Applications are processed by date after your documents are uploaded or after your inquiry at a Visa Application Center. We work 7 days a week, but it will take some time before we can make a decision on each request.
We know that some candidates have waited almost 3 weeks for their application to be processed. We are working to resolve this issue and speed up the processing of requests.
The UK has set up three different programs in Ukraine to support those coming to or staying in the UK:
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ukrainian family program- If you have a family residing in the UK, you can apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme
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houses for ukraine- If you want to be sponsored by a UK family for 6 months, you can apply for the Homes for Ukraine program
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Extension Program for Ukraine- You can apply for this program if any of the following apply:
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You were allowed to be in the UK between 18th March 2022 and 16th May 2023; the license does not need to cover the entire period
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You already had a UK residence permit and that permit expired on or after 1 January 2022
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UK based sponsor is not required for this route.
Before submitting your application, please think carefully about which system you are applying for. Once you have applied, you should avoid applying to any other system as this may delay a decision.
general description
The Ukrainian Sponsorship Program allows Ukrainian citizens and their family members to come to the UK. Your sponsor must:
- a designated sponsor who can provide accommodation for a minimum of 6 months
- To diescottish government
- To diewelsh government
Candidates from Scotland and Wales may have previously been considered in over-sponsorship schemes, in which the governments of those nations act as direct sponsors. However, these super sponsorship programs are currently on hold, so applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authorities.
The app is free.
You can live, work and study in the UK and have access to public funds.
authorization
To apply for the Ukraine Sponsorship Program, you must be a Ukrainian national or an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen who has been awarded or is applying and is eligible for the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship program.
You must also:
- lived in Ukraine on or immediately before January 1, 2022 (including those who have already left Ukraine)
- be outside the UK
- have oneEligible UK Sponsor, or you can choose the Scottish or Welsh government as your sponsor
Your UK-based sponsor does not need to register with the Homes for Ukraine program if you are already in contact with them.
If your sponsor is the Scottish or Welsh government, you do not need to arrange accommodation; we will provide it to you.
learn more aboutwhat happens if the Scottish government encourages your application.
Applicants under 18 years old
Children under 18 must:
- sign up with your parents or guardians
- apply to join your parents or legal guardians if they are already in the UK
- apply, with the consent of your parents or legal guardian, to travel to the UK to join an Approved Sponsor
Children applying with their parents or guardians
If the child is applying with a parent or legal guardian, they must travel together.
Children who wish to join their parents or guardians
If the child requests to join a parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian must:
- travel to pick up the child before departure and then travel to the UK together
- Pick up the child at the airport, port, train station or other point of entry into the UK
We do not recommend that children travel through Calais, Coquelles or Dunkirk without a parent or legal guardian.
Children not applying to travel with or joining a parent or legal guardian
To be eligible, the child must have:
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Proof of parental or guardian consent, notarized or authenticated by the City Guardianship Service or the Regional Council of Ukraine; or, if the child is in another country, by notaries in that country or by the Ukrainian embassy or consulate.
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Proof of parental or guardian consent for sponsorship
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a sponsorship commitment for 3 years or until the child turns 18 (if the sponsorship lasts at least 6 months)
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Approval of the sponsorship contract by the city hall where the child will reside.
If the child enrolled before August 10, 2022, they received a letter with instructions on what to do next.
Children who are not traveling with their parent or guardian in the UK can now submit new applications.
You can also read detailed information about GOV.UK if:
- Parent, guardian or child
- Sponsor
If you are applying as an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen
An immediate family member is yours:
- spouse or life partner
- single partner (must be in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- Child under 18 years old
- Father (if under 18)
- Proposed fiancé or partner
You and your sponsor will be subject to security checks.
Crown dependencies
If you have applied for the Isle of Man or Guernsey Ukraine Sponsorship Program, you must complete your application through this Crown Unit process. If you need information or assistance, please contact the relevant Crown office:
- Isle of Man:ukraineguidance@gov.im
- Bailiwick of Guernsey (Guernsey, Alderney and Sark):ucrania@gov.gg
how long can you stay
You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
taxa
The app is free.
You do not have to pay the immigrant health surcharge or the biometric registration fee.
To use
You must submit your application online.
If you have a designated sponsor, you or your sponsor can complete the form, or you can complete it together.
The form is intended for the applicant to the program.
This app is also an immigration biometric document application.
By completing this application, you confirm that both the applicant and the sponsor (if you have a designated sponsor) have given permission for their information to be shared and contact information used for verification purposes and support of the sponsorship agreement.
You must complete the online form as if you are the Ukraine applicant.
Include the candidate's contact details so that they have access to the application form and decision letters.
If the applicant has a valid Ukrainian international passport, they can use the UK immigration identity verification application to prove their identity. You must complete this part of the application yourself.
Please read the entire guide to ensure you have everything you need ready before signing up.
prove your identity
If you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport
You can use UK Immigration - Identity Verification App to prove your identity if you have a valid Ukrainian international passport. You do not need to go to the Visa Application Center to provide your biometrics or apply for an extension of stay once you arrive in the UK.
If your sponsor applies on your behalf, you will still need to use the app to verify your identity. Once your sponsor has created your online account details, you will be given instructions to start using the app.
Mit der App „UK Immigration: Identity Verification“.
The UK Immigration - Identity Check app will verify your identity and confirm that the passport you are using is yours. Once you start your online application on GOV.UK, you will be told when to download your application; You can download the app at any time, but it won't work until then.
Experiencehow to use the app.
You do not need to provide your UK biometrics when using the app
Important Tips for Applying for a UK Visa in Ukraine Programs
If you can't use the app
If you are unable to use the application and have a valid international Ukrainian passport, you do not need to go to a visa application center to provide your biometrics. Instead, you must provide your biometrics within 6 months of your arrival in the UK.
During your application you will need to upload a copy of your passport photo page
You can upload these documents using our business partner document upload application. This is either TLS or VFS depending on the country the request is made for. You can download the app from the TLS or VFS website when you sign up.
If you need help submitting copies of your documents, you can still make an appointment at a Visa Application Center.
If you have an expired Ukrainian international passport with a formal renewal stamp
You cannot use the UK Immigration - ID Verification Application if your passport is expired, even if it has a formal renewal stamp issued by the Ukrainian government. You do not need to go to a visa application center to provide your biometric information. Instead, you must provide your biometrics within 6 months of your arrival in the UK.
During your application, you will need to upload copies of both:
- the photo page of your expired passport
- the page of your expired passport with the formal renewal stamp
You can upload these documents using our business partner document upload application after completing your application. This is either TLS or VFS depending on the country the request is made for. You can download the app from the TLS or VFS website when you sign up.
If you need help submitting copies of your documents, you can still make an appointment at a Visa Application Center.
If you do not have a valid Ukrainian international passport or an expired Ukrainian international passport with formal renewal stamp
If you do not have a valid Ukrainian international passport or an expired Ukrainian international passport with a formal renewal stamp issued by the government of Ukraine, you must schedule and attend an appointment with aVisa Application Center(VACATION). This also applies to minor applicants.
During the online application process, you will be asked to submit copies of any identification documents you may have, such as
- a Ukrainian identity card
- a combination of official documents, for example a driver's license with a photo and a birth certificate
- since March 2022, an emergency certificate issued by a Ukrainian authority
You are not required to provide these documents, but they may support your application if you are able to.
You can upload your documents using our business partner document upload application. This is either TLS or VFS depending on the country the request is made for. You can download the app from the TLS or VFS website when you sign up.
Visa Application Centers
As part of your application, you will need to have your photo and fingerprints taken at a Visa Application Center (VAC). Children under age 5 will not be fingerprinted, but should still schedule and attend a VAC appointment and have a digital photo taken.
The Visa Application Center (VAC) in Kiev, Ukraine is now open for biometric enrollment and document scanning for UK visa applications. Biometric enrollment dates are limited.
If your visa application is successful, you will need to travel toVAC in Warsawwith a valid international passport to obtain your visa sticker.
For more information, including office hours and scheduling, visitSite TLS.
Demonstrate that you are eligible for the program
If you have a named sponsor, you must also provide documentation that proves your identity.
This could be one:
- British or Irish Passport or Irish Passport Card
- biometric residence permit or biometric residence card
- refugee travel document
- a picture driving license issued by the UK, Ireland or Crown Dependencies
If your sponsorUKVI-Konto, you can use the onlineView and test the serviceto show your identity.
You are not required to provide these documents, but they may support your application if you are able to.
You can upload your documents using our business partner document upload application. This is either TLS or VFS depending on the country the request is made for. You can download the app from the TLS or VFS website when you sign up.
If you need help uploading images of your documents, you can make an appointment with a VAC.
You will also be asked to provide your sponsor's home address. You do not need to provide a home address for your sponsor if it is the Scottish or Welsh government.
