Change Language
Ukrainians Going to the UK – Summary Guidance
This is a Summary Guidance note as of 29 March 2022. The rules are continually changing. This document will be updated regularly.
Care4Calais is a UK charity working with lawyers in the UK who can help you free of charge. Our contact details are at the bottom of this document.
First way to come to the UK – Ukraine Family Scheme – if you have relatives in the UK
Requirements
- You must have a family member in the UK (Parent, Grandparent, Spouse, Child, Brother, Sister, Uncle, Aunty, Niece or Nephew, Fiancée, sometimes others are considered)
- You must be Ukrainian resident before 1 January 2022 AND
- One member of your family must be a Ukrainian National (born in Ukraine or holds Ukrainian passport)
- You must do one application form for each family member, including children.
It is free to apply and you can stay in the UK for 3 years
You apply online here and you will be sent a letter by email which will authorise you to enter the UK.
If you all have Ukraine passports and documents to prove your family relationships (such as marriage and birth certificates) you should get an answer quickly. If you don’t have these documents it is still possible to use the scheme but you may need to go to a visa application centre. When you fill in the form provide as much information as possible and explain why you don’t have documents.
If you are still in Ukraine and you don’t have an International Ukraine passport you may be able to apply for one in Ukraine before you leave.
There is a UK helpline +44 808 164 8810 More information in English here.
Second way to come to the UK – Sponsorship Scheme – if you do not have family in the UK
If you do not have family in the UK you can come to the UK if a family or organisation in the UK sponsors you to come.
Requirements
- You must be Ukrainian resident before 1 January 2022 AND
- You must be a Ukrainian National (born in Ukraine or Ukrainian passport)
It is free to apply, you can stay in the UK for 3 years
We can help you to find a family. Our contact details are at the end of this document.
OR – you can be sponsored by the Scottish Government or the Welsh Government. This is a good thing as Scotland and Wales are very welcoming to refugees and your visa may arrive faster. Once you arrive you may transfer to England by finding a family there to sponsor you, or you can stay in Scotland or in Wales.
You apply online here
You will reach a page where you can choose “Ukraine sponsorship scheme”, then choose “I am being sponsored by an organisation”
On the next page, headed “Sponsoring Organisation” choose “The Scottish Government” or “The Welsh Government” from the dropdown box.
If you all have Ukraine passports you should get an answer quickly. If you don’t have these documents it is still possible to use the scheme but you may need to go to a visa application centre. When you fill in the form provide as much information as possible and explain why you don’t have documents.
If you are still in Ukraine and you don’t have an International Ukraine passport you may be able to apply for one in Ukraine before you leave.
There is a UK helpline +44 808 164 8810 More information in English here
If you do not have Ukrainian Nationality
We are working with UK lawyers and can sometimes find an answer for you but, often, you cannot come to the UK.
- If you have refugee status in Ukraine, you can go to Ireland. You can travel direct from Cherbourg in France to Ireland. You will need a visa. More info here: ly/UkrIreland You may also have other options such as Germany.
- If you were a student in Ukraine, you might be able to go to Hungary or Finland.
Accommodation
At the moment, free accommodation is available in Paris and Calais while you wait for your visa to UK:
| Paris | Calais |
|---|---|
| Hall 2 1 Accès Place des Insurgés de Varsovie 75015 Paris |
Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 62100 |
| 151 Av. Jean Lolive, 93500 Pantin |
In Paris, volunteers from the Red Cross can find other accommodation options for you both in Paris and in other cities of France. To do this, you need to arrive at the Gare de l’Est railway station in Paris (located at: Rue du 8 Mai 1945, 75010 Paris and approach people with the symbols of the Red Cross.
In the UK
You will get:
- an allowance that can range from £250 to £500 per month
- access to free healthcare
- free education for children
- English lessons
- help to find a job
- possibly other payments depending on circumstances
Further information or if you have you have a problem and need our help:
