Ukraine

In response to the invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, the UK Government announced four main visa routes by which Ukrainian nationals can enter or remain in the UK.

Homes For Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Lancashire Refugee Integration Team coordinates the local authority response to the scheme, which focuses on undertaking safeguarding checks and providing wider community integration support.

See further support and guidance available to Sponsors and Guests.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

You can apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme if you’re Ukrainian, or the family member of someone Ukrainian. You can apply if you had permission to stay in the UK on or before 18 March 2022. You can also apply if you have permission to stay that expired on or after 1 January 2022.

Read more information about applying to the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

This scheme will close for new applications on 16^th May 2024 for everyone except UK born children to Ukrainian nationals with permission to stay via another scheme.

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

On 18^th February 2024, the UK Home Office announced a new scheme called Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

The scheme will allow Ukrainian nationals who have obtained a visa through a different Ukraine scheme, to apply to extend their stay for 18 months,

More information about the scheme will be announced in late 2024 with applications opening in early 2025.

Ukraine Family Scheme

The Ukraine Family Scheme allowed family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK. 

This route closed for new applications at 3pm on 19^th February 2024.

Both the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme are coordinated and funded by individuals and require no local authority involvement.

The number of arrivals in Lancashire under both of these visa routes is currently unknown.

Homes For Ukraine resettlement figures

As of 13^th March 2024 we have seen over 1700 Ukrainian guests arrive into Lancashire through the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

Almost 600 guests remain in sponsor accommodation, whilst over 1100 have moved on from their sponsor's house.