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Ukrainian Londoners

Last updated: 30 July 2024

There are two main routes by which most Ukrainians can seek sanctuary in the UK:

  1. Ukrainian Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)
  2. Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme 

Applications under all Ukrainian schemes are free of charge. Further details on these schemes, as well as on how you can access immigration advice and find help on your arrival, can be found below.

The UK Government has produced a Welcome Guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK which is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

The British Red Cross prepared an information document with advice for Ukrainians arriving in the UK in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
 

Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Home for Ukraine. The Homes for Ukraine Scheme is open to Ukrainian nationals who were residents in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022. It is also open to their immediate family members. 

You will need to match with an eligible sponsor in the UK.  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) and be able to provide accommodation for a minimum of 6 months. 

There are many ways to find a match, however it is important to safeguard yourself and use a trusted matching platform, such as the Reset service for community welcome.

It is free to apply for the scheme and if successful you will be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to three years or 18 months for applications submitted after 3pm on the 19 February 2024.

Those who are granted a visa under the Ukraine schemes are able to work, rent a home, and access public funds and services, such as medical treatment and education.
 

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme includes people who want to sponsor an unaccompanied child. These sponsors will need to go through safeguarding checks. Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. The UK has many laws which aim to keep children safe and protect their rights.

Children are unaccompanied if they intend to travel or live without their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This includes children who intend to travel with or be sponsored by an adult relative who is not their parent or legal guardian.

These applications are free. If successful, children will be able to stay in the UK for up to 18 months. They will have access to the same rights and services as other children, such as medical treatment and education.

Children who become old enough will also be able to work, rent a home, and access to financial support from the government (called ‘public funds’), which is available for people who have limited or no income in the UK.

To be eligible, the child must:

  • have an immediate family member who is Ukrainian;
  • have been residents in Ukraine before 1 January 2022 or have been born after that date; and
  • have applied from Ukraine or from any other country except the UK.

Children applying under this scheme must also have two forms of parental consent.

Sponsors must also meet eligibility criteria, which includes an approval process by the local council. Potential sponsors can find more information here and read detailed guidance for sponsors.

Detailed guidance about the scheme is available for children’s parent(s) and legal guardian(s) in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
 

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme is due to open for applications in early 2025. The scheme will: 

  • Provide an additional 18 months of permission to remain in the UK to eligible applicants 
  • Provide the same entitlements as other Ukraine schemes to access work, benefits, healthcare, and education

The application is free. Anyone who has permission to remain in the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme, or the Ukraine Extension Scheme is eligible to apply. It is also available to people who used to have permission to remain in the UK under the Ukraine schemes but who has since switched to a different UK visa. 

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 from March 2025. Further details will be published on the gov.uk website before this scheme opens. 
 

Previous schemes

The Ukraine Family Scheme allowed applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. This scheme closed at 3pm on 19 February 2024. You will still receive a decision if you applied before it closed. 

You must have been resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022. It was free to apply for the scheme and if successful you will be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to three years.

Those who are granted a visa under the Ukraine schemes are able to work, rent a home, and access public funds and services, such as medical treatment and education.
    
If you were previously eligible for the Ukraine Family Scheme but you did not apply before it closed on 19 February 2024, you may apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme instead. 
 

A Ukrainian national previously could qualify for an extension of their permission to be in the UK under the Ukraine Extension Scheme if they were:

  • in the UK with immigration permission on 18 March 2022
  • in the UK with immigration permission between 18 March 2022 and 16 May 2022
  • if their last permission ended after 1 January 2022

Those who were are granted a visa under the Ukraine schemes can work, rent a home, and access public funds and services, such as medical treatment and education.

The Ukraine Extension Scheme closed for most new applications on 16 May 2024. This scheme remains open for children who are born in the UK so long as the child’s parent has permission to be in the UK under any one of the Ukraine Schemes. 

It is free to apply for the scheme. If you are successful then your child can stay in the UK for up to three years.
 

Proving immigration status

You will be required to prove your immigrations status to third parties (for example, employers, landlords, banks, universities). You can share your status by logging into your UKVI Account and choosing to ‘digitally share’ it.

For further information about your UKVI Account and your digital status please visit our page on eVisas.

Advice and support

Advice may be beneficial if you are unsure about your immigration matters or your situation is complicated. If you are not eligible for the Ukraine schemes, you may be eligible for an alternative immigration status. 

All immigration advisors must be regulated to give immigration advice. 

When an advisor is regulated, this means that an independent organisation oversees their practice. Regulatory organisations enforce good standards and professional conduct. It is important to find regulated immigration lawyers and avoid ‘rogue lawyers’ who might claim to be experts but who are not regulated.

You can access free UK immigration advice which is specific to Ukrainians from qualified and regulated lawyers through:

Please see our dedicated sections for detailed information about immigration advice, finding a lawyer, and how to work with them. You can also find further information on the Right to Remain website.
 

London Plus has created a list of organisations offering support to those affected by the crisis in Ukraine. This includes charities and community groups, with a particular focus on London-based organisations.

You can also contact your local council. Find your local council. 

You can also search for details of free migrant support services using our interactive map.
 

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