Support and information for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine
A summary of the Refugee Council's most recent support and information for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine and our call on the Government for action.
Support and information for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine
You are a Ukrainian national and wish to be sponsored to come to the UK
As of 19 February, the Ukraine Family Scheme has closed to new applicants
If you want to be sponsored by a UK household for 6 months, you may be able to apply under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme to come to the UK
The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their families, who lived in Ukraine before 1 January, 2022, to apply to stay with a sponsor in the UK. Sponsors must be British or Irish citizens or have permanent residency in the UK and can live anywhere in the UK.
If you apply after 3pm on 19 February 2024 you can stay and work in the UK for up to 3 years, or 18 months. The application is free and can be completed by either the sponsor or the applicant. Each person needs a separate application, and security checks will be conducted.
Applicants must book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) for a photo and fingerprints. Find a VAC here.
If you had a biometrics appointment in Kyiv and have a successful visa application, you must go to the VAC in Warsaw with a valid passport to collect your visa vignette. If your biometrics were done in another country, your vignette must be collected from the same VAC you did your biometrics.
If you have already arrived under the Ukraine Family Scheme
You can apply for an 18 month extension when their 3 year visa ends.
The UK Government have set up a website to provide information and further updates which you can find here.
If you need more assistance you can phone the UK Government free Ukraine helpline if you need help:
Telephone: + 44 808 164 8810
Telephone: +44 (0)175 390 7510 (if you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers)
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9am to 4:45pm
- Friday: 9am to 4:30pm
You want legal advice
These organisations pride legal advice to Ukrainians nationally:
You live in the UK and would like to claim asylum
If you want to claim asylum to the UK it is important to seek immigration advice. If you need an immigration advisor to help you understand your options, the organisations on this list may also be able to help you access a legal representative as well as the organisations listed above
If you are destitute you can contact our Infoline on 0808 196 7272 to access support services in your area. The Infoline is a live national Freephone line open Mondays and Thursdays between 9:30am and 12:30pm.
You live in the UK and need to extend your stay
There is a new scheme to extend your stay in the UK called the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme
If you were granted visas under the Ukraine schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family visa scheme, and Ukraine Extension scheme) you will be able to apply for a further 18 months of permission to stay in the UK under the new scheme. The new scheme will be free and you will be able to apply 3 months before the current visa expires.
Find out more about the government extension.
You have recently arrived from Ukraine under a visa scheme
The government has published a welcome guide to provide you with information on your rights and how to access services.
The British Red Cross have also produced translated guides to help you understand your rights and find out about services you are able to access.
Doctors of the World have produced a number of translated guides addressing common questions including how to register with a GP
You are unable to contact family in Ukraine
The British Red Cross provides an International Family Tracing service. If your relatives are not answering normal communications such as telephone, email or mobile, British Red Cross may be able to help.
Visit the International Family Tracing Service webpage and search for your nearest British Red Cross tracing service. Contact them and tell them you would like to contact a family member.
If you want to sponsor someone from Ukraine
The government has set up a dedicated website to allow people to register their interest in the scheme.
The charity organisation RESET has launched a new website to register and match sponsors in the UK with people from Ukraine.
Other ways to help
There are a number of other ways you can support people in Ukraine.
You can help refugees rebuild shattered lives in safety here in the UK by donating to our ongoing efforts.
We work with hundreds of volunteers to support refugees and people seeking asylum. If you are interested in volunteering with us, you can view our opportunities here.
