The super sponsor route is closed for new applications.

If you have already applied your application will still be considered.

We will review the decision to pause the super sponsor route regularly.

If your visa application is sponsored by the Welsh Government, we will ensure you have accommodation from day one of your arrival in Wales.

If you decide to travel to Wales, please tell us. If possible, it is important you provide us with at least 10-14 days’ notice before you travel to Wales so that we can prepare for your arrival. We need time to ensure you have accommodation to move into.

Before you travel

We will talk to you about any requirements or needs you have, for example:

• how many people will need to live together?
• do you have any specific needs (e.g. a cot or special dietary requirements)?
• are there any healthcare needs that you want us to be aware of?
• do you smoke?
• do you have any allergies?
• do you plan to bring any pets?
• do you have any needs connected to your religious beliefs?
• are there school age children (3 – 16 years) or younger children with you?

We ask these questions to help us match you with a suitable host or alternative welcome accommodation. 

If we can, we will put you in contact with your host before you travel. This will help you get to know each other and ask any questions that you may have.

We have set up a helpline for anyone who is sponsored by the Welsh Government.  The helpline can help you understand how to get to Wales. Speaking with the helpline can also help us be prepared for your arrival.

You can call the helpline on 08081751508 from within the United Kingdom. From outside the United Kingdom, the number is +442045425671. Calls from outside the UK may be charged but the number is free from inside the UK.

This helpline is available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

If you do not plan to travel to Wales, please email support@sanctuary.gov.wales to let us know. 

We have set up a helpline for anyone who is sponsored by Welsh Government. The helpline will call you once your visa is approved by the UK Government. This will help us to get to know you and your needs. We can help you understand how to get to Wales. We can also be prepared for your arrival.

You can call the helpline on 08081751508 from within the United Kingdom. From outside the United Kingdom, the number is +4402045425671. Calls from outside the UK may be charged but the number is free from inside the UK.

This helpline is available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Everyone who we sponsor will have access to a free telephone interpretation service whenever you need it. You will be provided access to this after you have spoken to the helpline. This service is available for 8 weeks each (extend to 16 weeks maximum). Call the helpline if your access runs out after 8 weeks.

When living in ‘Initial Accommodation’ you will also likely have access to a free in-person interpreter at certain times.

You will need to pay for travel on bus and train services after the initial 48 hours.

You may be eligible for one of the free or discounted travel schemes also available if you are:

• 60 years or over
• a disabled passenger
• a child or young person

Please see Traveline Cymru or contact them on 0800 464 00 00 for information. Your local bus operator may also be able to help.

Children at primary or secondary school may be able to get free home to school transport.

Information is also available on transport costs if you are in further education.

When you arrive in Wales you will probably stay with a host who has offered to host you in their property.  Many hosts have agreed to host people from Ukraine in their homes for at least 6 months. 

If a long-term host is not available, you may go to stay with a short-term host for up to 75 days. During this time, the local authority will work with you to find suitable longer-term accommodation that is affordable for you.  

If there are no hosts available, you may go to stay in alternative welcome accommodation. Welcome accommodation is available for a maximum of 75 days. After you arrive, you will need to work with the local authority to find longer-term accommodation. Our priority is to help you settle and live independently as soon as possible. 

You are likely to have to pay rent and other charges for longer-term accommodation. Sponsorship does not mean all costs are covered by the Welsh Government. Homes for Ukraine visa holders can work or apply for benefits to cover costs such as these.

When you arrive in Wales, you will be accommodated where there is availability. This means you cannot choose where in Wales you are placed. The accommodation will meet your needs, such as family size, access to schools or wheelchair accessibility if needed. 

You will be expected to behave reasonably whilst staying in welcome accommodation. When staying in our accommodation, you will be required to follow a Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct will explain what we expect of you during your stay. This will include cooperating with the local authority staff to find longer-term accommodation.

You can also find your own accommodation should you prefer. You will have to pay for any accommodation you find yourself. 

If you can provide advance notice of your intended arrival, we may be able to support you with transport to the accommodation. Please contact support@sanctuary.gov.wales or call the helpline number if you need support. 

When you arrive in the UK, most public transport in England, Scotland and Wales is free for the first 48 hours. To use it, you will need to show your passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing your arrival into the UK. 

Upon arrival in Wales, we will provide you with:

• emergency toiletries and clothing on arrival if needed.
• £200 'Welcome Payment' for each guest
• Free telephone interpretation services
• help to register with a GP (a local doctor)
• help to register for a Biometric Registration Permit (BRP)
• support with applying for Universal Credit (social security payment) and employment advice
• support opening a bank account
• help to find education for adults including English language lessons (ESOL)
• help to find schools for children
• information about living in Wales

We will ask your host or local authority to provide this support to you.

When applying for Universal Credit, you can ask for an Advance Payment. This will provide funds after just a few days. This is paid back in small increments over a year. Without Advance Payment you can expect to receive Universal Credit after 5 weeks, if you are eligible. If you have large savings, you may be ineligible for Universal Credit. 

Our aim is to ensure fairness between different groups of people needing support. This includes Ukrainians in welcome accommodation, those living with hosts, and UK nationals.

