Ukraine Scheme

Two Ukrainian passports on a table.

The UK has 2 different schemes in place to support Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who wish to either come to or remain in the UK. The visa routes: Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) and Ukraine Extension Scheme. These are collectively known as Ukraine Scheme.

The Ukraine Family Scheme closed on 19 February 2024. You can no longer apply under this scheme. If you were previously eligible the Ukraine Family Scheme, you may be eligible to apply to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

Ukrainians with permission to stay in the UK under any of these routes can work, study and have access to public funds.

Ukraine Visa Schemes

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.

To apply 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 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 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

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.

For further guidance: Apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Ukraine Extension Scheme allowed you to stay in the UK if you were Ukrainian or the close family member of a Ukrainian national. The Ukraine Extension Scheme closed 16 May 2024 to most new applications. Applications submitted after 23:59 on 16 May 2024 will not be considered.

However, the Ukraine Extension Scheme will remain open after 16 May 2024 for children who are born in the UK to apply for permission to stay.

You can apply for your child to have permission under the Ukraine Extension Scheme if both of the following is true:

  •            you have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes (including the Ukraine Family Scheme)
  •            your child was born in the UK

This route does not require a UK-based sponsor.

Your child must be in the UK when the application is made.

It is free to apply. You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee.

For further guidance: Apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will allow eligible applicants to apply to remain in the UK for an additional 18 months.

Applications will open from early 2025.

You will generally be able to apply within the last 3 months of your existing visa.

For example, if your existing visa is due to expire in May 2025, you will be able to apply March 2025.

 

How to find a Sponsor? 

Government provided a list of voluntary and community sector organisations running programmes which help to match people coming from Ukraine with sponsors in the UK and help people living in the UK to become sponsors, as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Find a sponsor using recognised providers: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Here is a practical guide with updated recommendations by Opora. (in Ukrainian) 

We are aware that there are many Facebook (and other social media) matching sites. Some of them may be working to exploit vulnerable people, and encouraging people to share personal data. Although some positive matches will come from social media sites, we would advise against unregulated groups and recommend working with trusted groups and organisations instead.

Donations and help

If you want to make financial donations to support Ukrainians affected by the war there are a number of organisations in the UK receiving donations and coordinating support as well as international organisations.

The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) have launched a Ukraine humanitarian appeal where you can donate to support Ukrainian families. DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance.

The British Red Cross have a Ukraine Crisis Appeal and are accepting donations to support them with their operations assisting newly arrived Ukrainians in the UK as well as contributing to their international response by providing emergency provisions, healthcare and other support to families in Ukraine.

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) are running a GoFundMe page to support Ukrainian refugees, they accept monetary donations to fund food, hygiene and medical packs, and other everyday essentials with specifications set by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO). There are many branches throughout the UK and you can find support in your local area.

Volunteering

Volunteering may be a useful way to provide support to those affected by the Ukraine crisis.

You can contact your local volunteer advice centre for information on volunteering opportunities in your area.

Volunteer to give legal advice

To volunteer to give pro bono legal advice, please contact projectu@dlapiper.com with the email subject line “volunteer.”

You can contact your local volunteer advice centre for information on volunteering opportunities in your area.