Support for Ukrainian nationals
What is the KRF doing to help?
Here in Kent and Medway our aim is to ensure no one is left behind. At present we are still awaiting confirmation from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) as to how Kent Resilience Forum partners can best offer support to those families and individuals fleeing from Ukraine.
We will keep residents up to date on what is being done to offer support and how communities can also offer support to Ukrainians who are either currently living in Kent and Medway or arriving into Kent and Medway.
Detailed Visa information can be found on the GOV.UK website UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals.
If you're Ukrainian and you have family in the UK
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK.
If you're outside the UK
Apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme.
If you're in the UK
Guidance on how to apply from inside the UK will be available soon.
In the meantime you can call the free 24/7 helpline on +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 from within the UK) for help with any questions about the scheme.
If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.
If you're Ukrainian and you don't have family in the UK
Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukrainians
The government has announced plans for a new sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to the UK. The scheme will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring those forced to flee Ukraine to the UK.
There will be no limit on this scheme and we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and have matched sponsors.
Those who come under this scheme will also be granted leave for an initial period of 12 months and able to work and access public services.
The government will work closely with international partners and neighbouring countries on the scheme to ensure that displaced Ukrainians are supported to apply.
It will also make sure that those who want to sponsor an individual or family can volunteer and be matched quickly with Ukrainians in need, working closely with the devolved administrations and local authorities across the country.
Further details on the scheme for people will be published soon, including information on how people and organisations in the UK can apply to be sponsors.
I am a Kent or Medway resident and wish to offer support during the Ukrainian crisis
Residents who wish to volunteer their home to host those fleeing the war in Ukraine can do so via the government's 'Homes for Ukraine' initiative. Further information on how the scheme operates and how residents can register are available on their website.
Additionally, if you wish to donate to help the Ukrainian people in their time of crisis you can do so through the British Red Cross Disaster Emergency Committee Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal British Red Cross.
School admissions information
For information about applying for a school place please see Kent County Council's schools webpage.
Free rail travel for refugees on arrival in Great Britain
As of Sunday 20 March 2022, rail operators will provide Ukrainian refugees with a single onward journey via national rail free of charge on arrival in Great Britain to their final destination.
They have 48 hours to make their onward journey. They 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 and it will be translated into Ukrainian and Russian in due course.
The scheme only applies to Great Britain at present. The Government are working at pace with the wider transport industry to see what else can be offered for evacuees arriving in the country.