Food – When staying with a host, you will need to cover the cost of food yourself. If a host is not available, we will aim to provide self-catering accommodation. This will enable you to cook for yourself. If self-catering accommodation is not possible, we will ask you to pay towards at least one meal per day. The ‘Welcome Payment’ can cover the cost of the meal until your Universal Credit is received. If your child is in school, they may be able to access Free School Meals. Your local authority will let you know what the arrangements are for your accommodation.

Laundry – You will need to take responsibility for doing your own laundry. If a host is not available, laundry facilities may be provided on site. You will need to buy your own laundry detergent and pay to use the machines. Where this is not possible you may be asked to pay the venue a fee to do your laundry. Your local authority will let you know what the arrangements are for your venue.

Pets – If you have a pet living with you, you will be expected to cover the cost for your pet. This includes food, vet bills and other costs of supporting a pet. If you refuse the offer of pet-friendly accommodation without good reason, you may be asked to contribute to the costs of homing your pets. You will need to find alternative living arrangements for your pet when our 75 day accommodation offer ends.  Please see “Moving on to longer-term accommodation” for information on finding longer-term accommodation. 

Interpretation – we provide free telephone interpretation via Language Line. This continues for at least 8 weeks. This can be extended to 16 weeks if there is continued need. Your Local Authority may be able to provide some in-person interpretation. Your local authority will let you know the details.

Essential items - You may be given essential items when you arrive. This may include toiletries, sanitary products or nappies. You will be expected to provide any extra items after this initial supply is used.

Integration - You will receive help to register for healthcare. Children will have access to education. Adults will be given English or Welsh tuition classes. We will start to prepare you for employment if you are able to work.

Moving on from short-term hosts or alternative welcome accommodation can be daunting. We want to support you to move on.

Local Authority staff will discuss your circumstances before offering you onward accommodation. You will need to cooperate with the local authority staff to find longer-term accommodation.  If you do not cooperate with the local authority, your offer of welcome accommodation may be withdrawn. You can also find your own accommodation if you wish.

We have given local authorities guidance to help them make decisions about accommodation offered to you. The local authority will consider your housing needs when making an offer.

The local authority will email you with an offer of accommodation. The email will describe the accommodation and the area where it is located. They will talk to you to help you understand more about the offer.

You may be offered a placement with a host family in their home. Your host will receive a ‘thank you’ payment from the UK Government and the Welsh Government. It will help hosts with extra costs they may have, such as higher energy bills.  The money is not meant to pay for your food or other support. You have the right to work and access Universal Credit to pay for your costs. See the 'Money' section of this website for more information. 

You may also be offered a different form of accommodation such as private rental. You are likely to have to pay rent and other charges for longer-term accommodation. Homes for Ukraine visa holders can work or apply for benefits to cover costs such as these. There is a limited number of private rental properties and host accommodation available across Wales. An offer of accommodation may not meet your preferences, but it will meet your housing need.  The longer-term accommodation may be in a different part of Wales.

You can also try to find your own home through renting privately. There are organisations that can help you with this. Using websites like Rightmove or Zoopla can help you to understand if you could afford to rent privately. Your local authority can also help you understand this.

Short-term host placements and welcome accommodation are only available for 75 days. You will need to accept a suitable offer of accommodation before the end of this period. You can refuse an offer of accommodation, but only be if there is good reason. Good reasons will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. And we have given local authorities guidance on what this might include. If your local authority decides there were not good reasons to refuse an offer, we may withdraw your offer of welcome accommodation.

If you are travelling with your pet to the UK it must meet the rules for entry. It should have:

• had a vaccination against rabies. Your pet will need a blood test 30 days later to make sure the vaccine worked. You will have to wait 3 months after the blood test to travel to the UK;
• been microchipped;
• a pet passport or health certificate;
• had tapeworm treatment.

If your pet does not meet these rules it will have to go into quarantine. You will not have to pay for this, but your pet may be in quarantine for up to four months. You can find out more here: Bringing your pet to the UK from Ukraine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If your pet meets all the rules please check before you travel that:

• your sponsor is happy to accept pets; and
• the place you will be staying is suitable for pets.

You may not be able to keep your pet with you while in welcome accommodation. We will discuss this with you before you travel.

We cannot pay any long-term costs to accommodate your pet.

The UK Government advises you not to leave the UK before receiving your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). The BRP and an International Passport are needed to travel back to the UK. UK Foreign Office advice is not to travel to Ukraine unless it is for emergency.

The Ukrainian embassy has information about travel and passports on its website. If you left the country without your passport, you will need to get a replacement for travel.

There are two options:

1. Temporary 'White Passport' - these will allow one way travel to Ukraine. It is valid for 30 days. It will not allow travel back to the UK.

2. Full international passport - issued by the Ukrainian embassy. In-person appointments are necessary. Appointments can be booked online, but the appointment slots are limited.

International travel is allowed under the Ukraine visa schemes. However, some benefits, such as Universal Credit, will be invalidated if there is an absence of 28 days or more. Please inform the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions if you intend to be away for longer than 28 days.

Travel while in Welcome Accommodation

During time in welcome accommodation, guests must work with the local authority to find long-term housing. Only essential travel should take place during this time.

If you wish to travel during this time, you will need to seek agreement from the local authority. Short absences are likely to be agreed if your travel plans do not impact on move on plans. Extended absences will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. If the absence is not agreed but you still decide to travel, your offer of accommodation may be withdrawn. Further detail can be found in the Code of Conduct.