UK Visa Scheme For Those Fleeing War In Ukraine Is Now Live

Anyone with a valid Ukrainian passport can now apply for a visa to live, work and study in the UK if they have found a named sponsor under the government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

More than two million people have already fled Ukraine into Poland - although overall figures are likely double that - following Russia’s invasion on February 24, and so far more than 150,000 British people have signed up to sponsor Ukrainians and take them into their own homes.

In order to get the visa, Ukrainian nationals must be in possession of a valid Ukrainian passport, and have found someone to sponsor them living in the UK.

There are organisations and charities currently working to match up those fleeing the conflict with those in the UK, although others are using social media to connect and find sponsors.

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Once in receipt of a visa, Ukrainian nationals will have rights to work and study whilst living in the UK, as well as access to public funds such as benefits.

Both visa applicants and sponsors will be subject to security and safeguarding checks before documentation is granted.

Successful applicants will be allowed to remain in the UK for three years.

The process is free for those who wish to apply, and they will not have to pay an immigration health surcharge or a biometric enrolment fee to participate in the scheme.

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme was announced at the beginning of this week, but the formal application process for those on the Ukrainian side has only started today.

In the UK, people can volunteer to offer out their spare room or an empty property to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict with Russia for a minimum period of six months.

Whilst there has been a huge amount of support from the public, the exact details of how the scheme will work are still to be determined.

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Hosts are not allowed to charge rent from their guests, and are at no obligation to provide food or living expenses, although they can, should they so wish.

Anyone who agrees to open their home will receive a £350 per month ‘thank you’ payment from the government for up to 12 months.

Ministers have confirmed that the £350 payment will not affect entitlement to benefits or council tax status.

Local authorities will also be given £10,000 per refugee in order to provide ‘wrap-around support’.

Those who come to the UK will be given access to healthcare, benefits, employment support, free education and English lessons.

The visa application form can be found here, and the application to host those fleeing Ukraine can be found here.