Sponsoring and Visa Advice – Newick PC
Note provided by clerk at Newick PC.
Many people have shown willing in the area and are going through the process, many others do not know were to start or how to proceed once they have signed up to the Government Help For Ukraine scheme
Below is a guide for people who want to help. I and several others have completed our Visas for people who will arrive in Lewes, Barcombe, Offham next week. We are waiting for the VISAS to be issued in the next 3-5 days
We have learnt a lot in the last week our aim is to make this part of the process easier – versus my plea for other host families on Facebook last weekend….which we found but its not the most efficient way to match people.
If you have any questions just ask many people are not on Facebook and we want to get the message out to a big an audience as possible asap.
Homes For Ukraine – the key steps to becoming a host
Register with the government website to be a sponsor.
This is the first step but it does not find you a match. You will get an email receipt confirming you have registered.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme
Find someone to sponsor.
You can sponsor a single person, couple, two people, or a family depending on the space you have available.
Register your accommodation on the Ukraine Takes Shelter site as this helps hosting of larger family/friends in one area. Other sites such as Opera are available.
Hosts register and put a description of their accommodation, the location, school locations and number of people you can host.
If your neighbours /street are also on this site you can add this to your copy so sponsors know multiple homes are available.
Once you are registered sponsors can contact you. Put as many ways to communicate as possible eg email, mobile and WhatsApp. Please respond asap as sponsors need reassurance.
You can FaceTime them, to see if you are a match and show them the accommodation. Or if they have little English WhatsApp and email works well so they can translate.
Help will be available once they are here to learn English, many are fluent as English is taught in all schools.
https://www.ukrainetakeshelter.com [1]
The Visa Application Process
Either side can submit the VISA
A list of all the questions is now available in both languages, you can email this to them so they can fill out all the answers in advance. Each person travelling must apply.
They can provide you with proof of residency and their passport in pdf format by using a phone app or you can convert an image for them You can either do the application for them and WhatsApp if unsure of any answers or screen share and do the application together.
There are two stages to the process. First you submit answers to the Visa questions then you are redirected to upload the relevant documents.
As host will also upload a PDF image of your passport or drivers license to this site.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme
Once Visa’s are approved sponsors can travel free of charge on certain airlines and trains to get to you. The Council will be in touch to follow up on DBS checks and the Wrap Around Care Service
Please join the Facebook Group for support and help is Lewes Helps Ukraine (Lewes and villages) https://www.facebook.com/groups/665576388025778/