The UPE scheme has two phases, which must be applied for separately.
Phase one
Guests can apply for phase one of the UPE scheme 90 days before their Homes for Ukraine visa expires. If successful, their visa will be extended for a further 18 months.
The UK government and Essex County Council are offering thank you payments for sponsors hosting guests under phase one of the UPE scheme. You will need to apply to receive these payments, even if you are already receiving payments under the Homes for Ukraine (HfU) Scheme. Payments stop after the guest’s first 18 month UPE visa expires, when they move onto the second phase of UPE.
Find out how to apply for UPE phase one thank you payments.
Phase two
Guests can apply for phase two of the UPE scheme 90 days before their phase one visa expires. If successful, their visa will be extended for a further 24 months.
Thank you payments are not available to sponsors hosting guests under phase two of the UPE scheme. This decision has been made by central government, not by Essex County Council.
Sponsors who need financial support to continue hosting during the second phase of UPE can apply for continuity payments. These payments are provided by Essex County Council to help maintain existing hosting arrangements and to reduce the risk of guests becoming homeless.
Find out how to apply for UPE phase two continuity payments.
Apply for the UPE scheme
Visit gov.uk to find out more about UPE and apply.
UK Visas and Immigration is advising that UPE visa outcome decisions should take around 8 weeks.
DBS and home checks
Home visit outcomes will transfer over from the Homes for Ukraine scheme so no new visits will take place.
If your household DBS checks are over 3 years old you will be asked to complete these again.
For more information please see the DBS and home checks section of this guide.