The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (HFU) allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to come to the UK. Each person must apply separately, including children.
UK residents can offer a spare room or self-contained property to someone fleeing the war in Ukraine. You do not need to know the person you sponsor.
Who can become a sponsor
To become a sponsor, you must:
- be aged 18 or over
- be a UK or Irish citizen, or have settled status (indefinite leave to remain)
- offer a spare room or home for at least 6 months
Register your interest to become a host on GOV.UK
Thank you payment for hosts
If you host a Ukrainian person or family, you may be eligible for a monthly thank you payment (optional).
£350 per month is paid while guests are staying with you or in your accommodation. Payments may stop at the end of the 18 month UPE extension, subject to government updates
Guests are encouraged to find their own accommodation by the end of the extension or agree a rental agreement with you (such as a rent a room scheme).
You'll need to reapply for host payments after your guest receives their UPE extension.
Download the relevant forms to reapply or update your bank details:
Complete and return your forms via email.
Email: [email protected]
Match with someone in Ukraine
If you want to match with someone in Ukraine to host them, you can do this through USPUK.
Become a host through the USPUK website
Sponsoring someone for a visa
If you're helping someone apply for a visa, read the Homes for Ukraine visa guidance on GOV.UK
What happens after the visa application
Once the visa application has been submitted, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will share limited details with the Cumberland Resettlement Service so we can begin pre-arrival checks.
We'll contact you to:
- arrange a home visit to inspect the accommodation
- carry out enhanced DBS checks for all adults aged 18 and over, living in the home
There is no cost to you for the DBS checks.
Local authorities must assess whether the hosting arrangement is suitable before guests can travel.
If you want to host someone already in the UK, you can:
- complete the EOI host form
- email: [email protected]
What to expect from a housing inspection
A case officer will visit your home to check:
- the information you provided is accurate
- the property meets housing standards and is free from hazards
- fire safety measures are in place
Your accommodation must be:
- clean and in a reasonable condition
- free from serious health and safety hazards
- suitable for the number of people staying
Accommodation must also:
- have adequate kitchen and bathroom space
- have access to drinking water
- have working smoke detectors on each floor
- have a carbon monoxide detector in rooms with solid fuel appliances (for example a coal fire, wood burning stove)
- have heating to keep the home at a comfortable temperature
- have safe gas appliances and a recent Gas Safety check
- have safe electrics (get help from a qualified electrician if unsure)
- be mostly free from damp or mould
- have secure doors and windows at entry level
- be easy and safe to move around in
Two people can share a room only if they are:
- adult cohabiting partners
- a parent and child
- two siblings of the same gender aged 10 and over
- two siblings of any gender aged 10 and under
People who don’t know each other should not share a room.
Staying in touch before arrival
We recommend regular contact with your guests before they arrive. You can use FaceTime, Zoom or text to:
- get to know each other
- discuss house rules and expectations
Children being sponsored by a parent or legal guardian
Parents or legal guardians with permission under any Ukraine Scheme can sponsor their child under Homes for Ukraine. The child must be under 18.
Children sponsored by their parent or guardian will:
- be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to 18 months
- have access to education, healthcare, benefits and employment (if eligible)
Parents sponsoring their own children are not eligible for thank you payments.
Find more information about Children being sponsored by a parent or legal guardian on GOV.UK
Eligibility
To qualify, both the child and parent must meet all Homes for Ukraine visa requirements.
The parent or guardian:
- does not need settled status but must have permission under a Ukraine Scheme (or Leave outside the Immigration Rules granted before the schemes were introduced)
- must offer accommodation for the full duration of the child’s visa
- must provide evidence of their relationship with the child (birth, adoption or guardianship documents)
If the parent’s visa is shorter than 18 months, the child’s visa will match the parent’s.
DBS checks are not required for parents sponsoring their own children.
Support from the Resettlement Service
Once your guests arrive, a Resettlement Case Officer and Ukrainian interpreter will support you.
They’ll help with:
- registering with the Department for Work and Pensions
- registering with a GP
- accessing education and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
- preparing for independent living after 6 months (you can continue hosting if you wish)
After your guests arrive
Confirm their arrival by emailing: [email protected]
Your Case Officer will:
- arrange a follow-up home visit
- provide a £200 welcome voucher per Ukrainian guest (redeemable at your local Post Office)
What your guests are entitled to
Your guests can:
- apply for Universal Credit or other benefits
- enrol in education
- seek employment
You cannot charge rent. You’re not required to provide meals, but you can if you wish.
If your guests travel abroad
If your guests leave the UK for more than 4 weeks, you must tell us so we can pause your Thank you payments.
Contact your Case Officer directly or email [email protected]
Let us know when they return so we can restart your payments.
Read more about temporary absences on GOV.UK
If your guests leave your accommodation
If your guests:
- move into private or council housing
- move in with family or friends
- leave the UK
You must tell us immediately so we can stop your host payments.
Failure to notify us may result in overpayments, which you’ll need to repay in full.