Phase One of the UK government’s long awaited Homes for Ukraine scheme opened on Friday18 March for visa applications. This scheme offers a route to those who want to come to the UK who have someone here willing to provide them with a home for at least six months. To be eligible for the scheme, an applicant must be a Ukrainian national (or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national) and they must have been resident in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022. 

Those coming to the UK under this scheme are able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and are able to access healthcare, benefits, education and English language tuition. Sponsors will receive a payment of £350 per month.   

Anyone wanting to come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme must first obtain a visa and should not travel to the UK until they have received an official permission letter. 

So far over 150,000 people have registered an interest in the scheme.   Further information about the scheme is available here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme