Ukraine
Information on the UK Humanitarian Route, support for Ukrainian residents and offers of support
This page will be updated regularly with any UK Government announcements on Ukraine.
Contents
- Ukrainian Schemes
- Guidance for Local Authorities
- Information for Ukrainians already living in the UK
- Offers of support and fundraising
- Data sources
- Resources
Ukrainian Schemes
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme will be fee free and allow British nationals and people settled in the UK to bring a wider group of family members to the UK, extending eligibility to adult parents, grandparents, children over 18, siblings, and their immediate family members. The Family Scheme will grant leave of three years, Recipients of this visa will have access to public funds and will be able to live, work or study in the UK.
Those applying to the Ukraine Family Scheme must:
- Be applying to join or accompany a UK-based family member
- Be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme
- Have been residing in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)
Click the below button to access the official guidance.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme enables individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation to Ukrainians and their immediate family members for a minimum for six months. This scheme will grant leave for up to three years and will have access to public funds and services.
UK residents taking part in this scheme will receive monthly payments of £350 per residential address for at least six months. FAQs can be found here for the scheme. For those with questions about the scheme please contact: homesforukraine@levellingup.gov.uk.
Initially to get the scheme up and running individuals/families who are already in touch with potential sponsors will be progressed and/or sponsors are asked to contact local voluntary sector or church groups to see if they have made named contacts with individuals fleeing Ukraine so that their offer could be “matched”. The system for applying will be open from Friday 18 March 2022.
Both hosts and sponsored family will receive checks from the Home Office – as detailed in the guidance and local councils will be asked to undertake further checks of both the persons sponsoring and the accommodation made available; to check in on those families arriving and provide support as appropriate.
DLUHC has advised Leaders of Local Authorities they will receive funding of £10,500 per person in their LA area, with an additional top-up for child education, to enable them to provide wider support to families to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities and to provide the sponsor with the monthly £350 ‘thank you’ payment and undertake the necessary checks for the scheme mentioned in the ‘Guidance to local councils’.
Click the below button to access the official guidance.
Guidance for Local Authorities
The UK Government has published initial guidance on the Homes for Ukraine scheme which outlines the role for councils across England in supporting the scheme. Click the button below to access the official guidance.
Information for Ukrainians already in the UK
The Home Office has agreed some temporary concessions to support Ukrainian nationals currently in the UK who are now unable to return when their existing visa expires. If you are in the UK and unable to return to Ukraine, you may be able to extend your visa or switch to another immigration route even if your visa does not normally allow you to do so.
If you are in the UK and need assistance, contact UKVI:
- Telephone: 0808 164 8810 – select option 2
- Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:45pm.
- Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:30pm.
- This is a free phone number, but network charges may still apply.
Visitor
If you are in the UK on a visitor visa and cannot return to Ukraine, you can apply to switch to another visa. You will need to meet the requirements of that visa route and pay the associated visa fee(s).
Skilled worker
If you are on a Skilled Worker visa that is due to expire you can apply to extend your leave or apply for settlement if you meet the Immigration Rules.
Click the below button to access the full guidance.
Student
If you are on a Student visa that is due to expire you can apply to extend your leave or switch to a Graduate visa, if you meet the Immigration Rules.
Click the below button to access the full guidance.
Seasonal worker
You can extend your visa to 31 December 2022 if you cannot return to Ukraine. You must continue working in a job permitted by the Seasonal Worker route, with the same Scheme Operator (your sponsor).
You do not need to do anything. UKVI will work with your Immigration Sponsor to progress your visa extension. You will receive a notification from the Home Office that this concession applies to you.
Offers of support and fundraising
Please see here for information of support and fundraising from the North East region, nationally and internationally. If you want to have your support added to this list, please email nemp@middlesbrough.gov.uk.
North East organisations
- English Unlocked – English unlocked has waived the fee for a communication training event specifically for people who will be receiving refugees and asylum seekers into their homes. Anyone who is hosting someone in their home will be eligible, no matter where the refugees are from. The course will be limited to people who actually have a guest (a named person) on their way to the UK/already arrived. Register your interest for this training by viewing the flyer below and follow the link.
National organisations
- Disaster Emergency Committee
- The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain
- The British Red Cross have information for people who have lost contact with family during the conflict here.
- Ukraine Advice Project UK – A group of legal professionals with immigration / asylum background and expertise are providing free UK legal advice to Ukrainian citizens affected by the current crisis.
- RESET have launched a sponsorship matching service.
International organisations
Data sources
Office for National Statistics – 2021 Census
The Office for National Statistics has now released preliminary counts of the country of birth by local authority for Ukraine from the 2021 Census to assist with local and national planning. Click the button below to access the ONS website.
The Migration Observatory
The Migration Observatory has recently published information on the Ukraine Crisis. Click the button below to access The Migration Observatory website.
Resources
Health assessment resources
Resources for health professionals
Resources for newly arrived migrants
- Sane Ukraine – Daily online trauma and resilience and support sessions for Ukrainians
- Mental health information by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Ukrainian and Russian
- Doctors of the World translated health information resources in Ukrainian and Russian
Safeguarding
Resources for health professionals
Resources for newly arrived migrants
Resources to help newly arrived Ukrainian nationals register with a GP and access healthcare
- NHS: How to register with a GP surgery
- NHS Low Income Scheme – Guidance on how to complete a HC1 form to apply for a HC2 certification for help with prescription, dental and eyecare costs
- How to find an NHS dentist
