Refugee resettlement

Support for Ukraine

Homes for Ukraine

In 2022 the government launched a sponsorship scheme for residents wanting to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. Since that time, many sponsors (hosts) in the district have generously opened their homes to guests.

Eligibility

To apply to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who has been granted permission under, or is applying and qualifies under, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

If your application is successful, you can stay in the UK for up to 18 months.

If you are a child joining your parent who is also your sponsor and they have less than 18 months permission remaining, your permission to stay will be aligned with your parent’s.

NEW Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

A further permission extension scheme for an additional 24 months opens 8 April 2026.  Apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme - GOV.UK

Ukrainians can only apply for the new scheme when their current permission has 90 days or less remaining until it expires. 

Ukrainians must remain in the UK during their application period.

Parents can now become a sponsor under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and apply for their children to have visas under the scheme.

The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme replaces the following visa schemes:

To qualify for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme a Ukraine must have been on one of the above schemes and must:

  • be in the UK when making an application
  • have been living in the UK (and Islands, which includes Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man) since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes

Apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme

Information for hosts

See the government’s web pages below for information about how to become a Homes for Ukraine sponsor, including checks the council will make, and eligibility criteria.

Guidance on becoming a sponsor

Guidance on eligibility and other checks

Information for Ukrainian nationals

Guidance on government support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members. This includes the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows family members of British nationals to come to or stay in the UK; and the Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine, which enables people and organisations such as charities, businesses and community groups to sponsor Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come to the UK.

Host payments

From 1st April 2025, sponsors/hosts receive £350 per month. From 1 January 2027 this payment will reduce to £100 per month.  When a guest moves to the NEW Ukraine Permission Extension scheme all host thank you payments cease.

Homes for Ukraine Council Tax Scheme

Find more information about the scheme on please the Government website.

Accommodation options

There are a number of options available for guests and hosts:

  • Guests can continue to stay at host accommodation under the current Homes for Ukraine scheme. 
  • Guests can look to move to private accommodation – for more information, see our web page on finding rented accommodation

Hosts can formalise a tenancy/lodging arrangement, this could include making their properties HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) – see our web page on information for landlords. 

If you are currently under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, some financial support may be available to help you transition from hosted to independent accommodation.  The type and level of support depends upon your circumstances. 

You may also be able to join our housing register, see this page on our website for more information or contact our housing team.

Sponsors, hosts or guest who needs support and advice should contact the resettlement team either by email at resettlement.team@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or directly on 01295 221635.