Advice for Ukrainians

Sponsors were initially asked to host guests for a minimum of 6 months, but we know many hosting arrangements have continued for much longer. If your host is happy for you to continue to stay with them beyond the initial 6 months, this is likely to be the best option for you until you are ready to move on.

If your host has given you notice or is asking you to leave, contact us as soon as possible so we can work with you on your next steps.

Renting a room from your host

If things are going well, your host may consider renting a room to you under the Rent a Room scheme instead of receiving thank you payments. If your host is considering this, please let us know as soon as possible so we can help and advise. If you are paying rent for a room, your host cannot continue receiving thank you payments.

Finding another host

If you are not able to continue with your current host, but are also not ready to move into your own accommodation, you may want to find a new host. There are several ways that you can do this.

You may already know someone who could host you, for example, through:

• Your local faith group.
• Other community groups.
• Your work.
• Your current host.

Alternatively, there are many other organisations that may be able to help, including recognised providers.

If you have found a new host, contact us so we can complete our checks and make sure the move is safe to go ahead.

Living independently

If you're thinking about living independently, even if you’re planning to move outside of the Tandridge district, e-mail the Homes for Ukraine team as there's lots of help and advice we can offer.

You might be eligible for benefits such as Universal Credit which can help support you to live independently. We can help you work out what might be affordable for you.

Joining the Housing Register

To apply for housing from the council or a housing association, you must complete an online application form to join the Housing Register. 

Apply for council housing.

Council tax

Ukrainian guests living in private accommodation are responsible for paying council tax themselves. Homes for Ukraine visa holders are disregarded for council tax purposes, which means if all the residents hold Homes for Ukraine visas, then they will receive a 50% discount on their council tax bill and may also be able to claim council tax support.

To apply for the discount, e-mail the Council Tax team with evidence you have permission to enter or stay in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The 50% council tax reduction only applies to guests who have Homes for Ukraine visas. It does not apply to other schemes such as the Ukraine Family scheme or the Ukraine Visa Extension scheme.

Under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, only those who previously held Homes for Ukraine visas and remain in sponsorship continue to qualify for a council tax disregard. This means UPE visa holders who are not living in accommodation provided with a sponsor/host will no longer qualify for the 50% discount, regardless of whether they previously held a Homes for Ukraine visa. 

You may still be eligible for a discount, as the council tax system contains a range of discounts and disregards which may reduce your bill, for example if you’re the only adult living in the property you will be eligible for single person’s discount.

You can get an idea of whether you might be eligible for council tax support or other benefits by using a benefits calculator like the ones at entitledto and Turn2us.

Find out more about council tax support and submit an application.

Once your UK visa has been issued this means you are now able to enter the UK.

We are usually able to complete home and background checks very quickly, but sometimes there are delays getting checks back or we have queries that need to be resolved. For your safety, we do not recommend you travel to the UK and stay with your hosts until the accommodation and background checks have been completed.

If you have already arrived or you have your travel date please ask your hosts to e-mail us with your arrival date.

This guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK covers what you need to know in your first few days, getting used to life in the UK including how to find a home, access essential public services, healthcare, find work and childcare and education services.

The Oxted and Warlingham Ukraine Support Group has produced a welcome guide in English and Ukrainian for Ukrainian guests covering Oxted, Limpsfield, Hurst Green, Tandridge, Warlingham, Woldingham and Caterham.

• Oxted and surrounding areas welcome guide in English.

Adults and children coming to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme qualify for a £200 per person welcome payment. This is in the form of a payment card and you can collect it from reception in the Council Offices in Oxted.

The card will come with a PIN number and can be used in shops and online. The money cannot be withdrawn from the card and the card cannot be used overseas.

You will need to make an appointment to collect your welcome payment cards, as we may not be able to issue the welcome payment if we are not expecting you. You need to bring everyone’s passports and visas with you to the appointment.

The first thing to do when you arrive at your new home is to make sure you are comfortable in your accommodation and setup with the basics. Please ask your hosts for help.

The welcome guide has lots of information. You can get help from public services:

• Register with a local GP.
• Register with a NHS dentist.
• School admissions information.
• Frequently asked questions about education for children arriving from Ukraine.
• Free school meals. Children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically get free school meals. Children in Year 3 or above may be eligible for free school meals if the parent is receiving Universal Credit. Please contact your child's allocated school.
• Free home to school travel.
• Get advice and support to find childcare from the Family Information Service.
• Find adult social care.
• Find mental health and emotional wellbeing support, for children and for adults.

Benefits

As a Ukrainian arriving in the UK you can claim Universal Credit immediately. You may also be eligible for:

• Child benefit. Anyone coming to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine scheme is entitled to claim child benefit immediately.
• Housing benefit.
• Pension credit.
• Personal independence payment.
• Child disability living allowance.
• Carers allowance.
• Attendance allowance.

Employment

You can access jobs support immediately. The Department for Works and Pensions is putting together support through the Jobcentres to help people:

• Find work.
• Provide advice on benefit eligibility.
• Claim benefits.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

A BRP is a card with your immigration status on it. You can use it to prove your right to study and claim any benefits you're eligible for.

