Guidance

Regularising a child’s immigration status if they are born in the UK: Homes for Ukraine - guidance for councils

This page outlines the process to regularise a child from Ukraine’s immigration status in the UK through the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

Children born in the UK  after 18 March 2022 to parents who hold permission under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are eligible to regularise their immigration status through the Ukraine Extension Scheme. Parents should make an application to regularise the child’s position in the UK within the first three months, to ensure the child has immigration status and access to services and benefits, including healthcare.

Para 21.3 of the Ukraine Extension Scheme (UES) rules, sets out who is eligible to apply under the UES: Ukraine Extension Scheme: caseworker guidance.

The Ukraine Extension Scheme is closing to new applications on 16 May 2024, however it will remain open for children born in the UK to those who hold permission to enter or stay under the Ukraine Scheme

A child born in the United Kingdom will only be a British citizen if, at the time of the birth, either parent is:

a) a British citizen or

b) settled in the United Kingdom or

c) a member of the armed forces.

If a child is born in the UK and is not a British citizen automatically, they are able to apply for registration if:

  • their parent becomes a British citizen or settled in the UK
  • they live in the UK for the first 10 years of their life
Published 3 April 2023
Last updated 19 February 2024 + show all updates
  1. Guidance has been updated following changes to the Homes for Ukraine Immigration Rules on 19 February 2024.

  2. First published.