HOMES FOR UKRAINE SCHEME
General
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the government on 14 March 2022. This scheme allows people living in the UK to sponsor a named Ukrainian national or family to come to live in the UK with them, providing they have suitable accommodation to offer.
This is a limited residence permit that does not lead to a permanent residence however, you are allowed to change to another type of visa within the country. You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years. You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds. There is no home office fee.
If you have an international passport you don’t have to attend a Visa application centre instead you will receive permission to travel letters. Once you will arrive in the UK, you will have to submit your biometrics, and then you will be issued with BRP card.
If you don’t have an international passport you will need to attend the Visa application centre and receive your vignette visa once granted and after arrival in the UK you will collect your BRP from the Post Office that was allocated in your application form.
Ukraine family Scheme
To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme, you must:
• be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family member
• be Ukrainian, or the family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme to join a UK-based immediate family member
• have been living in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (even if you have now left Ukraine)
You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.
Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
To apply to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who has been granted permission under, or is applying to and qualifies for, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
You must also:
• have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)
• be outside of the UK
• have an eligible UK-based sponsor.
Ukraine Extension Scheme
To apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme you must:
• be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme;
• you held permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2023 – the permission does not need to cover the whole period;
• you previously held permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022.
Immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals:
If you’re not Ukrainian but your family member is, you can apply if your family member is your:
• spouse or civil partner;
• unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years);
• child aged under 18;
• parent (if you are under 18).
You can view the complete table of eligible family members here.
Time of consideration: All visas under Ukraine Scheme are considered a priority but currently, there is no time scale.
Short Guidance/Instruction for Ukrainian nationals who arrived in the UK under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ Scheme:
Every Ukrainian national who arrived in the UK under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ Scheme will be entitled to a £200 interim payment to help with subsistence costs. This will be provided by the local council.
Ukrainian nationals who come under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme will have access to public funds and, after leaving the sponsor home, they will be able to rent a property like anyone else. If they need to, they’ll be able to claim the housing part of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Will the person (Ukrainian national who arrived in the UK) be eligible for benefits and/or to work?
The UK has a welfare system that is designed to help those who face financial hardship, or who have specific needs. All those from Ukraine coming to the country under the scheme will be able to seek and take up employment.
Your local Jobcentre Plus will be able to help you find out which benefits your guest may be able to access.
This may include:
• Universal Credit – a payment for those of working age, to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income. You could be working (including self-employed or part-time) or be out of work;
• Pension Credit – extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over the State Pension age which is 66 in the UK and on a low income;
• Disability benefits – extra money to help with additional costs for those who have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability;
• Child Benefit – extra money to help with the cost of raising a child.
Oyster Cards Discounts:
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD TRAVEL FREE
What is the entitlement to housing benefits of someone coming to the UK under this scheme?
The sponsorship scheme assumes no rent will be paid.
Where someone wishes to rent privately, or when the sponsorship ends, guests will have access to public funds and will be able to rent a property like anyone else. If they need to, they’ll be able to claim the housing part of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. The UK government has useful information on renting a property which is available here.
