The Homes For Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme Visa UK
For Ukrainian nationals seeking entry to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, applying for entry clearance from outside the UK is a straightforward process. If you have an approved sponsor providing accommodation for a minimum of six months, you can apply at no cost, as there are no visa application fees involved. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in the UK while also granting access to public funds.
To qualify for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, applicants must either:
- Have been granted entry clearance; or
- Receive a letter from the Home Office confirming their eligibility to travel to the UK under the Ukraine Scheme before arriving.
Applications for entry clearance must adhere to the criteria outlined in Appendix Ukraine of the Immigration Rules. For expert guidance and assistance with your application, contact Aden & Co Solicitors to ensure a seamless process.
Aden & Co Solicitors stands out as a leading firm in UK immigration law, offering unparalleled expertise in visa and immigration services. The exceptional quality of our legal support is reflected in the 5-star Google Reviews rating, earned by 99% of our satisfied clients. Our team of fully qualified and experienced immigration solicitors is dedicated to providing top-notch legal assistance tailored to your needs.
If a child is applying to enter the UK independently, without accompanying or intending to join their parent or legal guardian, they must have an approved sponsor. This sponsor, designated by a Local Authority, must have agreed to provide accommodation for the child for a minimum of three years or until the child reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs first. The child must also be sponsored for a minimum of six months.
Additionally, immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals who are not Ukrainian themselves may be eligible under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. This includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, and adult siblings who are applying with a child who is neither joining their parent or legal guardian nor applying to accompany them.
Complimentary Immigration Advice for Homes for Ukraine Scheme Visa
Our team at Aden & Co Solicitors offers complimentary, one-off online immigration advice regarding your application for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme visa. For free guidance, submit your query online or schedule a detailed consultation with one of our expert immigration solicitors.
Eligibility for Sponsorship Under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme facilitates the relocation of Ukrainian nationals and their families to the UK. Sponsors under this scheme must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a designated sponsor capable of offering accommodation for at least six months.
- Represent the Scottish Government.
- Represent the Welsh Government.
Previously, Scotland and Wales operated super sponsor schemes where the governments acted as sponsors directly. However, these super sponsor schemes are currently suspended, and applications are now reviewed individually by the relevant authorities.
Entry Clearance Requirements for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme Visa
To apply for entry clearance under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme Visa from outside the UK, applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
Valid Application
Applicants must submit a valid entry clearance application, adhering to the specifications outlined in Appendix Ukraine of the Immigration Rules.
Criteria for Applicants Under 18
For applicants under the age of 18, the following conditions must be met:
- They must apply alongside their parent or legal guardian in the UK, or
- Their sponsor must have been authorized as a sponsor for the applicant under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, as detailed in the guidance: “Homes for Ukraine – Applications to Homes for Ukraine for children who are not travelling or reuniting with their parent or legal guardian: Guidance for Councils,” prior to the application date. The applicant must provide proof of this approval, including a reference number.
For expert guidance and support, Aden & Co Solicitors are here to assist with all aspects of the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and Homes for Ukraine visa applications.
Suitability Criteria for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
To qualify under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, applicants must ensure they are not subject to any grounds for refusal as outlined in Part 9 of the immigration rules. Specifically, the following criteria must be met:
- Exclusion or Deportation Orders: Applicants must not be refused under paragraphs 9.2.1 or 9.2.2.
- Non-Conducive Grounds: Exclusions under paragraphs 9.3.1 or 9.3.2 are not applicable.
- Criminality: Grounds for refusal under paragraphs 9.4.1 through 9.4.5 must not be applicable.
- Exclusion from Asylum or Humanitarian Protection: Applicants should not be refused under paragraphs 9.5.1 or 9.5.2.
- Sham Marriages or Civil Partnerships: Paragraphs 9.6.1 and 9.6.2 must not apply.
- False Representations and Deception: Refusal under paragraphs 9.7.1 through 9.7.3 is not permitted.
- Admissibility to Common Travel Area: Paragraphs 9.10.1 and 9.10.2 must not be grounds for refusal.
- Refusal and Cancellation on Arrival: Applicants should not be refused under paragraphs 9.14.1 through 9.20.2, or 9.23.1 through 9.24.1.
Approved Sponsor Requirement
Applicants under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme must be sponsored by an approved entity. If applying as a family unit, both the Ukrainian national and their immediate family members, as defined in UKR 18.1, must share the same approved sponsor.
For child applicants, the sponsor must not have previously failed to meet approval requirements under the scheme, as specified in the guidance: “Homes for Ukraine – Applications to Homes for Ukraine for children not travelling with or reuniting with a parent or legal guardian: Guidance for Councils.”
If a child is applying to join an adult relative (such as a grandparent, uncle, aunt, or sibling aged 18 or over) rather than a parent or legal guardian, both the child and the adult relative must be sponsored by the same approved entity.
Residence Requirement
To be eligible, applicants must have been ordinarily resident in Ukraine immediately before 1 January 2022, unless they are children born on or after this date.
Nationality Requirement
Applicants must be:
- Ukrainian nationals, or
- Part of a family unit including a Ukrainian national who qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
Relationship Requirement for Family Members
If the applicant is not a Ukrainian national, they must be:
- The partner of a Ukrainian national;
- A child under 18 of a Ukrainian national or their partner;
- A parent of a Ukrainian national child under 18 (where the child is applying under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme);
- The fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of a Ukrainian national.
Partners, fiancés(e), or proposed civil partners must have a genuine, ongoing relationship with the Ukrainian national that started before 1 January 2022. Applicants must also meet the criteria outlined in Appendix Relationship with Partner.
