Offering to let someone from Ukraine stay with you

Summary

They will need to go to a visa application centre before they travel. They can book an appointment when they apply. You can find their nearest visa application centre on GOV.UK. The visa application centre will ask them for proof of their identity - for example an identity card or non-Ukrainian passport. If possible, they should scan or take photos of their documents and upload them on the visa application centre’s website before their appointment. If the documents are in Ukrainian, it’s worth them translating the documents into English - or asking someone else to translate them. They can get templates to help translate documents on the Charity Translators website. They should apply as soon as possible even if they don’t have translated documents - they can upload them later. If they don’t have any evidence, they should explain why. The visa application centre should accept their application if there’s a good reason they can’t get any evidence. The visa application centre should take their photo and fingerprints. They will usually have to come back later to pick up a visa - this will let them enter the UK. They will get permission to stay in the UK for 18 months. If possible, your.

Key information

• They will need to go to a visa application centre before they travel. They can book an appointment when they apply. You can find their nearest visa application centre on GOV.UK.
• The visa application centre will ask them for proof of their identity - for example an identity card or non-Ukrainian passport.
• If possible, they should scan or take photos of their documents and upload them on the visa application centre’s website before their appointment.
• If the documents are in Ukrainian, it’s worth them translating the documents into English - or asking someone else to translate them. They can get templates to help translate documents on the Charity Translators website. They should apply as soon as possible even if they don’t have translated documents - they can upload them later.
• If they don’t have any evidence, they should explain why. The visa application centre should accept their application if there’s a good reason they can’t get any evidence.
• The visa application centre should take their photo and fingerprints. They will usually have to come back later to pick up a visa - this will let them enter the UK.
• If possible, your guests should arrive in the UK at a ‘welcome point’. Most of the UK’s major ports and airports are welcome points. You can find the list of welcome points on GOV.UK.
• Your local council will give your guests £200 each to help pay for things at first. The money will usually be paid in cash.
• You’ll need to help your guests get from where they arrive in the UK to where they’re going to stay.
• If your guests have Ukrainian international passports, they’ll be allowed to travel for free on buses and trains for 48 hours after they arrive in the UK. Find out more about free travel for Ukrainian citizens on the National Rail website.

Practical guidance

• Source: Offering to let someone from Ukraine stay with you

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