Anyone in the UK (of any nationality and any immigration status providing they have at least six months leave to remain in the UK) with a spare room or space can register to help. However the sponsor requires the names and details of a Ukrainian they wish to sponsor for the form.
People or organisations wanting to be sponsors who do not know anyone personally fleeing Ukraine are able to register their interest in being a sponsor. An optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month will be offered to people who can accommodate one or more families.
Eligibility
Ukrainians are eligible for the scheme if they are a Ukrainian national or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, and were resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022.
Ukrainians who arrive in the UK under this scheme are entitled to:
- . live and work in the UK for up to three years; and
- . have access to healthcare;, benefits, education, employment support and English language tuition.
Any Ukrainian with a passport is able to be sponsored and those who do not have a biometric passport will need to attend a biometric appointment on arrival in the UK.
Terms
Accommodation must be available rent-free for at least 6 months. A sponsor is not required to provide anything else such as food or clothing, but may choose to.
Eligibility checks will be carried out for both applicants and sponsors. Sponsors may receive a visit to their home, for example from a local council to check that the accommodation is appropriate in the circumstances.
Overall
There will be no limit or cap on the sponsorship route. The UK will welcome as many Ukrainians, with their immediate family members, as wish to come and for whom there are sponsors.
The initial applications represent phase one of the scheme. It is not clear at this stage what further phases will be introduced.
Our Citizenship and Immigration team are available to answer any questions you may have with regard to this scheme and the process of applying.
