We're here to help in coming from Ukraine

We want to do everything we can to support anyone affected by the horrific conflict in Ukraine. We’re sharing advice on bringing family members from Ukraine to the UK, what to do if you’re currently living in the UK but your visa is set to expire, and what you should know if you want to offer to let someone from Ukraine come and live with you. 
We’re also sharing other support that is available if you’re arriving in Manchester from Ukraine, such as help with claiming benefits, accessing health and work services and understanding your legal rights while you’re here. 

Bringing family members from Ukraine to the UK

If you live in the UK but have family members in Ukraine, the government has introduced special rules to make it easier for them to come to the UK. This is called the ‘sponsorship scheme’ and doesn't cost anything to apply for. 

To qualify to be a sponsor you must meet certain conditions. Once here your family members will have the right to work and study in the UK as well as being able to claim benefits, use the NHS and access free English language classes. 

If you’re currently living in the UK but your visa is set to expire 

If you’re a Ukrainian national already living in the UK, there are a number of ways you can stay in the UK. You can either switch to a family scheme visa, switch to a work or study visa (even if you’ve previously applied) or extend the visa you have now.

If you have a family or Skilled Worker visa, it’s best to apply to extend your visa if possible. This means that your time in the UK will continue to count towards getting ‘indefinite leave to remain’ status.

From 3 May, the government has announced the Ukraine Extension Scheme which allows Ukrainian nationals who had permission to stay in the UK before 18 March to apply for an extension to their visa. Your partner and children can also apply if they’re in the UK as your ‘dependants’. 

If you want to offer to let someone from Ukraine live with you 

You can volunteer for someone from Ukraine to come and live with you under the ‘Homes For Ukraine’ scheme. If you know who you want to host, they can apply to come to the UK with you as their sponsor. Alternatively, you can sign up to be matched with one or more people. 

In order to host someone you must have enough space for someone to live with you, for example a spare room or an empty property. You will also need to get permission from your landlord or mortgage provider, if you have one. 

You must be willing to house someone for at least six months and the government will provide a payment of £350 per month towards the cost - regardless of how many people you are hosting. More information on the Homes For Ukraine scheme can be found on the Manchester City Council website. 

Support available for Ukraine residents arriving in the UK 

When arriving in the UK, the government will provide you and your family members with a £200 grant to help cover any immediate costs whilst you are settling in. There is also a ‘welcome booklet’ available to download from the government website containing essential information for anyone arriving from Ukraine. 

If you need advice on how to access welfare benefits, your employment and housing rights, coping with debts or energy advice, we provide free, confidential advice free-of-charge to anyone who needs it. If you are in Manchester, you contact us free on 0808 278 7800 or visit our ‘get advice’ page to find more ways to access help. 

There is a range of support available for Ukraine residents arriving in Manchester, such as the Greater Manchester free transport scheme and United For Ukraine job opportunities scheme. The Manchester City Council website also contains useful information for registering for a GP, accessing childcare and education and claiming benefits. 

If you want to donate towards helping the Ukraine crisis 

The Greater Manchester Ukraine Crisis Response fund has been set up by charities across Greater Manchester to allow residents to donate towards helping those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. You can find out more and donate by visiting the 10GM fundraiser page. 

We Love Manchester have also set up the Manchester Ukraine Welcome Fund to help support refugees and Ukrainian communities within Manchester. You can find more information or donate by visiting the Manchester Ukraine Welcome fundraiser page. 

If you would like to donate items such as sleeping bags, toiletries, clothing or other essentials, there are collection points available across Manchester including the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Cheetham Hill and Bee House Bar on Deansgate. The Polish Integration Support Centre is providing collection points at locations across Greater Manchester.