After having applied
You must await a decision from UK Visas and Immigration on your application before traveling to the UK.
We give priority to applications for the Ukrainian sponsorship program and strive to make a decision as soon as possible.
You will be contacted when a decision has been made with further guidance on the travel process.
Your decision letter will tell you if you need to obtain a biometric residence permit on arrival in the UK or if you need to provide your biometric information first.
If you visited a Visa Application Center as part of your application
Once your application has been processed, you will be issued with a visa.
This visa allows you to board a plane or other means of transport to the UK.
You must collect your visa from the Visa Application Center before traveling to the UK.
Do not go to the Visa Application Center to pick up your visa until you have been contacted.
You can collect your biometric residence permit once you are in the UK. Your biometric residence permit can be used to confirm your UK status and rights.
If you did not visit a Visa Application Center as part of your application
Once your application has been processed, you will receive an official letter of approval from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) confirming that you can travel to the UK.
With the approval letter, you can board a plane or other means of transport to the UK.
You must not travel to the UK until you receive an official letter of approval.
If you applied through the UK Immigration - Identity Verification app, you can collect your biometric residence permit once you are in the UK.
If you have not used the UK Immigration: ID Verification app, you must submit your biometrics within 6 months of arriving in the UK to extend your stay up to 3 years and receive a biometric authorization. You will find how to do this in your notification.
Extension of your stay in the UK
You do not need to extend your visa if you have been able to use the UK Immigration - Identity Verification application or if you have attended a Visa Application Center as part of your application to enter the UK.
You must apply for your biometrics within 6 months of arriving in the UK if you have your passport stamped on entry to the UK.
You can then stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
You do not need to do this when you arrive in the UK, but you do need to ensure that you have requested your biometrics be provided before the 6 months are up. You will find how to do this in your notification.
Apply to extend your stay in the UK
You can initiate the request to send your biometric data by filling in the online form.
You will then make an appointment and attendUK Citizenship and Visa Application Services (UKVCAS)service point.
Your biometric residence permit will be sent to the address you provided in the application. You don't need to pick it up.
UK Citizenship and Visa Application Services (UKVCAS)
You must provide your fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) to a UKVCAS service point to obtain a biometric residence permit.
Children under the age of 5 are fingerprint-free but still need to go to the UKVCAS service point and have a digital photo taken.
Some services at UKVCAS service points are chargeable. You need these services like B. documents scanned, please do not use them to complete your application.
If you wish to use any of these services at a UKVCAS service point during your appointment, you do not have to pay a fee for them and you do not have to pay for them in advance.
Phrases for you and your family
If you want to schedule appointments for yourself and your family members on the same day, you must first set up individual accounts for all your family members, including children. You can use your own email address when setting up child accounts.
so you shouldLog in to your UKVCAS accountsand schedule your appointments together.
If more than one application is linked to the same email address, you must provide the Unique Application Number (UAN) for each application you want to schedule an appointment for.
A UAN is a unique 16-digit code (format xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx) given to each person once they apply online to extend their stay in the UK.
We cannot guarantee that appointments for all family members will be available on the same day.
If you need help, contact UK Visas and Immigration.
Telephone: +44 808 164 8810
From Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
calls are free
If you are unable to contact the UK 0808 numbers then you can use another number. You may have to pay; check with your telephone company if you are not sure.
Telephone: +44 175 390 7510
From Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
Posted on March 18, 2022
Last updated on January 31, 2023+Show all updates
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Updated information on the reopening of the Visa Application Center.
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Updated hotline hours.
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Modified opening hours during the Christmas season.
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Added information about the 3 different Ukrainian programs available.
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The under 18s section has been updated as unaccompanied minors can now apply for this visa.
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This paragraph has been removed because Super Sponsor programs have been discontinued: 'If your sponsor is the Scottish or Welsh government, you will need to complete the form yourself. You will be asked if you are sponsored by an organization. Select the 'Organisation Option' and choose from the list which government will be your sponsor."
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The temporary VAC in Rzeszów is closed.
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Guidance has been updated to include the breakdown of the Wales and Scotland Super Sponsor Agreements and a new section on unaccompanied minors has been added. Other general improvements to make the guide easier to navigate.
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Added instructions for scheduling biometric appointments for family groups.
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translation added
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You can now apply online and use the UK Immigration - Identity Verification App to prove your identity if you have a valid Ukrainian international passport.
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Added a link to the Ukrainian Family Program and Ukrainian Sponsorship Program application screens translated into Russian and Ukrainian.
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Updated translations for Ukrainian and Russian.
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Updated guidance on whether your sponsor should register their interest in the Homes for Ukraine program. Updated instructions for sponsors applying on behalf of a person from Ukraine.
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You have started the process of submitting your biometrics once you arrive in the UK. Added link to form.
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Added information about visa application processing times.
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Hotline opening hours have changed.
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Added translations for Ukrainian and Russian.
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Published for the first time.
FAQs
How do I apply to sponsor a Ukrainian? ›
If you wish to provide support to a Ukrainian beneficiary under the Uniting for Ukraine process, you must file a new Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, even if you already submitted a prior Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with your pending Form I-131.
Who is eligible for Homes for Ukraine visa? ›Eligibility. To apply to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who has been granted permission under, or is applying to and qualifies for, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
How do I offer to house Ukrainian refugees? ›If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can become a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Use this service to record your interest in becoming a sponsor. This service is for potential sponsors who have not yet been matched with a Ukrainian guest.
How much do you get paid for housing Ukrainian refugees? ›If you're taking part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme as a sponsor, you can apply for an optional 'thank you' payment of £350 per month, for as long as the guest remains in your accommodation for up to 12 months. This payment will be tax free and should not affect your Council Tax status or entitlement to benefits.
How much does it cost to sponsor an Ukrainian refugee? ›Funding support for sponsors
Sponsors of people on the Homes for Ukraine scheme can receive a monthly payment of £350 for up to 12 months, paid in arrears, for as long as you are hosting your Ukrainian guests and that your accommodation has met the necessary standards.
You will continue to receive payments for as long as you sponsor somebody and for up to 12 months. This payment will be made in arrears. The UK government is ensuring 'thank you payments' do not affect benefit entitlement and will remain tax-free.
How long are Homes for Ukraine visas taking to process? ›May 2022 Update: UKVI is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. It may take up to 24 weeks to receive a decision for people applying to join family in the UK.
How do you offer a house to a Ukrainian family? ›There's a short form on Homes for Ukraine to register interest in becoming a host/sponsor. And you'll be kept updated after recording your interest. Beyond registering an interest, sponsors will need to have the name and details of the person they wish to host before they can formally apply at this stage.
Can I offer a room in my house to Ukrainian refugee? ›You can also offer a room in your home to a refugee by registering at the Room For Refugees charity.
Can I offer my spare room to a Ukrainian refugee? ›As a “refugee host”, you decide how long you can offer a spare room or property. We screen all referrals to ensure a safe match, and our team are there to support you and your guest throughout the placement. Find out more about how it works. “It's like living with any other housemate.”
How do I host an Ukrainian refugee in the US? ›
At UkraineTakeShelter.com, you click a button labeled “to host refugees, click here,” and are prompted to create an account similar to an Airbnb account. Hosts do not have to list their precise location, just their nearest city and their contact information.
How do I find a sponsor under Homes for Ukraine scheme? ›Finding a host / sponsor or refugee through matching sites
Refugees At Home: Homes for Ukraine (refugeesathome.org) – submit a Guest Application using the link: https://rahhub.azurewebsites.net/registration/guestregistration.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a tax-free payment of €800 per month for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. The payment increased to €800 per month from 1 December 2022. The accommodation must be provided for at least 6 months and meet the required standards.
Do you get 350 per Ukrainian refugee? ›You are also entitled to a £350 per month 'thank you' payment from the government. This is optional and we realise that not everyone will want to claim this. The host 'thank you' payment will be made monthly directly to your bank account. It will be paid in arrears one month after you notify us of the arrival date.
What benefits do Ukrainian refugees get? ›Universal Credit – this could support you if you are on a low income, out of work or unable to work due to a health condition or disability. Housing Benefit – if you are aged over 66 and you live in rented accommodation, this can help you pay your rent if you're on a low income, or claiming benefits.
Do Ukrainian refugees get money in USA? ›Retirees from Ukraine who arrived in the U.S. after the outbreak of full-scale war will be able to receive the government's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pension. This was reported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Do you get paid for housing refugees? ›It's been such a simple way to make a transformational difference to the life of a refugee family. Letting your property to refugees really is a win-win – you get your regular rental payments and a refugee family gets a home. On top of this, the community is enriched by the refugee family's presence.
How do I apply to sponsor a Ukrainian refugee? ›Register your interest at www.gov.uk/homes-for-ukraine. The sponsor and refugee will find each other and agree to a match. The sponsor or the refugee fills out the single visa application form online using both parties' details. You can find more information here.
