
The International Organisation for Migration has information and support hotlines for persons in Ukraine and fleeing Ukraine in different countries.
Download our posters for safety tips if you and your family are on the move.
- Поради з безпеки для сімей (Ukrainian)
- Советы по безопасности для семей (Russian)
- Safety tips for families (English)
Anti-trafficking advice
Further guidance for Ukrainian nationals in the UK
Visas and immigration
Learn about the Homes for Ukraine scheme, family migration visas, permission extension, and how to claim asylum.
Housing
Guidance on how to find a place to live in the UK, including living with a host and rental accommodation.