Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: statistics - September 2022

Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme overview – sponsor routes

There are currently three main routes opened by Home Office and the Scottish Government to allow displaced people from Ukraine to enter into and settle in the UK. Under the current constitutional arrangements in the United Kingdom the application process for all immigration routes is fully reserved to the UK Government and is dealt with by the Home Office.

Ukraine Family Scheme launched on 4 March 2022, allowing Ukrainians that already have family in the UK to enter. It is free to apply, and displaced people from Ukraine are able to live, work and study in the UK as well as access public funds. Please note that Ukraine Family Scheme will not be covered by this report.

Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (sponsored by a named and known individual) was introduced on 18 March 2022. This allowed displaced people from Ukraine to obtain a visa to enter the UK if they had a named individual UK sponsor at the time of applying. Displaced people from Ukraine arriving in the UK under this scheme are granted 3 years to remain in the country, with entitlement to work, and access benefits and public services. Individual sponsors are asked to provide homes or a spare room rent-free for a minimum commitment of 6 months. As a ‘thank you’, individual sponsors receive an optional £350 per month for up to 12 months. Charities, faith groups and local community organisations are also helping to facilitate connections between individuals, for potential sponsors who do not have a named contact.

Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme was introduced on 18 March 2022 and operates within the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. It launched at the same time as the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, and displaced people from Ukraine arriving in the UK under this scheme are also granted 3 years to remain in the country, with entitlement to work, and access benefits and public services. The main difference is that the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme removes the need for the applicant to find a named sponsor for their application. Instead, they choose the Scottish Government to sponsor their application. When they arrive, people are accommodated safely in comfortable temporary accommodation, while the Scottish Government works with public sector partners, such as the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and Local Authorities directly, to match people into longer term accommodation. Those that host a Super Sponsor visa holder are also eligible for the optional ‘thank you’ £350 per month for up to 12 months. The Scottish Government announced a temporary operational pause on new applications to the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme on 11 July 2022 with effect from 13 July 2022.