How much does it cost to sponsor someone from Ukraine? ›There is no cost to U.S.-based sponsors or Ukrainians to apply. However, once authorization is approved, Ukrainians must find and fund their own way of travel to a U.S. port of entry.
What does sponsoring a Ukrainian involve? ›Sponsorship means supporting a visa application and committing to provide accommodation for at least 6 months. Hosting is the process of providing accommodation for Ukrainians (usually in your own home).
How many visas issued by Homes for Ukraine? ›
Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 217,900
Data is as of 7 February 2023 and comprised of: Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 65,800. Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 152,100.
Ukrainian people on this scheme have access to public funds during their time in NI, and at the end of their sponsorship will be able to rent a property. Although the need for initial sponsorship is six months, that is not a long time for the person(s) you are hosting to save money and secure other accommodation.
How many people have applied for Homes for Ukraine? ›More than 130,000 Britons have offered up their homes to Ukrainian refugees, Downing Street has said. Boris Johnson's spokesperson told reporters that 138,000 people had registered interest in the Homes for Ukraine scheme as of this morning.
Can I offer a room to someone from Ukraine? ›You must have space for someone to live with you. It can be a spare room or an empty property. The space you're offering must be safe, suitable and large enough for the number of people you want to live there. It must have smoke alarms and it must have had a gas safety check in the last year.
How much money do you get to house a Ukrainian? ›On 18 March 2022, the government launched the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme. Under the scheme, those who accommodate refugees of the conflict in Ukraine are given a monthly 'thank you' payment of £350.
How do I offer Ukrainians a place to stay? ›Sign up on Ukraine Shelter. Can you offer temporary accommodation to Ukrainians who need a place to stay? If so, then sign up on Ukraine Shelter, an independently established web-platform that connects hosts with Ukrainian refugees who are looking for accommodation.
How does the Homes for Ukraine scheme work? ›The Homes for Ukraine scheme helps people who are fleeing Ukraine to seek sanctuary and who have no family in the UK to be sponsored by named individuals who can offer them a home, such as a spare room or unoccupied residential self-contained unit for at least 6 months.
How much do you get for taking in a Ukrainian? ›Is the Government providing help? Yes. A £350 a month “thank you” will be paid by the Government to those who have taken in Ukrainian refugees.
How do I become a host family for Ukrainian refugees? ›- Fill out the form on this page.
- We'll screen and match guests with hosts.
- A pre-hosting meeting is scheduled to ensure everyone has a chance to meet and ask questions.
- The temporary hosting starts.
To receive Universal Credit and other benefits, your guest will need to open a bank account. They can open a bank account by visiting any bank. They'll need to have documents that show their identity, immigration status and address. Many banks now will create an account for Ukrainian refugees without an address.
How many Homes granted Ukraine visa? ›
Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 212,600
Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 63,600. Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 149,000.
- Homes for Ukraine. ...
- UKRAINE. ...
- The Homes for Ukraine scheme is open for applications. ...
- Eligibility.
- This scheme is open to Ukrainian nationals who were resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022. ...
- How to apply.
- To apply please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-
- sponsorship-scheme.
This designation allows eligible Ukrainian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine) who have continuously resided in the United States since April 11, 2022, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since April 19, 2022 to apply for TPS.
How many Homes for Ukraine visas have been issued? ›The data is not exhaustive and is likely to be an underestimate of the true numbers waiting since March, organisers believe. Official figures show that there have been 65,900 applications under the sponsorship scheme since last Wednesday, with 39,300 visas issued.
How much do you get paid for housing a Ukrainian citizen? ›What is the Accommodation Recognition Payment? The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a tax-free payment of €800 per month for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. The payment increased to €800 per month from 1 December 2022.
How long are visas from Ukraine taking? ›in up to 10 working days from the day of application within regular service unless stipulated otherwise by Ukraine's international treaties. Processing time of an application filed within regular service may be extended for up to 30 working days if additional checks are necessary.
How much does it cost to sponsor a Ukrainian? ›How much does it cost? There is no cost to U.S.-based sponsors or Ukrainians to apply. However, once authorization is approved, Ukrainians must find and fund their own way of travel to a U.S. port of entry.
Do you get 350 per person from Ukraine? ›A £350 a month “thank you” will be paid by the Government to those who have taken in Ukrainian refugees. The money is designed to help cover the costs of housing refugees, such as increased food and energy bills, as well as an incentive for people to take part.