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.
From 1 April 2025, hosts can receive a thank you payment of £350 per month. This payment applies to all hosts, regardless of whether their guest holds a Homes for Ukraine visa or a Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) visa. Hosts and guests who are in a close family relationship are no longer eligible to receive thank you payments.
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
Ukraine Family Visa Scheme
Closed to new applications from 19 February 2024. Visas already issued under the scheme are unaffected. The government website points those who would have been eligible to apply under the Family Scheme to the remaining two schemes.
Extension Scheme
Closed to new applications on 16 May 2024 with one exception: children of visa holders born in the UK after 18 March 2024. Visas issued before the scheme closed are unaffected.
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 new Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. The scheme opened to applications on 4 February 2025. You can apply for the UPE when there are 28 days or less before your current visa 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 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]