Your three-year Homes for Ukraine visa is ending, your BRP card is expired, and you’re not sure whether you need to translate your birth certificate or if your passport alone will do. A friend from Dnipro told me how she submitted her UPE application without translating her name change certificate - and got a request for additional documents that delayed the decision by 3 weeks. She could’ve paid £30 for a translation upfront and saved herself all that stress. Let’s figure out which documents you actually need to translate for your extension, and where you can save money.
What is Homes for Ukraine and why everyone’s extending now¶
Homes for Ukraine (Sponsorship Scheme) is the visa programme the UK launched on 14 March 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion. A British sponsor - an individual or organisation - would apply to host a Ukrainian and provide housing for at least 6 months. The visa was granted for 3 years, or 18 months for applicants from February 2024 onwards.
The scheme itself closed to new applications on 4 February 2025. But if you’re already in the UK - there’s an extension through the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE).
Besides Homes for Ukraine, there were two other schemes: the Ukraine Family Scheme (for those with relatives in the UK) and the Ukraine Extension Scheme (for Ukrainians already in the country on another visa). All three are closed to new applicants, but all three qualify for UPE.
The key thing: under any of these schemes you have the right to work, claim benefits, use the NHS, and access free education for children. And it’s all free - no fees whatsoever.
Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE): how it works in 2026¶
UPE is the mechanism for extending your stay if your initial Ukraine scheme visa is ending. It launched on 4 February 2025 and grants an additional 18 months with the same rights.
Second extension for 24 months¶
In September 2025, the government confirmed a further UPE extension of 24 months. So in total, UPE can give you up to 3.5 years of additional permission - on top of the 3 years from your original visa. That’s up to 6.5 years in the UK altogether.
Timeline and deadlines¶
| Stage | Duration | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Original visa (Homes for Ukraine) | 3 years (or 18 months for later applicants) | Already granted |
| UPE-1 (first extension) | 18 months | Within 90 days before original visa expires |
| UPE-2 (second extension) | 24 months | Within 90 days before UPE-1 expires |
| Maximum through UPE | 42 months (3.5 years) | - |
Tip: from 8 April 2026, the application window expands from 28 to 90 days before your current permission expires. That’s much more comfortable - you’ve got time to gather documents without panicking.
Cost¶
UPE is completely free - both the first and second extensions. No fees, no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
What documents you need for UPE¶
You submit the online application through GOV.UK. Here’s what you’ll need.
Mandatory documents¶
Passport - a valid international passport. If you haven’t previously submitted a passport to the Home Office (for example, if you entered on an ID card) - you must provide one now. If you’ve already submitted one before, you don’t need to again.
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) - even if the card is expired, you still need it. The Home Office uses the biometric data from the card through the UK Immigration ID Check app. An expired BRP is fine - they’ll still accept it.
Travel history outside the UK - you’ll need to list all trips abroad (outside the UK and Ukraine) since your visa was granted. Entry and exit dates.
UK address - current and previous addresses, if you’ve moved.
Documents that may be needed (and require translation)¶
Here’s where it gets interesting. The Home Office may request additional documents to verify your identity or circumstances. And if they’re not in English - you need a certified translation.
| Document | When it may be needed | Translation needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Identity verification, if there are name discrepancies | Yes, certified |
| Marriage/divorce certificate | Name changes, marital status | Yes, certified |
| Name change certificate | If your passport name doesn’t match your BRP | Yes, certified |
| Court order for child custody | If applying for children | Yes, certified |
| Medical documents | If there are medical grounds for extension | Yes, certified |
| Passport | Primary ID document | No - photo and data pages are readable by the Home Office |
| BRP | Biometric card | No - issued in the UK, in English |
If you don’t have any documents you need for an application, explain why you don’t have them when you apply. The Home Office should accept your application if there’s a good reason you don’t have the documents.
This is particularly relevant for those whose documents were left in occupied territories or destroyed during shelling. The Home Office understands the situation and is prepared to consider alternative evidence.
UKVI certified translation requirements: what your translation must include¶
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has clear requirements for document translations. They’re different from German or American standards - you don’t need a notary or sworn translator. But there are mandatory elements.
What a certified translation must contain¶
According to official UKVI requirements, every translation must include:
- Accuracy confirmation - a statement such as “I confirm this is an accurate translation of the original document”
- Date of translation - when the translation was completed
- Translator’s full name and signature or that of an authorised official of the translation company
- Contact details - address or phone number of the translator/company
Who can do the translation¶
The translation must be done by a professional translator - not you, not a family member, not your immigration adviser. This is a strict Home Office requirement.
Ideally, your translator should be a member of a professional body: - Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) - the UK’s professional body for translators - Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) - the chartered professional body for linguists - Or hold a DPSI (Diploma in Public Service Interpreting)
But membership in a professional body isn’t formally required. UKVI accepts translations from any professional translator as long as all 4 certification elements are included.
Notarisation - NOT required¶
Here’s something many people don’t realise: UKVI explicitly states that notarisation isn’t required for translations. This makes the UK different from Germany (which requires beglaubigte Übersetzung) or France (traduction assermentée). In the UK, a certified translation from a professional translator is enough.
This means: - You don’t need to visit a notary (or pay for their services) - You don’t need to find a sworn translator - You can order your translation online, without leaving your home
How much document translation costs for UPE¶
Let’s look at real costs. Certified translation prices in the UK in 2026:
| Document type | Approximate cost | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate (1 page) | £25-40 | 1-2 business days |
| Marriage certificate (1 page) | £25-40 | 1-2 business days |
| Name change certificate (1-2 pages) | £30-50 | 1-3 business days |
| Court order (5-10 pages) | £100-200 | 3-5 business days |
| Medical certificate (2-3 pages) | £50-90 | 2-3 business days |
Ukrainian is classified as Tier 2 for complexity, so the per-word rate is typically £0.09-0.12. Rush jobs (24-hour turnaround) cost an additional 25-100% on top of the standard price.
For comparison: in Ukraine, certified translation costs roughly 300-600 UAH (£6-12) per page. But there’s a catch - translations done in Ukraine may not meet UKVI certification format requirements. So it’s safer to order from a UK-based translator or a company that knows UKVI standards.
Tip: if you need multiple documents translated, order them as a bundle. Most translation companies offer 10-20% discounts on orders of 3-5 documents.
If you’re short on time and need a quick translation with quality checks, you can upload your document to ChatsControl and get a translation in minutes. But for official Home Office submissions, you’ll still need certification from a professional translator.
What to do if your documents were lost or destroyed in the war¶
This is one of the most painful topics for Ukrainians in the UK. According to Right to Remain, thousands of people left their documents in occupied territories or lost them during shelling.
The Home Office position¶
The Home Office understands the situation and accepts alternative evidence:
- If you don’t have a document - explain why in your application
- You can submit copies instead of originals (if originals are lost)
- Screenshots from Diia (Ukraine’s digital documents app) are accepted as additional verification
- Third-party statements (friends, relatives, volunteers) can serve as supplementary evidence
How to replace documents¶
If there’s a way to obtain new documents: - Birth certificate - through a civil registry office (RATS) in Ukraine or through the Ukrainian consulate in London or Edinburgh - Passport - through the Embassy of Ukraine in London - Certificates and references - some can be ordered through the Diia portal or authorised representatives in Ukraine
Even if the replacement document is a duplicate or registry extract - it still needs the same certified translation as an original would.
For more details on replacing documents, read our article What to do if your Ukrainian documents were destroyed in the war.
Switching to another visa: when you need more documents¶
Here’s a critical point that many people miss. Time spent in the UK under a Ukraine Scheme does NOT count toward ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain - the right to live in the UK permanently). Even if you’ve been in the UK since 2022, those years don’t bring you closer to permanent status.
As the Work Rights Centre explains:
None of these time-limited visas allow for permanent residence, and time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes will not count toward indefinite leave to remain.
To get a path to ILR and citizenship, you need to switch to a different visa. And that’s where the list of documents needing translation gets much longer.
