Supporting Ukraine

Immigration information

E-Visa

From 2025, the United Kingdom (UK) launched a digital border control and immigration system. All physical BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas. An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status. However, it is worth keeping your BRP if you have one for future visa applications.

Online immigration status (eVisa) (opens new window)

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme

If you're a Ukrainian national, or the family member of a Ukrainian national, and are living in the UK with existing permission on one of the Ukraine schemes, you may be eligible to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme to continue living in the UK for 18 months.

If your initial period of UPE permission is coming to an end, you may be eligible to apply for a further 24-month extension under the scheme.

You can now apply under the UPE scheme within 90 days of your current permission expiring, using the 'Apply (opens new window)' section, whether this is your first or second UPE application.

Applying at any point within the 90-day window will not reduce the total permission granted. Any remaining valid permission will be added to your new grant.

Eligible sponsors/hosts of those previously on Homes for Ukraine visas will be able to claim Thank you payments for the 18 months that guests are covered by a UPE(Ukraine Permission Extension)   visa, and the Thank-You payments WILL NOT continue when the current 18-month UPE visa expires.

We will be contacting all guests whose current Homes for Ukraine permission is about to expire and their hosts advising them about the UPE scheme and their next steps, namely:

• a sponsor/ host should reapply for Thank you payments to continue provided that the eligibility criteria are met
• all guests living with a sponsor/ host should confirm their UPE status when they are granted permission
• a sponsor/ host and their household members should pass new DBS checks at a 3 years point (only if there are children in a Ukrainian group of guests)

Four to six months before the Thank you payments are due to stop for a particular sponsor/ host, our team will be having ongoing discussions with both host and guests and are on hand to offer advice regarding all available housing options.

Support from us

We currently offer the following support:

Help with council tax

The government changed the council tax rules for Ukrainian nationals living in the UK to:

• if a Ukrainian national with a Homes for Ukraine visa (guest) only moves in with someone or to a property occupied they do not have to pay council tax. This will not affect the sponsor's own council tax arrangements, including when the guest moves to UPE scheme while the sponsor/host is still eligible for the Thank You Payments
• if a Ukrainian national moves into an empty property, they will need to pay council tax. They will be entitled to a 50% discount if they hold a Homes for Ukraine visa - Ukrainian refugee discount - Guildford Borough Council. If any Ukrainian nationals are on low income, they can claim help with the remaining balance by applying for local council tax support

Benefits and financial support

• if you're on housing benefit and struggling financially, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
• tell us about any changes that may affect your housing benefit or council tax support
• if you live in the centre of Guildford you can apply to Guildford Poyle Charities for help with travel and training costs
• Find out what other help and support we offer by visiting our cost of living support pages

Advice and signposting

We aim to visit our Homes for Ukraine hosts and guests at least once in order to make sure they have essential local information and signpost them to local support groups and services. Our team includes a Ukrainian speaker.

If your host-guest relationship is not working out or you have any concerns, contact us at ukraine@guildford.gov.uk.to get advice on your next steps.