Homes for Ukraine: Update
It is just over a fortnight since we launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme. We are delighted that over 200,000 people and organisations have come forward to record their interest in supporting Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes. This is an extraordinary reminder of the enormous generosity of the British public.
11 days ago, the visa application process for the first phase of Homes for Ukraine opened. Over 25,000 applications have already been submitted. The Home Office, who are responsible for granting the visas, are working to process these as quickly as possible and the first visas were issued the weekend before last.
By now some of you will already be welcoming the first arrivals under the scheme. Others will become hosts in the coming weeks and months.
Many people have told us that the application process needs further refinement, and the Home Office have committed to taking steps to do this. One application is needed per person arriving from Ukraine and it can be completed by either the sponsor or the beneficiary. You may find it easier to complete the application form on behalf of your guest from Ukraine, especially if English is your first language and you have good internet access.
Before any visa is granted the Home Office will conduct various checks on both Ukrainians and sponsors. These include checks against the Police National Computer for every adult in the sponsor’s household. In addition, your local authority will start the process of running DBS checks on every adult co-habiting with the Ukrainian guests, with an enhanced DBS with barred list checks for those families with guests including children or, in some circumstances, vulnerable adults.
Inevitably many of you have further questions about the process and about sponsorship. These will range from the eligibility of your Ukrainian guests to public services through to what to do if you can no longer continue to host your guests. We have published answers to many frequently asked questions online and will keep them updated over the coming days.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions
You can also find guidance for sponsors here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guidance
Many people who have registered an interest in sponsoring have not yet found anyone from Ukraine to sponsor. Over the coming days we will be saying more about how you can connect with Ukrainians who are keen to come to the UK.
Please continue to check our campaign page https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/ for further updates.
Below are some useful links for finding a match and sharing advice with other sponsors.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/444822307433609/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/537548351008755
https://www.facebook.com/refugeesathome/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633033936982417
https://www.facebook.com/groups/499670758417483/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1631933210412964/