Your permission letter will tell you if you need to collect your BRP and where to get it when you arrive in the UK.

You need to get your BRP within 10 days of arriving or by the expiry date on your visa, whichever is later.

Fill in the online form to start the process of providing your biometric information.

Getting a National Insurance number

You might already have a National Insurance number if you applied for any benefits or have one on your BRP.

If you do not have one, you need to apply for a National Insurance number to work in the UK.

School admissions

If you have not applied for a school place for your child, you will need to apply for an in year school place. For further advice on school places e-mail Surrey County Council school admissions, or call 0300 200 1004.

Rail operators will provide Ukrainian guests with a single onward journey via national rail free of charge on arrival in Great Britain to their final destination.

You have 48 hours to make your onward journey. You only need to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing arrival into the country within the last 48 hours.

All the information is on National Rail Enquiries.

Temporary bus passes are available for one chosen bus company, for free, for Ukrainians who have arrived in Surrey on the Homes for Ukraine scheme if they travel with one of these bus operators:

• Compass Travel
• Falcon Coaches
• Metrobus
• Reptons Coaches
• Stagecoach
• White Bus

The bus pass scheme will continue until 31 March 2026.

Read more details about the Homes for Ukraine bus pass and apply for the scheme.

Driving in the UK using your Ukrainian driving licence

You can drive without exchanging your Ukrainian driving licence if you’re living here on one of the Ukraine visa schemes. The length of time you can continue to drive depends on when you successfully applied for entry clearance or permission to stay in the United Kingdom.

Find out more about driving in Great Britain using your Ukrainian driving licence.

If you want to continue to drive in Great Britain after the extension periods, you will need to exchange your Ukraine licence for a GB licence. You will need to do this before the end of the extension period.

Driving your Ukrainian plated vehicle in the UK

If you have been issued a visa under one of the Ukraine visa schemes, you do not need to tax or register your Ukrainian plated vehicle in the UK. The length of time this applies varies depending on the length of your initial visa and if you’re granted a visa extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension visa scheme. Find out more about the requirements you and your vehicle need to meet.

Guidance on bringing your pet to the UK from Ukraine can be found on the gov.uk website.

You must not travel to the UK with your pet before you have a licence and you have arranged with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) when to travel.

In an emergency you should call 999.

Adult social care - getting support for a vulnerable adult

Adult social care aims to help people stay independent, safe and well so they can live the lives they want to. This includes people who are frail, have disabilities or mental health issues and the people who care for them. We provide information and advice about care and support, offer short-term help and options for longer-term support if people have more complex needs.

People who have fled Ukraine may arrive with care and support needs and may therefore benefit from adult social care.

Find out about adult social care services in Surrey and who can access them via Surrey County Council' adult social care and support webpages.

If you need further information or advice, you can call 0300 200 1005, e-mail asc.infoandadvice@surreycc.gov.uk or use SMS (for the deaf or hard of hearing) on 07527 182 861.

You can refer to adult social care via Ukrainian.referralsASC@surreycc.gov.uk

Concerns for an adult

If you are concerned that an adult may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect, please report it.

Call 0300 470 9100 or e-mail ascmash@surreycc.gov.uk (available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

During evenings, weekends and bank holidays, the Emergency Duty Team is available.

Call 01483 517898 or e-mail edt.ssd@surreycc.gov.uk.

Wellbeing

If you are struggling to settle there are lots of places where you can be supported, such as talking to your local GP, visiting the NHS Mind Matters website, or calling the Community Helpline on 0300 200 1008 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays).

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK and replaces physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRP).

If you do not have a UKVI account and e-visa, you should create it as soon as possible. More information how to do it is available on the gov.uk website.

World Jewish Relief are holding free online webinars, where they will provide information on how to:

• Access your UKVI account.
• Use your e-Visa for travel.
• Check for mistakes.
• Fix any errors.

There will also be opportunity to ask questions and get further support if needed. 

Find out more about eVisa webinars.

You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK, using the view and prove service. 

It is important to keep your expired BRP cards to support your future applications to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and for travel. If you are planning to travel abroad, you need to make sure that your passport is linked to your eVisa. As a backup you might also want to get a share code, which lasts for 90 days.

How to check your eVisa is correct before you travel.

If you notice an error with your eVisa, such as with your name, photograph or an incorrect status, you can use an online service to report it and request the error be corrected. People without ID who have an account created by the Home Office can also use this service to update their e-mail address and mobile number.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme opened on 4 February 2025.

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 UPE to continue living in the UK for up to a further 18 months. 

It is free to apply.

• You should only make an application to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme when your current permission has 28 days or less remaining until it expires.
• You must be in the UK when making an application and have been living in the UK since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes.

You must make an application before your current permission expires.  

It is important that you know the date when your current permission will end so that you apply to UPE in time. If you are unsure when your current permission ends sign into your UKVI account to find out.

Further details are available on the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme webpage.