In January 2025 the government published information on a number of changes taking place across the different Ukrainian visa schemes.
As individual visas start to come to an end, Ukrainians will need to apply for the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (GOV.UK website) which opens from 4 February 2025. You must make an application before your current permission expires. The scheme will be valid for 18 months.
Ukrainians can only apply for the new scheme when their current permission has 28 days or less remaining until it expires. The government has stated that the application process could take up to 8 weeks.
Ukrainians must remain in the UK until the decision is made.
Parents can now become a sponsor under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (GOV.UK website) and apply for their children to have visas under the scheme.
The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme replaces the following visa schemes:
- Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) on GOV.UK
- Ukraine Family Scheme on GOV.UK
- Ukraine Extension Scheme on GOV.UK
To qualify for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme a Ukraine must have been on one of the above schemes and must:
- be in the UK when making an application
- have been living in the UK (and Islands, which includes Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man) since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes
Apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme on GOV.UK
Information for hosts
See the government’s web pages below for information about how to become a Homes for Ukraine sponsor, including checks the council will make, and eligibility criteria:
- Guidance on becoming a sponsor on GOV.UK
- Guidance on eligibility and other checks for becoming a sponsor on GOV.UK
Host payments
After 1 April 2025, sponsors / hosts will be eligible to receive £350 a month per household, irrespective of how long guests have been in the UK.
If a guest is in a sponsorship arrangement when granted permission under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, their sponsor/host will be asked to reapply for thank you payments if they wish to continue to receive a monthly payment. Eligible sponsors/hosts of those previously on Homes for Ukraine visas will be able to claim thank you payments of £350 a month, for the 18 months that guests are covered by the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme visa.
Accommodation options
For further guidance on accommodation options please see our page on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
If you are currently under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, some financial support may be available to help you transition from hosted to independent accommodation. The type and level of support depends upon your circumstances.
If you need further advice, then please contact our Ukraine Housing Team by email: hfus@oxford.gov.uk.