Skilled Worker Visa¶
If you have an employer with a sponsor licence - this is the most popular route. Documents to translate:
- University degree (if needed to prove qualifications)
- Academic transcript with subject list
- Employment record book or references from previous employers
- Professional certificates and licences
Visa cost: from £719 to £1,420 depending on duration, plus Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
Family Visa (Partner Visa)¶
If you have a partner with British citizenship or settled status:
- Marriage certificate
- Children’s birth certificates
- Evidence of your relationship (correspondence, shared photos, joint accounts)
- Partner’s financial documents
The minimum sponsor income since 2024 is £29,000 per year (previously £18,600).
Graduate Visa¶
If you’ve completed a degree at a UK university:
- Degree certificate (already in English - no translation needed)
- Confirmation from your university (CAS)
Ukrainian document translation usually isn’t needed for this route, since the main document is a UK degree.
For more on switching visas and citizenship, read our article British citizenship for Ukrainians.
Practical tips: how to avoid delays¶
Apply early¶
From April 2026, the application window is 90 days before your visa expires. Don’t wait until the last week. Start gathering documents 3-4 months before your deadline, and submit as soon as the window opens.
Get translations done in advance¶
If you know you’ll need a birth or marriage certificate translation - do it now. Certified translations don’t expire (unlike, say, a police clearance certificate). Translate once and use it for any future applications.
Keep copies of everything¶
Scan and save every document and translation to the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud). If the Home Office asks for additional documents, you’ll be able to respond within an hour, not a week.
Check name spelling¶
Transliteration of Ukrainian names is an eternal headache. Oleksandr can be Oleksandr, Aleksandr, or Alexander. Make sure the translation spells your name exactly as it appears in your passport. Any discrepancy gives the Home Office a reason to ask more questions.
As Ukrainian Refugee Help notes:
Landlords and employers are reluctant to extend or offer you a new contract because they can’t be sure that you will receive another 18 months leave to remain.
So the faster you apply and get your decision, the fewer problems you’ll have with landlords and employers. Your share code, which proves your rights, updates automatically once your application is approved.
Where to order certified translation for UKVI¶
Online services¶
The most convenient option is ordering online. You upload a scan of your document, receive the certified translation by email, and get the original with a wet signature by Royal Mail.
On ChatsControl, you can quickly get a document translation with AI quality checks. That’s enough for unofficial purposes, but for UKVI you’ll additionally need certification from a professional translator.
What to look for when choosing a translator¶
- The translator knows UKVI requirements (not everyone does - many are geared toward German or American standards)
- They’re ready to provide a certification statement with all 4 elements
- They have experience with Ukrainian documents (Soviet-era certificates, Diia documents - that’s a separate skill level)
- Pricing is clear, with no hidden charges
For more on UK immigration translation requirements, see our article Ukraine Scheme: documents and translation.
FAQ¶
Do I need to translate my passport for UPE?¶
No. The passport is submitted as-is - the Home Office reads the data themselves. Translation is only needed for documents entirely in Ukrainian or Russian (certificates, references, court orders).
How much does document translation cost for a Homes for Ukraine extension?¶
A certified translation of a single document (certificate, 1-2 page reference) costs £25-50 in the UK. A package of 3-5 documents runs £80-180. That’s significantly cheaper than Germany, where sworn translations cost €30-60 per page.
Does UKVI accept translations done in Ukraine?¶
Technically yes, if the translation contains all 4 mandatory certification elements (accuracy statement, date, translator’s signature, contact details). But in practice, it’s safer to order from a UK-based translator - less risk of the format being rejected.
What if my documents are stuck in Ukraine and I can’t get them?¶
Explain this in your UPE application - the Home Office understands the wartime situation. You can submit Diia screenshots, document copies, or third-party statements as alternative evidence. If possible, try to get replacements through the consulate or Diia portal.
Does time under Homes for Ukraine count toward ILR?¶
No. Time under any Ukraine scheme (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme) and under UPE does not count toward Indefinite Leave to Remain. For ILR, you need to switch to another visa - Skilled Worker, Family, or Graduate - and live in the UK for 5 years on that route.
Can I work while waiting for my UPE decision?¶
Yes. While your application is being processed, your rights to work, benefits, and NHS are maintained. Just make sure your employer checks your share code - it shows your application has been submitted and your rights are active.
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