Coming to Scotland from Ukraine?

The UK Government has opened three visa schemes for people fleeing Ukraine:

Ukraine Family Scheme

This for people with family ties in the United Kingdom. See details and how to apply here.

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Scottish Government has paused its Ukraine super sponsor scheme.

This for people with no family ties in the UK. You will need an approved sponsor.

The Scottish Government is a ‘super sponsor’ for people arriving via the Homes for Ukraine scheme. This means that you do not have to arrange an individual sponsor before coming to Scotland.

To apply via the Homes for Ukraine go to the UK visa application site Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship scheme (Homes for Ukraine) and select SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT as the sponsor.

Your approved sponsor can also be a private host who agrees to offer you accommodation. If you go for this option, rather than the 'super sponsor' scheme, you will have to find a host before applying for a visa.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

This for Ukrainians who are already in the UK on a temporary visa. Find out more here.

If you are in the UK and want to change or switch your visa, check UK government information on Ukrainian nationals in the UK: visa support.

If you want to come to the UK check which other visas are available.

See the Scottish Government website for information on getting to Scotland in English, Ukrainian, Russian and Polish.

ЯК ДОЇХАТИ ДО ШОТЛАНДІЇ

КАК ПРИЕХАТЬ В ШОТЛАНДИЮ

Jak dostać się do Szkocji

The UK government has also provided information on what to do before travelling to the UK and what to do when you arrive, which you can find here.

If you want to claim asylum in Scotland as a Ukrainian (or another nationality affected by the conflict, such as Russian or Belarusian) get legal advice from a qualified legal representative. They will advise you on all your options.

Click here to find a lawyer through the Law Society of Scotland.

You can phone the Migrant Help helpline on 0808 8010 503 for information about Home Office asylum support and assistance with making asylum applications. Ask for an interpreter if you need one.

When you arrive in Scotland, look out for volunteers who are waiting to meet you and take you to the nearest Welcome Hub.

Welcome Hubs can be found in Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Renfrewshire at key points of entry, like airports, ports and major train stations.

At the Welcome Hub, you will be given information, advice and contact details for essential services. Welcome Hubs are run by local authorities in partnership with COSLA, the Scottish Government and the charity sector.

If you are arriving on the Scotland Super Sponsor Scheme, you will be able to stay in short-term accommodation (usually hotel rooms) provided by the Scottish Government before you are matched to longer term accommodation with a host.