Parental Consent Requirements
For a child applying to join a parent or legal guardian in the UK:
- Written consent from the parent or guardian in the UK is required, unless the decision-maker deems it reasonable to waive this requirement.
- The consent must confirm support for the application, the child’s residence with the parent in the UK, and the child’s travel and reception arrangements.
For a child applying without a parent or legal guardian:
- Written parental consent must be provided for the child to live in the UK with the approved sponsor and any accompanying adult relative.
- This consent must be signed by at least one parent or the child’s legal guardian and notarized or approved by Ukrainian notary authorities or a Ukrainian consul.
Variation of Entry Clearance to Leave to Remain
An individual with an undecided entry clearance application, who has received confirmation from the Home Office about their eligibility to travel under the Ukraine Scheme, and who is granted entry upon arrival, may have their entry clearance application varied to an application for permission to stay.
Period and Conditions of Grant
Successful applicants will be granted permission for up to 36 months, subject to:
- Permission to access public funds;
- Permission to work (including self-employment and voluntary work);
- Permission to study, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
How We Can Assist You
At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert team specializes in family visas and offers comprehensive immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis for your entry clearance application under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa in the UK. Our fixed fee covers all aspects of your entry clearance application until a decision is rendered by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). The services provided by our family visa solicitors include:
- Requirement Guidance: Our solicitors will provide detailed advice on the requirements necessary for a successful entry clearance application under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa UK.
- Document Preparation: We will supply you with a thorough list of required supporting documents for your application and ensure you are informed of their submission details.
- Document Assessment: Our team will review your documents to ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules, ensuring that all submissions meet the necessary criteria.
- Application Completion: Our solicitors will complete the relevant application form accurately on your behalf.
- Priority Submission: Where applicable, we will submit your application via the priority or super priority service to expedite the decision-making process.
- Appointment Scheduling: Following online submission, we will arrange your biometrics appointment with the application centre.
- Cover Letter Preparation: We will draft a comprehensive cover letter to support your application, detailing how all legal requirements are fulfilled.
- Document Upload: Prior to your biometrics appointment, we will upload all supporting documents online for review.
- Follow-Up: Our solicitors will handle all necessary follow-up actions until the ECO renders a decision on your entry clearance application.
Specialized One-Time Services for UK Entry Clearance Applications
At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer an array of specialized one-time legal services tailored to UK visa entry clearance applications. These services are ideal for individuals seeking targeted assistance without committing to our comprehensive service package. Choose from the following one-time services designed to facilitate your UK visa entry clearance:
Our expert team at Aden & Co Solicitors ensures that each service is meticulously handled to meet your specific needs efficiently.
Fixed Fees for Entry Clearance Under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme Visa
- At Aden & Co Solicitors, our fixed fees for entry clearance applications under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa range from £1,000 to £2,000, exclusive of VAT. The exact fee is determined by the complexity of your application and the associated workload. For a tailored quote based on your specific entry clearance needs, please request an online quote through our website. Trust Aden & Co Solicitors for expert guidance and transparent pricing on your Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa application.
FAQs: Entry Clearance for the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme Visa UK
What are the eligibility criteria for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa UK?
To qualify for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, applicants must be Ukrainian nationals or immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals granted or applying for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. Additional requirements include:
- Residence in Ukraine on or before January 1, 2022 (including those who have since left Ukraine)
- Current location outside the UK
- An eligible UK-based sponsor, or selection of the Scottish or Welsh Government as a sponsor
Can children under 18 apply for the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?
Children under 18 must:
- Apply with their parent or legal guardian
- Apply to join their parent or legal guardian if already in the UK
- Apply with consent from their parent or legal guardian to join an approved sponsor in the UK
If traveling with their parent or legal guardian, they should make the journey together. If applying to join a parent or legal guardian, the parent or guardian should either:
- Meet the child before departure and travel together to the UK, or
- Collect the child upon arrival at a UK entry point
Children should avoid traveling via Calais, Coquelles, or Dunkerque without a parent or legal guardian.
For children not traveling with or joining their parent or legal guardian, eligibility requires:
- Proof of notarized or certified consent from the parent or legal guardian
- Proof of consent for the sponsorship arrangement
- A commitment to sponsorship for 3 years or until the child turns 18 (with a minimum of 6 months sponsorship)
- Approval from the local council where the child will reside
Children who applied before August 10, 2022, should follow instructions received in their letter. New applications can be submitted by children not traveling with their parent or guardian.
For more detailed information, visit GOV.UK if you are a parent, legal guardian, child, or sponsor.
Who qualifies as an immediate family member under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa UK?
Immediate family members include:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Unmarried partner (living together for at least 2 years)
- Child under 18
- Parent (if the applicant is under 18)
- Fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner
All applicants and sponsors will undergo security and safeguarding checks conducted by Home Office UKVI.
What is the maximum duration of stay in the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?
You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
Is there an application fee for the Home Office UKVI under the Scheme?
The application is free of charge. There is no need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee.
How can I apply for a UK visa under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme?
Applications can be submitted online for a UK visa under the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
What are the residence requirements for the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa?
Applicants must have been ordinarily resident in Ukraine immediately before January 1, 2022, unless they were born on or after that date.
What are the nationality requirements for the Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa UK?
Applicants must be:
- Ukrainian nationals, or
- Part of an immediate family group that includes a Ukrainian national granted or applying under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
Can I modify my entry clearance application to a leave to remain application if it is pending with the UKVI?
If you have an entry clearance application pending and receive a letter from the Home Office confirming you can travel under the Ukraine Scheme, you may be granted permission to enter the UK. Once in the UK and providing any required biometrics, your entry clearance application may be varied to an application for permission to stay by the Secretary of State.