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Offer your home as host through Southwark’s Homes for Ukraine scheme

Information if you'd like to become a host for Ukraine guests

Find useful information if you live in Southwark and are considering sharing your home with Ukraine guests.

Becoming a host or sponsor

  • you must first find the person or people you'd like to host in your home; if you don’t already have a connection to a potential guest, there are established and trusted charities that run a matching scheme, such as Reset (www.homesforukraine.org.uk)
  • you or your potential guest should complete the application form for a visa - to complete the form you must have passport numbers and other personal details for both guests and sponsors; guests will need to upload a scan of their passport - if they do not own a passport, they will need to go to a visa application centre
  • after the application is submitted, security checks are done on you, all other adults in your household, as well as the guest
  • once everyone has passed the checks, the Home Office will issue the guest with a permit to travel and they can then arrange their arrival in the UK with you; we'll also provide welcome arrangements and support
  • this scheme is currently only open to individuals; however, soon the scheme will be open for businesses and community groups to register to sponsor refugees
    • more information can be found on the government’s Homes for Ukraine webpage; a lead sponsor will be needed for each household, so where a couple has applied, one of them should be named as “lead sponsor”

Being approved as a Southwark host or sponsor

  • you must be based in the UK and have permission to be in the UK for at least six months
  • provide one of the following documents to prove your identity:
    • UK Passport
    • Irish Passport or Passport Card
    • Biometric Residence Permit
    • Biometric Residence Card (issued to non-EEA family members granted leave under the EU settlement scheme).
    • Refugee Travel Document
    • UK -issued photo driving licence
    • Irish-issued photo driving licence
    • Crown Dependency-issued photo driving licence
  • confirm you can provide UK accommodation for a period of at least six months and ensure that all adults (18 years and over) in your household meet all of the requirements to become sponsors

If you experience issues with the visa application process

We do not have any communication with the Home Office during the visa application process, so you should contact the Home Office directly. There's information on the application process on the Government’s Homes for Ukraine website - Government Guidance on applying for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)

Ukrainians needing assistance with the visa scheme can call the Home Office’s 24/7 free helpline +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK). If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.

What is expected of sponsors

To be approved as a sponsor you must:

  • meet the necessary eligibility and suitability requirements and be able to provide a safe and suitable home for at least six months
  • before your guests arrive, notify your insurers that you will be hosting people from Ukraine
  • stay in regular contact with your guests to help organise and coordinate their safe arrival
  • meet them on arrival, or provide full and clear instructions on how to reach your property if you can’t be there in person
  • support and help guests to adapt to life in the UK, such as directing them to the services they will need such as registering with a GP or NHS dentist
  • check they have enough food and supplies such as toiletries, and ensure they have access to a mobile phone and internet to stay in touch with family members (they can access free WiFi from a local library)

Checks that will be carried out

Standard security checks will be carried out by the government. This will include checks against Government records as well as other databases such as the Police National Computer. These security checks will be carried out on all adults aged over 18 living in your household.

If the Home Office considers that you, or another adult in living in your home, are not suitable to become sponsors, they may refuse your visa application.

We're required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on everyone aged over 16 in your household. This will be free and our team will provide information and help you through the process.

Additional information from the government on becoming a sponsor

Find more helpful information below:

Page last updated: 24 May 2022

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