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 All physical BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas.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 have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes, you may be able to switch to a different visa or to apply for a further 18 months permission to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. The UPE scheme opened to applications on 4 February 2025. You should apply for the UPE when there are 28 days or less before your current visa expires. It is crucial to apply for UPE before your current visa expires.

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 scheme visa.

We will be contacting all current guests and hosts advising them about the UPE scheme and their next steps, namely:

• A sponsor/ host should reapply for Thank you payments in order to confirm their eligibility
• 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)

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 staying with their sponsor/host
• 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.