Home Office
Applications are processed in date order from when your documents were uploaded, or after your appointment at a visa application centre. We are working 7 days a week, but it will take some time before we can make a decision on every application.
We know that some applicants have been waiting nearly 3 weeks for their application to be processed. We are working to resolve this and speed up the processing of applications.
Overview
The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK. Your sponsor must be either:
- a named sponsor who can provide accommodation for a minimum of 6 months
- the Scottish Government
- the Welsh Government
Applicants to Scotland and Wales may previously have been considered under the super sponsor schemes, in which the governments of these nations act directly as sponsors. However, these super sponsor schemes are currently paused, so applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authorities.
It is free to apply.
You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
Eligibility
To apply to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national.
You must also:
- have been residing 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, or you can choose the Scottish or Welsh Government as your sponsor
If you are the immediate family member of a Ukrainian, your family member must also meet the requirements above.
Your UK-based sponsor does not need to register with the Homes for Ukraine Scheme if youre already in contact with them.
If your sponsor is the Scottish or Welsh Government, you do not need to arrange any accommodation this will be provided for you.
Find out more about what happens when the Scottish Government sponsors your application.
Applicants aged under 18
Children under 18 years old must either:
- apply with their parent or legal guardian
- apply to join their parent or legal guardian if theyre already in the UK
Children applying with their parent or legal guardian
If the child is applying with their parent or legal guardian, you should travel together.
If the child is applying to join their parent or legal guardian
If the child is applying to join their parent or legal guardian, they should either:
- travel to meet you before you depart, and then travel together to the UK
- collect you from the airport, port, train station or other point of entry into the UK
We advise that children do not travel via Calais, Coquelles or Dunkerque without a parent or legal guardian.
If your child applied without a parent or legal guardian, or did not apply to join them in the UK
If your child has already applied under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, they will not have received a decision because they did not apply with their parent or legal guardian or to join their parent or legal guardian.
Now, their application will be assessed. To be eligible, you must have:
-
proof of consent by their parent or legal guardian notarised or certified by the Guardianship service of the city/regional council in Ukraine; or, where the applicant is outside Ukraine, notary authorities or a Ukrainian consul.
-
proof of consent from their parent or legal guardianship to the sponsorship arrangement
-
a commitment to sponsorship for 3 years or until the child turns 18 (so long as the sponsorship lasts at least 6 months)
-
approval of the sponsorship arrangement by the local authority where the child will live.
If your child has already applied, you will receive a letter with instructions on what to do next. You can also read detailed information on GOV.UK if you are a:
Children who have not yet applied without a parent or legal guardian will be able to do so soon. We will publish guidance about this in due course.
If youre applying as the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national
An immediate family member is your:
- spouse or civil partner
- unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- child who is under 18
- parent (if you are under 18)
- fianc(e) or proposed civil partner
You and your sponsor will be subject to security and safeguarding checks.
Crown dependencies
If you applied to the Isle of Man or Guernseys Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, you must finalise your application through that Crown Dependencys process. If you need information or support, contact the relevant Crown Dependency:
- Isle of Man: ukraineguidance@gov.im
- Bailiwick of Guernsey (Guernsey, Alderney and Sark): ukraine@gov.gg
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
Fees
It is free to apply.
You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee.
Apply
You must apply online.
If you have a named sponsor, you or your sponsor can fill in the form, or you can fill it in together.
If your sponsor will be the Scottish or Welsh Government, you must fill in the form yourself. Youll be asked if youre being sponsored by an organisation. Choose the organisation option and select which government will be your sponsor from the list.
The form is aimed at the person applying to the scheme.
This application is also an application for a biometric immigration document.
By completing this application, you confirm that both the applicant and the sponsor (if you have a named sponsor) have given permission for their data to be shared and contact details used for the purpose of checks and supporting the sponsor arrangement.
If you are a sponsor applying on behalf of the applicant
Youll need to fill in the form online as if youre the applicant coming from Ukraine.
Add the applicants contact details so that they have access the application form and all the decision letters.
If the applicant has a valid Ukrainian international passport they can use the UK Immigration: ID check app to prove their identity. They will need to complete this part of the application themselves.
Read the whole guide to make sure you have everything prepared that you need before you apply.
Prove your identity
If you have a valid Ukrainian international passport
You can use the UK Immigration: ID check app to prove your identity if you have a valid Ukrainian international passport. You do not need to attend a visa application centre to give your biometric information, or apply to extend your stay once your arrive in the UK.
If your sponsor is making an application on your behalf, you will still need to use the app to prove your identity. Once your sponsor has created your account details online, they will get instructions for you to start using the app.
Using the UK Immigration: ID check app
The UK Immigration: ID check app checks your identity and verifies that the passport youre using belongs to you. Youll be told when to download the app once you begin your application online at GOV.UK - you can download the app at any time, but it w