The UK Government has rolled out a number of schemes to help those arriving to the UK from Ukraine as a result of the ongoing invasion of their country.

Whether you’re looking to house a Ukrainian family or individual in your home, or help them into work through your business, here is some information which could help:

• Ukraine Family Scheme visa
  • The Ukraine Family Scheme allows immediate and extended family members of British nationals, people settled in the UK, and certain others resident here, to come to the country.
  • Those granted under the Scheme will be granted a visa that lasts three years.
  • It is free to apply and applicants will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
• Homes for Ukraine Scheme
  • The Homes for Ukraine Scheme allows people seeking sanctuary with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored by individuals who can offer them a home, such as a spare room or unoccupied residential self-contained unit.
  • It is free to apply.
  • Applicants will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds for up to 3 years.
• Ukraine Extension Scheme

The Ukrainian Extension Scheme is available to:

• • • • Ukrainian nationals in the UK who have temporary visas, including work, study or visit visas (free of charge).
      • Ukrainians who had visas on or before 18 March 2022, or visas which have expired since 1 January 2022
      • Partners and children if they are already in the UK as ‘dependants’.

• Information on the right to work and rent checks:

• • Ukrainians who are granted a visa under one of the above schemes have the right to work in the UK and rent private property in England, if they chose to do so.
  • Employers and landlords should conduct right to work and rent checks on all Ukrainian nationals wishing to take up employment or renting whilst they have leave.
  • Right to Work and Right to Rent checks operate in exactly the same way for Ukrainian nationals on the Ukraine Schemes. The only difference is in what documents they have on arrival in the UK.
  • Those Ukrainians arriving in the UK can evidence their right to work and rent either with their valid passport or with their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
  • For landlords, it is also important to note that the Homes for Ukraine Scheme does not fall within the Right to Rent Scheme. This will change, however, if or when they move into private rented accommodation in England.

• Employment support:

• • Employers who have work available which could be offered to people arriving from Ukraine, are encouraged to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Refugee Employment Network (REN) with information.
  • If you are an employer, you can use a form within the to tell the DWP and the REN about work (full-time, part-time and voluntary) you can offer to people arriving from Afghanistan or Ukraine.
  • The Refugee Employment Network (REN) brings together non-profits, local authorities and businesses to ensure refugees in the UK have access to paid work or self-employment opportunities. Click to access the full guidance.

To find out more, the UK Home Office have shared guidance for employers and landlords, which can be accessed .