This page provides information and links to these two schemes and includes below what and when we can support constituents with enquiries.
The Home Office are prioritising all applications made to the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Home for Ukraine Scheme above all other non-exceptional applications they have received from other applicants/parts of the world. They have engaged more resource, as well as diverting a significant number of their existing resource, to processing Ukrainian applications.
Application numbers are high at this time and data is published approximately weekly on numbers: Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) visa data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
As of 27th April the Home Office had received around 117,600 applications comprised of:
- Ukraine Family Scheme: 42,900 (this is up approx. 1,700 applications in the last 7 days) and
- Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: 74,700 (this is up approx. 8,800 applications in the last 7 days).
As of the 27th April the following have been fully processed/issued:
- 34,900 family scheme visas (scheme launched 4th March – this is up approx. 2,400 in the last 7 days) and
- 51,300 sponsor scheme visas (scheme launched 18th March – this is up approx. 12,000 in the last 7 days).
The charts below show figures published on applications and numbers processed.
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
Details of the scheme are available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsors…
FAQs: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-q…
If you have registered for the scheme and are looking to identify a person or family to sponsor you may consider using one of these websites:
https://www.refugeesathome.org/
https://www.roomforrefugees.com/
https://www.shelter4ua.com/ua#faq
https://resetuk.org/about/ukraine
** Please note these are third party websites, independent of the Government.
Ukraine Family Scheme
Details of the scheme are available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-ukraine-family-scheme-visa
How can my office help?
Q. How long does visa application processing take?
There is no published service standard (leadtime) by the Home Office for visa applications for Ukrainian refugees. We are receiving mixed reports from other constituents of how long it is taking to obtain a decision and the necessary travel documents. Some of this also appears dependent on where the person is when they apply and whether they have a passport or not.
Based on what we are seeing reported to us by constituents, the whole process, from application (with a passport) or biometrics (without a passport) to receipt of travel documents can be from around 3 weeks, whereas in other cases it is taking far longer.
Q. Can my application be prioritised?
All applications to the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme are being prioritised above all other routine visa applications. There is no additional escalation available unless there are extenuating circumstances, for example urgent travel is required for medical purposes. If this applies to your family member or sponsored applicant, please contact us and we can arrange to collect the additional evidence needed for the Home Office to consider the request.
Q. Are the Home Office UKVI recruiting more staff to deal with the volume of applications?
The Home Office have engaged more resource, as well as diverting a significant number of their existing resource, to processing Ukrainian applications.
Q. What enquiries can we make as an MP’s office?
We are able to support enquiries from constituents who are sponsoring via the Homes for Ukraine or Family Visa Schemes in certain circumstances.
For example, if the application was submitted 3 weeks ago we can contact the Home Office (once we have received the necessary details of the application and consent from the applicant – see detail below) – to request an update on the status of the application.
Or if an application has been submitted but no acknowledgement of receipt has been sent to the applicant within 7 days we can make enquiries to confirm that the application has been received.
Q. I am trying to sponsor an unaccompanied minor (under 18 year old) on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme – why is the decision on the visa taking longer?
The Ukrainian Government are not supportive of applications for unaccompanied minors. We have been advised by Lord Harrington, the Minister for Refugees, that they prefer instead to keep minors close to the country’s borders, predominantly in Poland. The Homes for Ukraine scheme is only open to adults or children travelling with adult family members.
Q. The family group I am sponsoring has received some decisions on their applications but not all of them. Why not?
We have found that if a member of the ‘family group’ is a minor (under 18) and they are not travelling with their parent, but travelling with another family member, that additional checks are often required, at the request of the Ukrainian Government.
If you have one or more members of the family group you are sponsoring via the Homes for Ukraine Scheme or Ukraine Family Scheme who have not received their decisions, but others in the group have, please do contact us and my caseworker can support you with enquiries.
Q. How does the MP’s office contact the Home Office?
The Home Office do operate an MP helpline. This is extremely busy at the moment and waiting times are long. Constituent enquiries are therefore grouped together to limit the time the caseworker is queuing.
Q. What Information does the MP’s office need to be able to contact the Home Office?
Step 1: We must have the following details for each applicant:-
o Full name of the applicant
o Their date of birth
o Their place of birth
o The visa application number
o Their passport number and expiry date (if application is made with a passport)
o The date and place of the biometrics (if application is made without a passport)
o Application date
o Name of UK sponsor
o Relationship to applicant (if applying via Ukraine Family Scheme)
- Step 2: We must also demonstrate we have consent from the applicant (lead adult – if a family group).
o This can be sent by email to mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk
o It should be a statement advising that they give us permission to approach the Home Office about the application(s) and share this detail with the UK sponsor.
o The Home Office rightly insist on strict data protection processes and will not share any details with us unless we can demonstrate we have the (lead) adult applicant’s explicit written permission.
Q. What other information is available about what’s on offer in West Sussex?
West Sussex County Council lead on refugee support locally. More information is available here: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/supporti…
Q. Are there any other useful websites?
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee/help-for-ref…
Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Homes for Ukraine: guidance for councils - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please contact me by email (mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk) or on my contact form (https://www.mimsdavies.org.uk/contact) if you have any further questions and my casework team will try to assist you.