"Tens of thousands" of Ukrainians could come to the UK under a scheme to let Brits put up refugees in their homes - with first arrivals expected in a week's time.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove set out details on a new "Homes for Ukraine " plan, which will let people in the UK offer to host desperate people fleeing the Russian invasion.
Sponsors can nominate a named Ukrainian individual or family to stay with them in their home, or offer a separate property for them to use rent-free.
It comes after the UK Government faced intense criticism over the slow response to the refugee crisis, which has seen more than 2.5 million people displaced by war.
Mr Gove said more than 3,000 visas had been issued under a separate scheme for people with family links in the UK.
He initially said 300,000 visas had been issued before correcting himself when challenged by Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge.
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Mr Gove is taking the lead on the sponsorship route after widespread criticism of the Home Office response.
Asked for his estimate of the number of people who could come to the UK through the new scheme, he told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Tens of thousands."
"People can register their interest on Monday," he said.
"Matching will be taking place from Friday. I would expect that in a week's time we'll see the first people coming here under the scheme."
Brits sponsoring refugees through the new route will be asked to commit for a minimum of six months - and they will receive a thank you payment of £350-per-month.
Anyone offering accommodation will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will also undergo security checks.
A website allowing people to register their interest will go live on Monday.
Local authorities will be given £10,000 per refugee in their area to fund vital public services, with extra cash planned for schools admitting Ukrainian pupils.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said last week that a team was drawing up plans to welcome 100,000 children into England's schools.
Mr Gove said he would do "everything I can" to help when asked whether he would host a refugee himself.
He said: "I'm going to make sure that I do everything I can as an individual to support. And, again, each individual will have their own circumstances.
"It is the case that something like one in 10 UK citizens, which is an amazing amount, have said that they want to do something to help. But we want to make sure that people are in a position to help, because inevitably it's a significant commitment.
"I recognise that we need to operate in different ways and in different phases to help people who are fleeing persecution."
Pressed on whether that meant he would be offering a room, he said: "I'm in the process of seeking to see what I can do, yes."
Labour leader Keir Starmer branded the UK response to the crisis as "an embarrassment".
"The likelihood of an invasion of Ukraine was known weeks ago," he said.
"The Home Office have been far too slow, far too mean in relation to this, and frankly the last few weeks have been an embarrassment for the United Kingdom in the way that it has dealt with refugees."
He said there should be no cap on the number of refugees the UK takes in, adding: "We should provide sanctuary to all of those who are fleeing for their lives that want to come to the United Kingdom and play our full part."
