On 19th February 2024, the UK Government announced changes to the Homes for Ukraine visa scheme, Please eligibility details below and for more information, follow this link to the Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for guests
Overview
The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to come to the UK. Everyone must make a separate application, even children travelling with a family member.
Your sponsor must be:
- a British or Irish citizen, or be ‘settled in the UK’ (which means having the right to live in the UK permanently)
- able to provide accommodation for a minimum of 6 months
Applicants to Scotland and Wales may previously have been considered under the super sponsor schemes, in which the governments of these nations act directly as sponsors. However, these super sponsor schemes are currently paused, so applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authorities.
It is free to apply.
If your application is successful, you will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
Eligibility
To apply to the Homes for 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 and qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
You must also:
- have been living 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
Your UK-based sponsor does not need to register with the Homes for Ukraine Scheme if you’re already in contact with them.
Applicants aged under 18
Children under 18 years old must either:
- apply at the same time as their parent or legal guardian
- apply to join their parent or legal guardian if they’re already in the UK
- apply with the consent of their parent or legal guardian to travel to the UK as an ‘eligible minor’ to join an approved sponsor
Children applying at the same time as their parent or legal guardian
If the child is applying with their parent or legal guardian, they should travel together.
Children applying to join their parent or legal guardian
If the child is applying to join their parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian should either:
- travel to meet the child before they depart, and then travel together to the UK
- collect the child from the airport, port, train station or other point of entry into the UK
Children who are not applying to travel with or join their parent or legal guardian
To be eligible, the child must have:
- proof of consent by their parent or legal guardian notarised or certified by the Guardianship Service of the city or regional council in Ukraine; or, where the child is in another country, notary authorities in that country or by the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate.
- proof of consent from their parent or legal guardian to the sponsorship arrangement
- a commitment to sponsorship for 18 months or until the child turns 18, whichever is sooner (so long as the sponsorship lasts at least 6 months)
- approval of the sponsorship arrangement by the local council where the child will live.
If the child applied before 10 August 2022, they will have received a letter with instructions on what to do next.
You can also read detailed information on GOV.UK if you are a:
If you’re applying as the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national
An immediate family member is your:
- spouse or civil partner
- unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner
- child who is under 18
- parent (if you are under 18)
How long you can stay
If your application is successful, you can stay in the UK for up to 18 months.
Fees
It is free to apply.
You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee.
For more information, and to apply, follow this link to Apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
Page updated 23/02/24