17.03.2022
This content has been updated please refer to Part 3
Supporting Ukraine Nationals
The Government are launching a Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to match people, charities, businesses and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come the UK.
People in the region who are eligible under this route are encouraged to call the free 24/7 helpline on +44 808 164 8810 and to go to a Visa Application Centre in a neighbouring country to enrol biometrics once they have submitted an application.
For those that have family in the UK details can be found here on the scheme available Ukraine Family Scheme: application data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For Ukrainians currently in the UK there are several options available for them to be able to stay:
Visitors: Ukrainian nationals can switch to another visa whilst in the UK as a visitor
Skilled Worker: Ukrainian Skilled Worker visa holders can extend their leave or apply for a settlement if eligible
Students: Ukrainian student visa holders can apply to extend their leave or switch to a Graduate visa if eligible
Seasonal Worker visa: Ukrainian nationals can extend their seasonal worker visa to 31 December 2022. UKVI will work with their Immigration Sponsor to extend their visa automatically
Find out more here Immigration information for Ukrainians in the UK, British nationals and their family members - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
British nationals in Ukraine and Russia
Consular support is available to British nationals in Ukraine and Russia:
Consular support for Ukraine: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kyiv
Consular support for Russia: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow
Business Support
UK Government Support Service
Businesses who have questions about trading with Ukraine or Russia should use the dedicated online service from the Export Support Service or call 0300 303 8955.
Export Controls
Manufacturers can stay up to date with the latest government notifications on export controls by signing up to the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) e-alert service.
Notice to Exporters e-alerts: Export Control Organisation (govdelivery.com)
UK Sanction measures
On 24 February the UK Government announced a new package of sanctions on Russia, full details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-imposes-uks-most-punishing-sanctions-to-inflict-maximum-and-lasting-pain-on-russia
The latest sanction measures by the UK government can be found here The UK Sanctions List - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
These measures include:
- Comprehensive sanctions covering Russian elites, companies and financial institutions announced following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
- Russian bank assets in UK to be frozen totally shutting off its banking system from UK finance markets
- The UK is banning Russian state-owned and key strategic private companies from raising finance on the UK financial markets
- More than 100 companies and oligarchs at the heart of Putin’s regime hit with sanctions today worth 100s of billions of pounds, asset freezes and travel bans
- Punitive new restrictions on trade and export controls against Russia’s hi-tech and strategic industries
- Russia’s national airline Aeroflot banned from UK airspace
- New restrictions to cut off wealthy Russians’ access to UK banks
- The UK is working with allies to exclude Russia from the SWIFT financial system
It is important that manufacturers ensure their business activities are compliant with the current sanctions against Russia and seek independent legal advice if necessary. UK firms will be legally liable for failure (knowingly or otherwise) to comply with UK Sanctions law.
Trade with Russia
If you are planning to trade with Russia, you should check if your product is on the export ban list which can be found in the Russian Sanctions: Guidance document:
Russia sanctions: guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Dual use
There is a suspension of dual-use goods. You can assess your products to determine whether or not they are controlled and are subject to this suspension at the following link
Export controls: dual-use items, software and technology, goods for torture and radioactive sources - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Financial Sanctions
There are also financial sanctions relating to Russia. It is important that businesses also consult the links below, which refer to 2019 and the latest 2022 financial sanctions relating to Russia.
UK Sanctions Relating to Russia: UK sanctions relating to Russia - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Russian Sanctions: Guidance: Russia sanctions: guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Financial Guidance, Russia: Financial sanctions, Russia - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Seek Legal Advice
Companies doing business with countries subject to sanctions must accept the risks of doing so, just as they accept other political and market risks. We suggest you take legal advice if you suspect your business could be impacted.
EU measures
In addition to actions taken directly by the UK Government, the European Union (EU) has adopted a comprehensive package of restrictive sanctions. These include travel bans; asset freezes as well as restrictions on trade and investments such as import bans and further controls on dual use items. The EU has also imposed significant financial sector sanctions, energy sanctions and taken strong action in transport sector. For more details on the measures taken at an EU level please see the link below.
EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine | European Commission (europa.eu)
Please note that alongside joint action at EU level, individual EU member states may also have additional measures in place.