Who is eligible to sponsor a Ukrainian family under the Homes for Ukraine scheme?
To become a sponsor for a Ukrainian guest or family under the UK government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, you must meet several eligibility and identity verification requirements.
These requirements are based on official guidance from GOV.UK and are subject to change, so we strongly recommend always checking the most current information at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eligibility-safeguarding-dbs-and-accommodation-checks-homes-for-ukraine
To be eligible as a sponsor, you must:
Be aged 18 or over
Be based in the UK
Be a British or Irish citizen or have settled status (indefinite leave to remain) on the date the visa application is submitted
Be able to offer accommodation for at least 6 months
You’ll also need to provide proof of identity through one of the following:
A UK or Irish passport
A valid biometric residence permit or card
A Home Office travel document
A share code and date of birth (to verify immigration status online)
A UK/Ireland/Crown Dependency driving licence plus a matching birth or adoption certificate
Sponsors without a valid passport may use recently expired passports, birth certificates (if born before 1983), or registration/naturalisation documents, accompanied by a photo ID (e.g., PASS card or driving licence).
Suitability and household checks:
All adult household members will be subject to local authority checks
Sponsors are asked to submit a copy of their passport biodata page
Accommodation must meet basic standards and be available rent-free for 6 months
What if I’m sponsoring my own child under the scheme?
If you are a parent or legal guardian applying to sponsor only your own child (under 18):
You do not need settled status, but must hold a valid visa under a Ukraine Scheme
You must offer accommodation for the full duration of the child’s visa
You’ll need to provide official documents proving your relationship (birth, adoption, or guardianship)
If you do not meet the requirements:
Your guest cannot continue their visa application with you as a sponsor
You may be found ineligible even after a visa is granted, especially if local council checks raise concerns
In such cases, you will not receive the monthly “thank you” payment, and the guest will be matched with a new sponsor
🔗 Always refer to the official GOV.UK page for the latest updates:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eligibility-safeguarding-dbs-and-accommodation-checks-homes-for-ukraine
USPUK ia a recognised provider under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine Visa Scheme, USPUK continues to support safe and appropriate sponsorship matches for displaced Ukrainians.
You can make a difference
At USPUK, we support not only Ukrainian families on their journey to the UK but also the generous hosts who open their homes to them. From the moment they register on our website throughout their hosting experience, we are here to help.
If you’d like to help someone on their journey to a new beginning, consider becoming a host today. Visit our Become a Host page to learn more.