Homes for Ukraine
The UK Homes for Ukraine Scheme allows people to offer a home to Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war.
Become a host
You can become a host on the scheme if you have a spare room or property and would like to offer this to a Ukrainian national or family. You will be their sponsor. Anyone in the UK who has not been matched with a Ukrainian person or family can use this service, as long as you :
- can offer a spare room or home for at least six months
- do not have a criminal record
- are over the age of 18
If you want to sponsor someone applying for a visa, on the date of your guest’s visa application you must be one of the following:
- a British citizen
- an Irish citizen
- settled in the UK, known as having ‘indefinite leave to remain’
If you are interested in hosting a Ukrainian refugee, more information can be found on the Homes for Ukraine: record your interest.
Hosts may receive monthly Thank You Payments of £350 for up to 12 months, depending on their guest’s visa status. These payments apply where guests are on a Homes for Ukraine visa or their initial Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) visa. Thank You Payments are not available where the host and guest are close family members, or once a guest moves onto a further 24 month UPE visa.
If you have any questions or would like to have an informal conversation about hosting, contact our Homes for Ukraine team, details below.
How we support hosts
We support hosts in our borough who have committed to helping a refugee. We will:
- conduct welfare visits routinely to make sure things are going well
- try to resolve any issues that may arise
- administer 'thank you' payments to hosts
- be on hand to discuss any questions
How we support guests
We are here to support guests from Ukraine in our borough. We will conduct welfare visits to make sure that guests are in safe environments and placements are going well.
Our dedicated Outreach team can answer your questions and try to resolve any issues that arise. The team also finds and recommends activities and programmes for our guests ranging from employment advice to clubs for children, as well as keep guests up to date with relevant news.
Each guest arriving in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme is entitled to a one-off £200 welcome payment to help with immediate costs.To claim your welcome payment, or for any other advice or support, contact our team, details below.
Apply for a Homes for Ukraine visa
If you are looking for how to apply for a Homes for Ukraine Visa, please visit Apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme for all the key information.
Homes for Ukraine schemes: recent changes
Sponsorship Scheme
Remains open, but visas issued under it will now be valid for 18 months, as opposed to three years previously. The guidance also contains new documentation and sponsorship requirements, for example that sponsors must have a permanent right to live in the UK.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
If you have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes, you may be able to apply for a further 18 months permission to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
If your initial period of UPE permission is coming to an end, you may be eligible to apply for a further 24-month extension under the scheme. You’ll be able to apply for this extension 90 days before your current UPE permission expires. It is crucial to apply for UPE before your current visa expires.
Further information
Guides for hosts and guests
The UK government has developed useful guides for:
Website for Ukranians
Ukraine Refugee Help is a useful website for Ukrainians in the UK, providing links to important information and advice.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Contact the Homes for Ukraine team to subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter for guests and hosts. We will keep you informed on relevant news, policy changes, support and activities available locally.
Contact us
Contact our Homes for Ukraine team:
- email [email protected]