Information for Ukrainians

INFORMATION UPDATED ON 19 MARCH 2024

The UK Government has launched multiple schemes to support Ukrainian nationals to travel and/or remain in the UK.

  • If you are looking to come to the UK, please see options 1 and 2 below in the drop down menu. Please note, the Ukrainian Family Scheme has now closed.
  • If you already live in the UK and wish to extend your stay, please see options 3 and 4 in the drop down menu.
  • Options 5 and 6 provide advice about claiming asylum and support you can receive whilst in the UK.
  • If you are outside of the UK and would like advice about the country you are in, please see option 7.

Please note that UNHCR UK is currently not involved in any of these schemes.

1. Ukraine Family Scheme

THE UKRAINE FAMILY SCHEME HAS NOW CLOSED.

The Ukraine Family Scheme opened in March 2022 and allowed eligible Ukrainian nationals to join their family members or extend their stay in the UK. Under the Ukraine Family Scheme, applicants were able to stay in the UK for up to three years, work, study, and access public funds.

Applications to the Ukraine Family Scheme closed at 3 pm on 19 February 2024.

2. Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS SCHEME WAS UPDATED ON 19TH FEBRUARY 2024. SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to apply to come to the UK and stay with a UK-based sponsor who is willing to provide them with accommodation for a minimum period of six months.

As of 19th of February 2024, sponsors must be British or Irish Citizens or be ‘settled in the UK’ (which means having the right to live in the UK permanently).

People arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK and access public services for up to 18 months.

Who is eligible for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?

  • Ukrainian nationals or the immediate family members of a Ukrainian national who were resident in Ukraine before 1 January 2022 are eligible for the scheme (this includes Ukrainian nationals who left Ukraine after 1 January 2022).
  • You must also be outside of the UK and have an eligible UK-based sponsor,

More information about the eligibility criteria for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme can be found here: Gov UK | Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

How can I apply for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?

UNHCR UK is not involved in the application process. Applications should be made directly to the UK Government’s Home Office at : Gov UK – Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.  The application is free of charge.

You can also call the free 24/7 UK Home Office helpline on +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 from within the UK, or +44 175 390 7510) for help with any questions about the scheme.

I don’t have a UK sponsor. Can I get help in finding a sponsor?

Unfortunately, UNHCR is unable to help you find a sponsor. However, the UK government has provided a list of approved organisations that can help match Ukrainians with hosts. You can find this list here: Find a sponsor using recognised providers: Homes for Ukraine – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Who can be a sponsor?

Please note that the sponsor eligibility requirements under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme have now changed.

As of 19 February 2024, those sponsoring Ukrainian nationals under the Homes for Ukraine scheme must be British or Irish citizens, or already have settled status in the UK.

This means that you can no longer sponsor Ukrainians if you have temporary permission to stay in the UK, or if you are a Ukrainian national who has arrived in the UK through one of the Ukraine schemes.

How can I sponsor someone?

If you have a specific  person whom you wish to sponsor, you should get in contact with them directly and be prepared to fill in a visa application with all of your details and their details.

If you don’t know anyone who you can sponsor, the UK government has provided a list of approved organisations that can help match Ukrainians with sponsors in the UK and help people living in the UK to become sponsors, as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. These organisations can also support sponsors by providing information on what it’s like to be a sponsor. You can find this list here: Find a sponsor using recognised providers: Homes for Ukraine – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).  For further information about eligibility requirements under this scheme, security checks, and the support available to sponsors please visit Homes for Ukraine scheme: frequently asked questions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What will happen if I am accepted for the scheme?

Please note that the permission requirements under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme have now changed.

As of 3 pm on 19 February 2024, those who have submitted an application under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and who have succeeded in their application, will be granted 18 months’ permission to reside in the UK.

3. Ukraine Extension Scheme

THE UKRAINE EXTENSION SCHEME WILL CLOSE FOR ADULT CLAIMANTS ON 16TH MAY 2024

The Ukraine Extension Scheme will close for adult claimants on the 16th of May 2024.

Before the closure of the Ukraine Extension Scheme, you can still apply under the scheme if one of the following is true:

  • You had permission to be in the UK on or between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023 – the permission does not need to cover the whole period.

OR

  • You had permission to be in the UK and that permission expired on or after 1 January 2022.

The Ukraine Extension Scheme will remain open after 16 May 2024 ONLY FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN IN THE UK and only if one of the following is true:

  • You have permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine schemes (this includes the Ukraine Family Scheme)
  • You qualify under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

More information regarding the eligibility criteria for the Ukraine Extension Scheme can be found here: Gov UK – Apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme. 

What rights would I have under the Ukraine Extension Scheme?

Those who are granted permission to remain in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access public .

How do I apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme?

UNHCR is not involved in the application process, and applications should be made directly to the UK Government’s Home Office at: Gov UK – Apply to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme. 

4. Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme is a new scheme that the UK government announced on 18 February 2024

Under the new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, Ukrainian nationals who have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the other Ukraine schemes may be able to apply for a further 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK.

Please note, the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme are two different schemes.

Who is eligible for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme?

The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will be available to those who have come to the UK through one of the Ukraine schemes:

  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
  • Ukraine Family Scheme
  • Ukraine Extension Scheme

You may also be eligible if you previously had permission to remain under a Ukraine scheme and now hold a valid visa to remain in the UK.

More information about the eligibility criteria can be found here: Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme information – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

How can I apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme?

APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN FROM EARLY 2025.

You will generally be able to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme within the last 3 months of your existing visa. Further details will be available at Ukraine Permission Extension scheme information – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) before the scheme opens. Please note that UNHCR is not involved in the application process.

5. How to claim asylum in the UK as a Ukrainian

Ukrainians are strongly recommended to seek legal advice before applying for visas or seeking asylum.

  • Settled is a charity that provides immigration advice to Ukrainians who want to travel to UK, and to Ukrainians who are already in the UK and need support. You can contact them via email: [email protected]
  • Ukraine Advice Project UK is an initiative by qualified lawyers, led by law firm DLA Piper who are providing free legal information on UK visas and refugee rules. You can find out more about the initiative on the Ukraine Advice Project UK website.
  • You can find a solicitor in the UK on the Law Society website. Search “Legal Issue & Changing Countries”, and enter your postcode, town or city.

6. Support for Ukrainians in the UK

If you have questions regarding the type of support available to Ukrainians in the UK, we recommend contacting the relevant local authority. You can find the contact details of your Local Authority at: Find Your Local Council. The Local Authority should be able to provide advice regarding benefits they might be entitled to in the UK.

The government has published a welcome guide to provide you with information on your rights and how to access services: Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for guests – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The British Red Cross have also produced translated guides to help you understand your rights and find out about services you are able to access: Help for Ukrainian Refugees in the UK | British Red Cross

You can also contact one of the below organisations:

British Red Cross– This national organisation has services across the UK, and provides dedicated support to Ukrainians in the UK, including counselling, benefits and career advice. Please find further details on their website, and contact details below:

Barnardo’s – has set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline and offers advice on a range of issues including housing, accessing key health services, education, and employment.

7. Support for Ukrainians in Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries