Ukrainian refugees without family members in the UK will be able to apply for visas under a new scheme launching today. More than 150,000 Britons have registered their interest in taking in Ukrainians, and those who have someone to sponsor them will be able to apply when the first stage launches this week.
Detailed guidance is expected to be published today. But here is what we know about how the scheme will work and how to get involved.
What is the scheme?
The Homes for Ukraine programme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people escaping the war to safety - even if they have no ties to the UK. Anyone with a room or home available for at least six months can offer it to a Ukrainian individual or a family, though those offering to host will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks.
How will it work?
Ukrainians who have a sponsor will be able to start their visa application from today. This will include a section about their sponsor which they will need to complete, using information provided by their sponsor.
What should I do if I am not yet in touch with a Ukrainian refugee?
People are being encouraged to register their interest on the website homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk if they have not done so already. The Government will be in contact with people who have registered their interest.
When will people start to arrive?
It is not clear how many people have already identified Ukrainians who they wish to sponsor. Refugee minister Lord Richard Harrington told MPs on Wednesday he expects “thousands of people” to arrive next week.
What checks will take place and when?
Sponsors, all adults in their households and Ukrainians being sponsored will need to submit to security checks, which will take place when the visa application is being assessed. Biometric checks will be made after refugees arrive in the UK to avoid delays.
Once the visa is approved, information will be passed to the local authority where the sponsoring individual lives. It will then be up to the council to carry out the necessary checks.
What if a placement doesn’t work out?
It is understood there will be safeguards in place to ensure people are not left homeless if they are unable to stay with their sponsor for whatever reason. On arrival, people will receive a welcome pack with details of how to access basic services and claim benefits, but also of who to contact in the case of an emergency.
Who is eligible?
Sponsors can be of any nationality and any immigration status as long as they have permission to be in the UK for at least six months and can offer accommodation for at least half a year. People are eligible if they are a “Ukrainian national or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, and were resident in Ukraine prior to January 1, 2022”.
What are people saying?
Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing, has accused the Government of “unleashing chaos”. Ms Qureshi said it is giving the “illusion of people helping because they’re distracting from the fact that they haven’t lifted visa restrictions”.
The Refugee Council said it has several concerns about the scheme. Andy Hewett, head of advocacy, said it is concerned the scheme could be “too slow and complex”.
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