Applying through the Homes for Ukraine scheme
How we support Ukrainian guests
We are still matching Ukrainian guests with hosts in the UK for sponsorship under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.
You will not be asked to pay money to be introduced to a host through Refugees at Home. If you are asked to pay to use our services, you are being scammed.
We’re happy and feel lucky to live in our village. It’s beautiful and there are lots of nice people who are interested to know who we are.
It’s all based on respect and communication. We have our own space if we need it, but we can also spend a lot of time together. We share food, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and understand each other.
Our host is always asking how she can help us and if we ever need any advice we can ask her – she’s never said no!
Who we can support
Due to a lack of hosts in the UK, we are currently finding hosts for:
- People currently still in Ukraine
- Those who require only 1 bedroom (a single person, couple, or single parent with a young child).
- Those who have not been in the UK previously
- People without pets
- Those who are willing to be hosted outside of major UK cities. Please note that we cannot host Ukrainians in cities including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Liverpool.
We will not be able to assist those who are looking for an ‘on paper’ sponsor; we will not support applications from people who do not intend to live with their host, or delay their arrival in the UK.
Application process
Please complete our referral form once you have read our guest guidance.
Please complete this form as fully as you can. If there are questions that are not relevant or you cannot answer, you should state this on the application in order for it to submit.
Contacting you
We will respond to your application as soon as we can, and if we’re unable to help, we will signpost you to other organisations you can try.
If we feel we are able to support you, we will be in contact to find out a little more about you and take you through what we would expect of any guest. We will not be able to give you a choice of hosts or locations where you may be sponsored in the UK. We will strongly recommend you and your host arrange a video call to meet one another before the visa process begins.
Visa process
If both you and the host decide to go ahead with the sponsorship, we suggest that the host applies for the visa. Information about applying for the visa is available on the gov.uk website. Refugees at Home is neither commissioned nor responsible for the visa application process.
As soon as the visa is submitted, the UK Home Office will inform the local council in your host’s area that they intend to sponsor you and further checks will be carried out. If your sponsor is found to not be suitable to host you by the council, you will be informed and it is the responsibility of that council to find you a new sponsor. We are unable to assist in these cases.
In August 2023, we were welcomed into the home of our hosts. These are extraordinary people who have become a new, British family for us.
We are very grateful to them for their care, safety, and the opportunity to start a new life without war.
Arriving in the UK
You’ll be responsible for arranging your travel into the UK, and we’ll stay in contact with you and your host as you prepare to arrive. We will let you know what you need to do on arrival in order to register for benefits and prove your right to work. Details around what you will need to do is available on the gov.uk website.
Your sponsorship in the UK
The Homes for Ukraine programme is a six-month hosting programme, and through your stay with one of our hosts, we’ll be checking in regularly with you to find out how we can assist you in moving on from the host’s home, and if there are any questions you might have. We’ll work with you to help you in your next steps in the UK.
