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Ukraine · Relocation guide

Moving to Ukraine during the war: feasibility and essential administration

This is not a routine relocation. UK advice is against all travel to most of Ukraine and against all but essential travel even to specified western regions. Immigration services still publish residence procedures, but attacks, mobilisation measures, infrastructure disruption and closed borders can override an ordinary move plan.

Content updated 12 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are listed below.

Decide whether the move is essential

FCDO advises against all travel to eastern Ukraine, occupied territories, most other regions and areas within 50 kilometres of the Belarus border; it advises against all but essential travel to specified western regions. Foreign nationals cannot currently enter or exit Crimea.

A permit approval does not make a location safe. Before any move, identify shelters, alerts, evacuation routes, insurance exclusions and a funded exit plan. Remote work or postponement is the safer default for a non-essential relocation.

Use the live DMS route only if travel proceeds

Temporary residence remains published for employment, study, qualifying family and other statutory purposes. Employment permits run for the term stated in the work authorisation or employment basis; a visa D, certified Ukrainian passport translation and valid medical insurance are normally part of the file.

Permanent residence first requires an immigration permit or another recognised basis. DMS office capacity and territorial access can change during the war, so confirm the receiving office before travel.

Use the live DMS route only if travel proceeds
PurposeRoute to examineWartime check
EmploymentTemporary Residence Permit for EmploymentConfirm both work authorisation and the DMS office accepting the application.
FamilyTemporary Residence Permit for Family ReunificationVerify the relationship basis, entry route and service availability.
Permanent moveImmigration PermitAn immigration permit precedes the permanent residence card.

Keep housing and work reversible

Do not commit to a property where attacks, occupation, damaged utilities or evacuation access make occupancy unsafe. Verify title and landlord authority and keep copies of the lease away from the home.

Do not work merely because a residence application is pending. Confirm the employment authorisation, lawful start, payroll and social-contribution records with the employer, and build interruption and remote-work terms into the contract.

Plan medical and family contingencies

A valid insurance policy is required for the temporary-residence application, but wartime exclusions, evacuation and provider access require separate verification. Maintain medicine reserves within legal limits and identify more than one functioning provider.

Moving children requires a specific shelter, schooling and departure plan. Ask the school about in-person versus remote provision and keep passports, civil records and consent documents ready for evacuation.

Assume disrupted banking and transport

Confirm that cards, transfers and salary access work under sanctions and emergency conditions; keep lawful redundancy without carrying unsafe cash. Tax residence and foreign income still require professional review.

Regular traffic cannot cross the Belarus or Russia borders. Driving, fuel and rail availability can change, and airspace is closed to civil flights; use current official border and alert information rather than a fixed itinerary.

Prioritise renewal and exit readiness

Use DMS document-status tools and confirm renewal deadlines directly; a closed office or air raid does not guarantee an automatic extension. Keep scanned and paper copies of permits and receipts.

Reassess necessity continuously. If the security position changes, leave while routes are functioning; FCDO cannot facilitate departure and in-person consular help is unavailable in many regions.

Your moving checklist

Tick off the tasks that apply to you. The timing is a planning order, not a substitute for the deadlines on your permission or an official instruction.

0 of 13 tasks completed

Before you move
On arrival
Your first month
Later and before renewal

Sources and checks

The linked authorities set the rules. VisaAtlas explains how the steps fit together; planning suggestions are not a decision on your immigration status, tax residence or entitlement to services.

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