Sponsorship and Entry

Overview

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme is a unique pathway that has been established by the U.K. Government to specifically support those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. In particular, it allows individuals in the U.K. to sponsor a named Ukrainian national or family to come and live in the U.K. with them, providing they have suitable accommodation.

While the Homes for Ukraine Scheme is amongst the most generous in Europe, there is no formal mechanism in place to match U.K. hosts and Ukrainian nationals. Incredulously, this crucial and pivotal step relies wholly on the goodwill of charities and civil society.

We believe it is unfair to require Ukrainian nationals — who are scared, exhausted, and traumatised — to match with a U.K. host, navigate the guidance, complete a complex visa application, and make the necessary preparations to arrive in the U.K.

With a dedicated team of caseworkers, we can ensure the process for Ukrainian nationals to find sanctuary in the U.K. is more compassionate, more dignified, and more humane.

We offer:

How can we help?

Careful matching of U.K. hosts and Ukrainian nationals

Arrangement of Biometric Residence Permit

Guidance on enrolling children in local schools

Assistance with finding jobs + vocational training

Dedicated UKVI visa application submission

Guidance on accessing the NHS + healthcare

Guidance on creating a U.K. bank account

Assistance with travel support from Ukraine

Dedicated APHA license application submission for pets

Guidance on assessing benefits

Arranging English language tutoring

Provision of a U.K. sim card + access to technology

How does it work?

1

We will match a U.K. host with a Ukrainian national based on the unique circumstances, expectations and interests of both parties. Once a provisional match has been made, we will facilitate a Zoom call so both parties can e-meet each other. Once a match has been confirmed, we will create a secure and dedicated WhatsApp group with both parties so we can share important updates.

Matching

2

Upon arrival, we will help the Ukrainian national(s) provide biometrics and obtain their e-visa, which extends their ‘leave to remain’ to the full 18 months. If required, through our wonderful network of volunteers across the breadth of the U.K., we can also facilitate travel from the port of arrival directly to the home of the U.K. host, or other place of residency.

Arrival to the U.K.

3

Our team will then collect the relevant information and documentation from both parties, and complete the protracted visa application(s) to remove this burden from both the U.K. host and Ukrainian national. If required, our team will also collected the necessary information to submit Animal and Plant Health Agency license applications for any pets that are travelling.

Visa Application

4

Once a visa has been issued by the Home Office, we can assist with guidance on the safest route of travel, and — where available — provide free flight/train/ferry/coach tickets from select companies across Europe. The visa will allow the Ukrainian national entry to the U.K. for up to 6 months, and the immediate right to study, work, and access appropriate benefits.

Travel to the U.K.

What happens next?

To help the Ukrainian national(s) settle here as comfortably and smoothly as possible, we help with everything — from registering with a GP, to finding a job, to searching for school places for children, to introductions to other Ukrainians who now live here, and so much more. Our dedicated team of caseworkers continue to remain at hand for almost anything and everything.

Eligibility

If you would like to find safety in the U.K under our Sponsorship and Entry service, you must:

  • Be a Ukrainian (🇺🇦) national who was resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022

  • Be currently present outside of the U.K.

We highly recommend that you read the further guidance prepared by the U.K. Government, but please contact us if you are unsure.

Would you like help?

If you are in need of assistance, or for any other queries regarding our Sponsorship and Entry service, please email us at sanctuary@nadiya.org.uk.

Please note that we are experiencing significant demand and we will aim to respond with 48 hours.

Feedback

“Hello, we are two sisters: Oleksandra and Lilia! In the summer, when the tension from the war and fear for the lives of our children became more and more unbearable, we decided that it was time to look for information and leave Ukraine. We stumbled upon Nadiya by chance and wrote a letter asking for help. They answered us very quickly and offered help and support. To be honest, there were many fears and doubts whether these are really people you can trust. But we tried and made no mistakes and are very happy that fate brought us together with such wonderful people as Derek, Anna and their team! Throughout the entire process, they provided us with support and information, helped with documents. We found a wonderful family where we feel completely safe. We are very happy that we got to this wonderful country, to the beautiful family of Colin & Lynda. 

We would like to thank the whole team for their tireless work, big hearts and endless help”

Oleksandra from Odesa, Ukraine with her son Oleksandr, her sister Liliia, and her nephew Maksym, at their hosts’ Colin and Lynda’s home in Milton Keynes, England.

FAQs

  • The successful issuance of a visa will entitle the holder to live in the U.K. for 3 years, and will also have the right to work, study and access benefits. Please note that the initial Permission to Travel letter, which permits entry to the U.K., will be valid for 6 months. Upon arrival into the U.K., applicants must seek a Biometric Residence Permit to ensure their ‘full leave to remain’ of 3 years.

  • No, there is no charge whatsoever. This is a completely free service.

  • The Homes for Ukraine Scheme was established by the U.K. Government specifically for Ukrainian nationals fleeing the crisis in Ukraine. However, we are actively participating in ongoing efforts to encourage the U.K. Government in establishing similar schemes for refugees of other nationalities.