The Ukraine Advice Project is a free service, separate to the UJA, that advises on immigration law. To access the service you can email projectu@dlapiper.com. Below we set out in brief the rules for Ukrainian refugees seeking to enter the UK.
1. UK companies are able to sponsor Ukrainian nationals to come and work in the UK. In order to do so, the company must have a sponsor license issued by the Home Office. A list of companies with sponsor licences can be found here.
2. Sponsor companies can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (a "COS") to skilled Ukrainian nationals on the following basis:
a. The role offered must be for a genuine vacancy which is RQF level 3 (A-level) or above;
b. The applicant must have the correct skills, experience and qualifications for the role;
c. In most circumstances, a minimum salary of £25,600 p/a or the "going rate" for the job type (whichever is higher) must be met;
d. The skilled worker must meet the English language requirements, i.e. (i) a degree recognised by the Home Office as having been taught in English, (ii) holding an A level or Scottish Higher in English language or English literature (iii) being a national of an English speaking country, (iv) or having passed an English language test at an approved test provider showing a knowledge of English equivalent to level BI or above the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning (link to test providers here);
e. The sponsor company must assign the correct type of COS to the applicant.
3. As soon as the company has assigned the COS then the application for leave to enter or remain in the UK as a Skilled Worker can be submitted here.
4. Applicants can bring their spouse or partner and children (under-18) to the UK as their dependents. Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate their family in the UK.
5. A sponsor company can elect to certify maintenance for the applicant and the applicant's family members on the COS. Applicants should discuss this with the sponsor company prior to submitting the application.
6. Once the application has been submitted, the applicant has proved their identity and provided their documents, they should receive a decision within 3 weeks.
1. The scheme is open to Ukrainian nationals who were residents in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022. It is also open to their immediate family members, including: a spouse, a civil partner, an unmarried partner (who you have lived with for 2yrs), children under-18, a parent under-18, fiancées or a proposed civil partner.
2. Applicants can apply from Ukraine or any other third country.
3. The UK government has said that the scheme will open so as to allow businesses and/or organisations based in the UK to sponsor Ukrainians hoping to move to the UK. However, for now, only individuals in the UK can apply through the scheme to provide accommodation for Ukrainian nationals.
4. Ukrainian nationals can register their interest in being sponsored here. The organisation Homes for Ukraine will then try and match you with a UK based sponsor.
5. If a Ukrainian national has already identified an individual able to sponsor them in the UK, they can fill out the visa application form here.
6. More detailed information and contact details for assistance are available on the government website: Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
1. The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. It is free to apply.
2. In order to apply, you must:
a. Be applying to join or accompany a UK-based family member; and
b. Be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme; and
c. Have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (inc. those who have now left Ukraine).
3. You can apply online here to enter the UK under this scheme. The application is also an application for a biometric immigration document.