Unlike the European Union, Britain has not opened its borders to Ukrainian war refugees, which has drawn much criticism from the government.

With her "Homes for Ukraine" program, she now wants to pave the way for a new escape route — in addition to making family reunification easier — to the United Kingdom.

But after the details that the newly responsible Minister Michael Gove announced on Monday, the most important question remains open.

How quickly can the bureaucratic program help refugees in need?

Jochen Buchsteiner

Political correspondent in London.

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Later this week, UK residents will be able to register online for the first time;

at a later date companies, churches and charities.

According to surveys, twenty percent of Brits are considering making one or more rooms available, and nine percent are determined.

Gove, who appeared in the House of Commons wearing a tie in Ukraine's national colors, made it clear that there was no upper limit.

Recently, however, he expected “tens of thousands” of Ukrainians to enter via the program.

He spoke of a "national effort".


In order to be able to register, applicants have to give the names of the refugees, which has been widely criticized.

It is not clear how they are to find out about this.

12,500 euros per refugee

Those who do not yet know any refugees should get in touch with charities, churches and local groups, according to the preliminary website, which went live on Monday.

The prerequisite is that the refugees were registered in Ukraine when the war began.

Before the "sponsorship" is approved, the hosts are said to undergo routine security checks — most of the refugees are children and women.

Ukrainians are also to be screened, although this can also be done after arrival to speed up the process;

Biometric fingerprints and passport photos are common.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, who was deprived of planning the programme, recently warned that the escape routes could be exploited by people intent on harming the kingdom.

After approval of the sponsorship, the Ukrainians should then receive a “Permit to Travel” document as a PDF file.

The travel permit is valid as a visa for an initial period of three years.

The refugees receive a work permit and access to the health and social system.

The government will transfer EUR 12,500 per refugee to the receiving municipality.

The sponsors, who have to make the room available for at least six months, receive almost 420 euros per month.

The money is intended to cover the additional costs for heating and food, but also to provide an incentive.

The amount is linked to the address, not to the number of refugees, and is initially paid out for twelve months.

From the Labor Party perspective, the program lacks 'urgency'.

It falls short of the generosity of the EU, it said.

The British "Refugee Council" spoke of a "managed migration path that is unsuitable as a response to a humanitarian crisis".

The new "Homes for Ukraine" program complements the recently relaxed family reunification scheme, which according to the government has made around two million Ukrainians eligible for visas.

However, the application process, which requires appearing in person at one of the overcrowded UK visa centers in Europe, is tedious.

Since the beginning of the war, only 4,000 Ukrainians have successfully completed it.