Colombians can no longer travel to the UK for short trips visa-free from 26 November 2024. The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will open on 4 February 2025 and the Ukraine Extension Scheme will close on the same date. Also, Ukraine scheme permission cannot count towards the 10-year long residence route to settlement for applications decided from 18 December 2024.
The changes are contained in Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, HC 334.
There is a brief transition period. Those who have a confirmed travel booking made before 15:00 GMT on 26 November 2024 will be allowed to enter the UK without a visa if arriving by 15:00 on 24 December 2024. Anyone who tries to amend an existing booking and change the travel date cannot benefit from the visa requirement exception.
The Home Office says the visa requirement has been imposed due to a significant and sustained rise in Colombian visitors entering the UK for impermissible purposes, such as to live, work or claim asylum in the UK.
Affected children will be able to apply instead to the new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which will open at 9:00 GMT on 4 February 2025. This route will allow existing Ukraine Scheme permission holders to apply for a further 18 months’ permission. Applications will need to be made within 28 days of the existing permission being due to expire.
Lastly, people with permission under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme will not be allowed to use a ‘permission to travel’ letter to enter the UK from 13 February 2025. Holders of these letters will need to make a fresh application to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme for entry from this date.
If you have any queries about these changes, please get in touch with a member of our Immigration team.
Colombians must apply for a visa before travelling to the UK
Colombians have been eligible to travel to the UK without a visa since November 2022. However, from 15:00 GMT on 26 November 2024 the visa requirement will be re-introduced, which means that Colombian citizens must apply for a visa before coming to the UK to visit or transit. This also means they are also no longer eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).There is a brief transition period. Those who have a confirmed travel booking made before 15:00 GMT on 26 November 2024 will be allowed to enter the UK without a visa if arriving by 15:00 on 24 December 2024. Anyone who tries to amend an existing booking and change the travel date cannot benefit from the visa requirement exception.
The Home Office says the visa requirement has been imposed due to a significant and sustained rise in Colombian visitors entering the UK for impermissible purposes, such as to live, work or claim asylum in the UK.
Changes to the Ukraine schemes
The Ukraine Extension Scheme is currently only open to UK-born children of Ukrainian citizens with permission under one of the existing Ukraine schemes. This route will close at 9:00 GMT on 4 February 2025.Affected children will be able to apply instead to the new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which will open at 9:00 GMT on 4 February 2025. This route will allow existing Ukraine Scheme permission holders to apply for a further 18 months’ permission. Applications will need to be made within 28 days of the existing permission being due to expire.
Lastly, people with permission under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme will not be allowed to use a ‘permission to travel’ letter to enter the UK from 13 February 2025. Holders of these letters will need to make a fresh application to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme for entry from this date.
Changes to the long residence settlement route
For decisions made on applications for settlement under the 10-year long residence settlement route on or after 18 December 2024, time spent in the UK with permission under a Ukraine scheme cannot be counted towards meeting the continuous residence qualifying period requirement. This reflects the Government’s policy position that the Ukraine schemes are intended to offer temporary sanctuary in the UK.If you have any queries about these changes, please get in touch with a member of our Immigration team.