Ukraine arrivals schemes FAQs

We have FAQs to help to provide information on how we can welcome and support those fleeing from Ukraine. These reflect information provided by the UK or Scottish Government. There are a few different routes that Ukraine arrivals fleeing their homes can use to travel to the UK. This may be through

the Homes for Ukraine Scheme
the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme (closed to new applications July 2022)
the Ukraine Family Scheme (closed to new applications February 2024)

More information on each of these schemes is below.

Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsorship schemes

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UK Government changed sponsor eligibility rules on 19th Feb 2024, sponsors must now be a British or Irish citizen, or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, to formally apply under Homes for Ukraine.

These changes do not affect sponsors looking to assist those already in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme ( assisted rematching or self-matching).

Eligibility rules for Thank You Payments changed on 1st October and will apply to any new arrangements where Thank You payments are requested after this date. Please visit our Homes for Ukraine page for more information.

Any Ukrainian national or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, who was resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 is eligible. Those arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years and access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education, and English language tuition.

From 19th September, new applicants under Homes for Ukraine will be granted visa permission for 18 months rather than 3 years.

Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme people from Ukraine need to already be matched with a host or “sponsor” in the UK before they can travel here. Under the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme, which is also known as the ‘Warm Scots Welcome’ Programme, the Scottish Government acts as the “sponsor” meaning that anyone from Ukraine can come to Scotland.

Scottish Government's Super Sponsor Scheme has been paused meaning new visas cannot be submitted, however, offers of sponsor accommodation to support the scheme can still be made by visiting here: https://www.mygov.scot/homes-for-ukraine-scotland-super-sponsor-scheme

Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme

You and anyone aged 16 and over in your household, must agree to an enhanced Disclosure Scotland check, including an ID check
You must agree to a home visit, which will be carried out by Fife Council, to assess the suitability of the accommodation offered
You must check with your mortgage lender that you can use your property as a sponsor or, if you are renting you need the agreement of your landlord
You must notify your home insurance provider
You need to be able to provide suitable accommodation for a minimum of 6 months
You should try to support and help your guests to adapt to life in Scotland
Sponsors should help direct their guests to public services, for example, registering with a GP or NHS dentist

All sponsors (Homes for Ukraine and Scottish Super Sponsor scheme) are expected to make sure that, on arrival, their guests have enough food and supplies such as toiletries. They should check to make sure they have access to a mobile phone and internet to stay in touch with family members.

They should help them settle into the local area, and make sure they know how to access any public services, such as GPs, dentists and schools.

If you are not part of the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme you should try to stay in contact with your guests before they arrive. You are responsible for helping to organise and coordinate their arrival in the UK. You should arrange to meet them on arrival and help with any transfer to accommodation.

Firstly, you can record your interest via the UK Government portal. The UK Government has stated that charities, businesses and faith and community groups will have a big role to play in connecting people from Ukraine with those who wish to sponsor, along with welcoming refugees feeling the conflict.
In future phases, the UK and Scottish Governments will help organisations to allow them to sponsor individuals directly, but at the current phase only named contacts can be Sponsors.

Ukraine Family Scheme

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The Ukraine Family Scheme closed at 3pm on 19 February 2024, however, the following are important differences for those who arrived through the Family Visa Scheme to be aware of.

For those who arrive through the Family Visa Scheme:

Our Local Authority cannot provide an initial £200 per person payment
Our Local Authority does not carry out a property check or Disclosure Scotland check
The optional £350 ‘thank you’ payment cannot be paid to a family member
The exemptions in place relating to Benefits and Council Tax do not apply under the Family Visa scheme

Our Local Authority cannot provide the same type of assistance under the Family Visa scheme, as the Government has different arrangements in place for this.

If any additional advice or assistance is needed, for anyone arriving under the Family Visa scheme, the usual Fife Council and national services are available.

Register for Universal Credit as soon as possible on arrival.
Start a claim by visiting the nearest JobCentre Plus.
Or start a claim online.
Call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 13, and you’ll get free support from trained advisers to make a claim.
Try the Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice.

As well as UK Government benefits, as families may be entitled to wider benefits available through Social Security Scotland.
To speak with an advisor about Social Security Scotland benefits, call their helpline 0800 182 2222 – interpretation services are available. Translated factsheets.
If immediate financial assistance is needed, a request for advance payment of Universal Credit can be requested, however, if faced with destitution, please contact Social Work on 03451 55 15 03.
To access English language lessons, contact our English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) service by emailing abe.esol@fife.gov.uk or call 0800 7835161.
Free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice is also available to anyone through Citizen Advice.
For information on housing options in Fife, please visit www.fifehousingregister.org.uk
For further information and advice about immigration status, please refer to our ‘National source of advice’ & other advice providers in the ‘Other help’ sections

More information

For more information on Homes for Ukraine: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guides

Scottish Government Guidance for Hosts - Super Sponsor Scheme and Homes for Ukraine: guidance for hosts - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Ukraine arrivals schemes FAQs

Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsorship schemes

Ukraine Family Scheme

More information

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Ukraine arrivals schemes FAQs

Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsorship schemes

What is the Homes for Ukraine Scheme?

What is the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme?

Who can be a sponsor?

Who from Ukraine is eligible for these schemes?

How can I become a sponsor through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme?

What is the difference between these two schemes?

What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?

What support do sponsors provide?

What help can arrivals get with travel from the airport?

I’m part of an organisation and want to help – what can we do?

Is there a fee to become a "sponsor"?

What security checks are required for unaccompanied children and protected adults arriving from Ukraine?

Ukraine Family Scheme

What is the Ukraine Family Scheme?

What differences are there between the Family Scheme and other sponsorship schemes, like Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsorship?

More information

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Necessary cookies

Analytics cookies

Social Media / Embedded Media cookies

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