Support for Ukrainian nationals

The Ukraine Extension Scheme

The Ukraine Extension Scheme allows Ukrainians and close family members of Ukrainians to come to the UK. This route allows individuals to work, live and study in the UK. In order to be eligible to this scheme, individuals must meet one of the following:

• Have held their permission to be in the UK on or between the 18th March 2022 and 16th May 2022.

• Previously held permission to be in the UK and the permission expired on or after 1st January 2022.

In addition to meeting either one of the previous points, applicants must be either a Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme.

What counts as an immediate family member?

If you wish to apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme as a relative of a Ukrainian national, then your relative must be one of the following:

• Your spouse or civil partner.

• Your unmarried partner (you must have been cohabiting as part of a relationship for at least 2 years).

• Your child under the age of 18.

• Your parent (if you are under 18).

How long can I stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme?

The Ukraine Extension Scheme will grant individuals with 3 years leave to remain in the UK, however, it does not lead to settlement in the UK.

How much does it cost to apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme?

It is free to apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme. Applicants are not required to pay the immigration health surcharge or a biometric enrolment fee.

How do I apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme?

Applications must be made online.

As part of the application process, applicants are required to provide biometric information (fingerprints and a facial photograph). However, as mentioned there is no fee for this.

Ukraine Extension Scheme: Key Contacts

If you require to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) about the Ukraine Extension Scheme then you can call: + 44 808 164 8810 (selection option 1). This telephone line is in operation Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:30 and calls are  free of charge.

Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine, allows Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK regardless of their family ties to the nation. In a nutshell the Homes for Ukraine Scheme relies on the generosity of the British public and encourages people of the UK to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees. 

To date over 100,000 people from Ukraine are in the UK and living with a UK sponsor.

Information for UK ‘sponsors’

To become a sponsor for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, you must be able to provide suitable accommodation for at least six months. In return for this generosity, hosts will receive a a £350 ‘thank-you payment’ every month for the first 12 months - this rises to £500 per month in the second 12 months (should you still be a sponsor).

What is classified as ‘adequate accommodation’?

If you wish to be a sponsor, you must be able to offer at least an empty room which is safe, heated and free from health hazards (a shared space or sofa bed in a sitting room is not acceptable). The guest must also have access to bathroom and kitchen facilities.

What if I can no longer act as a sponsor?

If you need to end your sponsorship before the 6-months, then you must inform your local council as soon as possible. Once they have this information, your local council will do their best to find alternative accommodation for your sponsee.

If you don’t wish to continue this arrangement after the minimum term of 6-months then you must let your guests know (give at least a two months notice period) so that they can find alternative arrangements.

Can I charge rent?

No, under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme you cannot charge rent. Instead, the government will offer those providing accommodation £350 per month (for up to 12-months).

What checks can I expect?

To successfully become a sponsor, there are multiple checks which need to be completed:

• Households will be checked by your local council to ensure that they are suitable.

• An Enhanced DBS check may be required if you are hosting children under 18 years old or vulnerable adults.

Information for applicants

To apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must:

• Be a Ukrainian national (or an immediate family of a Ukrainian national who has either benefited from the scheme or is eligible to apply to it).

• Have been residing in Ukraine on, or immediately before, the 1st January 2022.

• Be applying from outside of the UK.

• Have an eligible UK-based sponsor.

Children applying to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must either be applying with their parent or legal guardian, applying to join their parent or legal guardian if they are already in the UK, or applying with the consent of their parent or legal guardian to come to the UK and live with and approved sponsor.

What counts as an immediate family member?

If you wish to apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme as a relative of a Ukrainian national, then your relative must be one of the following:

• Your spouse or civil partner.

• Your unmarried partner (you must have been cohabiting as part of a relationship for at least 2 years).

• Your child under the age of 18.

• Your parent (if you are under 18).

How long can I stay in the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme will grant individuals with 3 years leave to remain in the UK. When in the UK individuals will be able to work and access public funds and claim benefits.

How much does it cost to apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?

It is free to apply to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. Applicants are not required to pay the immigration health surcharge or a biometric enrolment fee.

How do I apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?

Applications must be made online.

As part of the application process, applicants are required to provide biometric information (fingerprints and a facial photograph). However, as mentioned there is no fee for this.

Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: Key Contacts

If you require to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) about the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme then you can call: + 44 808 164 8810 (selection option 1). This telephone line is in operation Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:30 and calls are  free of charge.