The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Assistance: If you need any assistance, please call the 24/7 free helpline +44 808 164 8810 (0808       164 8810 if you’re in or outside the UK).

If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.

Eligibility:

To apply to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, who:

• has been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)
• is currently outside the UK
• has a UK-based sponsor who is eligible for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

You and your sponsor will be subject to security and safeguarding checks.

Fee: £0

Conditions: You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds for an initial period of 3-years.

Supporting Documents:

If you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport or an expired Ukrainian international passport with a formal extension stamp issued by the Ukrainian government

If you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport or an expired Ukrainian international passport with a formal extension stamp issued by the Ukrainian government, you will need to complete an application online, but you do not need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to give your biometric information.

Uploading Supporting Documents

You must upload a copy of the photograph page of your valid or expired Ukrainian international passport.

If you are applying with an expired Ukrainian international passport you must upload a copy of the page where the formal extension stamp issued by the Ukrainian government is shown.

You must provide documents that show the identity of your UK-based sponsor. For example a:

• passport
• driving licence
• national identity card
• biometric residence permit

If you have them, you should also provide any documents that show you were residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022.

You can upload your documents using the commercial partner document upload app. This will be either TLS or VFS depending on which country you are applying in. You can download the app from the TLS or VFS website when you make your application

Official permission letter

Once your application has been processed you will receive an official permission letter from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) confirming that you can travel to the UK.

The permission letter will allow you to board a plane or other form of transport to the UK.

At the UK border

Border Force, airlines and carriers will be informed that customers with valid Ukrainian passports who have been accepted under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme will be issued with a letter confirming they have permission to travel to the UK without a UK visa in their passport.

When you arrive in the UK, you will need to show your permission letter to Border Force officers who will endorse your passport with a 6-month entry stamp.

The 6-month entry stamp is evidence of your right to work, study and claim benefits in the UK.

If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport

If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

If you have a Ukrainian domestic passport or ID card, you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

Visa Application Centers

You do not need to book an appointment at a VAC to provide your biometric information if you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport.

You will need to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a VAC as part of your application. Children under the age of 5 who do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport will not have their fingerprints taken but will still need to book and attend a VAC appointment and have a digital photograph taken.

Visa application centre availability

VACs in Ukraine are currently closed. You can apply at a VAC in any country if you are able to travel safely.

There is a temporary VAC for people applying for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Rzeszow, Poland. You’ll need to complete your online application and book an appointment before attending the Rzeszow VAC – walk-in appointments are no longer accepted.

Fee: £0

Conditions: You will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds for an initial period of 3-years.