On 14th March 2022, the United Kingdom launched a UK Homes for Ukraine refugee scheme to home Ukrainian refugees. It is called 'Homes for Ukraine' and the 'Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme'. Under Phase One of the project, the UK government asked sponsors to nominate a Ukrainian individual or family who has no relatives in the UK. It is to allow them to stay in their home (for free). This stay will be a minimum of six months long. The refugee and sponsor will be checked, including if the accommodation is suitable for the refugee.

Ukraine Family Scheme

The government will also extend £350 each month to families hosting Ukrainian refugees in their homes, this payment will be tax-free. Also, the local authorities will receive £10,500 as extra funds for each refugee. This amount will exceed if the refugees are those with children of school age.

Homes For Ukraine Benefits

This scheme does not only stops here, but it also comes with offering Ukrainians other benefits. Through this scheme, Ukrainians who enter the UK will be given permission to remain for three years, with the right to work, benefits, and public services. Also, the government is aiming to send roughly 100,000 school-aged Ukrainian children to UK schools. They are confident that the educational system will be able to handle it.

Role Of Local Organizations And Community

Charities, religious organizations, and local community organizations also assist potential sponsors who have no identified contact. Thus, they will assist in pairing refugees with hosts in the UK. 

How to Apply for Ukraine Schemes

• To apply for this scheme, visit the UK government's official website
• You and your sponsor meet and agree to be paired together. If you don't know anyone in the UK, charities, church groups, and community organizations will help create relationships.
• Before applying, check with your sponsor if you have any unique criteria. For example, If you have a little child, are elderly, or someone has a disability.
• Either you or your sponsor fills out a single visa application form online in the UK. It should include both of your information.
• In the application, you need to fill in the passport numbers of you and your sponsor.
• If your Ukrainian passport is valid, you need to upload a copy of the picture on your Ukrainian international passport.
• Those travelling with you do not have passports (e.g. children), then book an appointment with the application centre and record your biometrics.
• After submission of the application, you and your sponsors will be vetted.
• After passing all checks, you will receive a letter from UK Visa & Immigration, allowing you to travel to the UK.

Controversy Surrounding the Scheme

Soon after the launch of the UK Homes for Ukraine refugee scheme, it got enveloped in controversy. People are concerned and fear the authenticity of the project. Different statistics are surfacing about the arrival of refugees under the scheme, and the public office is facing lash back over the scheme.

Several cases are reported where people have complained about still waiting for their visas to enter the UK as a refugee. On the other hand, many foreigners are faking as Ukrainian refugees to benefit from the scheme. Many MPs have objected to the speed and scale of the process. Also, there are deep concerns about the project's design, which is thought to be insufficient to cater to the mass refugee inflow. 

Apart from controversies and mixed statistics, which are surfacing everywhere. The fact is that the war in Ukraine has forced millions to leave their homes, and these numbers are increasing very rapidly.

There is still time for the government to re-assess the scheme, but there is resistance to making any changes to the scheme. Thus, it may take longer for them to take sufficient steps.

In the long run, the successes of the program will reveal how much sincerity was put into the scheme.