FAQ for Ukrainian individuals in the UK

All three visas on the Ukraine Scheme allow the visa holder to work, study, rent a property and access the NHS free of charge.

The visa will have access to public funds, which means that they can apply for welfare benefits such as Child Benefit, Universal Credit or Personal Independent Payment (PIP) and access housing and homelessness assistance from the local authority.

Under the Ukraine Family Scheme, there is no requirement for visa holders to be accommodated by the sponsor. However, the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) requires that sponsors are able to offer accommodation for up to 6 months to the visa holder. Neither visa route is subject to an accommodation requirement and visa holders may choose to seek alternative accommodation elsewhere. Under the Homes for Ukraine, if a sponsorship breaks down the local authority will assist with finding alternative accommodation and can support with re-matching the visa holder with a new sponsor.

The Housing and Homelessness regulations allow local authorities to provide homelessness assistance to those on the Ukraine Scheme.

The process for enrolling or collecting biometrics in the UK depends on whether the visa holder undertook biometrics abroad at a Visa Application Centre or used the deferred biometrics process. Those who used the deferred process must enrol biometrics in the UK at an approved site whilst those who undertook biometrics abroad must collect their BRP at a nominated post office. This should normally be a location close to the visa holder’s accommodation. Please refer to the Home Office guidance on biometrics for further information and guidance.

From 6 April 2022, you can evidence your right to work/rent using a share code only. Employers/landlords are no longer able to accept physical documents for the purposes of a right to work/rent check even if they show a later expiry date. You can prove your right to work and rent using the following the links, and employers and landlords can check someone’s right to work and rent too:

• Prove your right to work
• Prove your right to rent
• Check an applicant’s right to work
• Check a tenant’s right to rent

Home Office guidance also supports employers and landlords to carry out checks on those with leave under the Ukraine Scheme.

To open a bank account in the UK you will need ID and this can be in various forms such as a Biometric Residence Permit or passport. Some banks may also ask for proof of address. There is a guidance page to support Ukrainians to open bank accounts in the UK.

Under the Ukraine Scheme you will be given up to 3 years leave to remain although many will be provided with an initial grant of 6 months at the UK border. Currently, there is no direct route to settlement on the scheme so at the end of the 3 years leave to remain, visa holders will need to apply to extend their leave in the UK via whatever appropriate route.

There does exist a long route to settlement in which people with valid leave in the UK can qualify for settlement after 10 years.

It is important to seek immigration advice from an accredited immigration adviser regarding what options there may be to extend your leave in the UK.

Ukrainians wishing to travel and in the absence of a passport or valid travel document can contact the Ukrainian embassy about whether they can apply for travel document. There may also be the possibility of applying for a travel document from the Home Office if they cannot get a travel document from the Ukrainian authorities. You can seek immigration advice about applying for a travel document via the Home Office and what other options may exist. There are no restrictions to travelling and visa holders are permitted to leave and re-enter the UK.

Please take a look at the UK government’s guidance and recommended providers:

Continuing to live with your host or rematching: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Find a sponsor using recognised providers: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For further information on anything in this FAQ guide please contact ukraine.enquiries@migrationyorkshire.org.uk