Homes for Ukraine Visa Applications Help

15/05/2022

I am back in Europe and available for transport or border crossing to UK around 21st - 23rd May.

Free transport (up to 3 people plus animal).

Anywhere from Zurich to Calais and into UK.

I have a campervan which will accommodate 3 people and an animal. I will be driving across France from Zurich starting on May 21st. I can collect anywhere near to this route, even Belgium.

I will come back to UK by ferry from Calais to Dover.

Happy to take anyone with papers (especially need to have animal papers). Willing to take people who know they have visas approved but don’t have their PTT.

10/05/2022

None of us are in this for the praise and thanks we might receive.

But when you get this video from a lady who’s application you personally processed in a refugee camp in Przemsyl, all the effort and stress seems entirely worthwhile.

29/04/2022

Top tip: if you are going to try entry through a ferry port without a permission to travel email, and you have assurance from your MP or local council that your visa has been approved …

… only take a ferry crossing during UK office hours.

Whilst attempting another “run” through the border last night, with a 19th March application with no permission to travel email and no assurance of visa, we were tuned back, as they couldn’t contact HO to sort the problem - no one in the office in UK at midnight.

Returned today and after 4 hours in the Border Force office in Calais (original application - they admitted - had been deleted by them) the whole process was completed, new application approved and passport stamped with a visa.

Phew.

27/04/2022

It’s looking very much like there is a need to reapply, if you haven’t received your permission to travel email and you originally applied in the first week that the system was up and running (18th - 25th March).

Some applications from those early dates are still coming through but it’s painfully slow.

New applications are being approved in 5 days now. There is nothing to lose.

If you’ve had confirmation (from your MP or your local council) that your visa is approved, and you have yet to receive your permission to travel email, just go to a ferry port (or Eurostar) Border Force office (when you get on the boat or train), give them your GWF number and they will find your visa and stamp your passport.

22/04/2022

More people are getting into UK without permission to travel emails.

If you have back up accommodation, and you are near a ferry port, it’s worth trying.

If you can get to Calais or nearby, I will come and collect you in my own vehicle.

19/04/2022

I got Alina into the country with NO permission to travel email on her phone.

This is only suitable for applicants who have been waiting a long time for their permission to travel email, are near to a channel port and have got to the point where they are willing to try anything.

This is not illegal but it requires some bravado and nerves of steel.[25th April: not even that now, as Border Force are not asking to see the email. They only need your GWF number]

The only people in the world who have direct access to the visa application computer system are Border Force.[Edit 23rd April: I now also know that MPs have, in some cases, been able to access this information, as well as local council officials who are monitoring incoming refugees and also VACs can tell you]

With your permission to travel email, presented at the border, they will check with the visa system to see if it is legitimate.

I "lost" our permission to travel letter on her phone and said so to Border Force. They took us into the office, 20 minutes later, gave us back a passport with the visa stamped in it.

Either, my applicant (made application on 19th March) had an approval in the system and the email was never sent out (or was "lost") or Border Force in conjunction with the visa office, made an on the spot decision to issue one. It makes no difference to me now, as we got on the boat and made it home.

19/04/2022

There is no guarantee about this one, but it's worth the £2.74 cost. 2 people I know got their permission to travel letters shortly after doing this.

Go to the government link here, and make a paid for inquiry about your application. Use the "Something else" button and give them your application and passport number, name and when you applied.

https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk

How to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help with your application or immigration account, from inside and outside the UK.

07/04/2022

Sponsors: have you uploaded a .pdf of your passport? And of anyone else over the age of 18 living in your property?

05/04/2022

How soon after getting one of these do you get an actual visa?

This application was made on the 20th March.

04/04/2022

Are they really saying that applications made on the 18th or 19th have been lost?

Although my sponsors have been directly contacted by their councils, to do the security and room checks. So their applications must be in the system? Right?

Daily Telegraph 3rd April, 2020

29/03/2022

29/03/2022

Conflicting reports from different places.

Does anyone know what’s happening?

27/03/2022

Has anyone noticed that their uploaded documents are no longer listed on the upload site.

Looks like some of ours have been taken off. Does the signify anything?

26/03/2022

Anyone heard of a visa coming through today (Saturday) or do we have to wait until they are back at work Monday.

I’m getting near to Calais with my refugee and I need to know what to do. Did anyone get a visa today Saturday?

25/03/2022

This is Anna and her daughters Sabryna (guess how old she is) and Marija.

After spending time in a railway station shelter, she was given a room in this refugee hotel in Poznan. It’s free and all food and supplies are privided.

Her sponsor in Glasgow completed their visa applications but had some concerns - there was an expired passport.

With Alina helping translate, we checked the uploads, spoke to the visa office in Slough about the passport, and video called the sponsor.

Their fears allayed and their hopes raised.

25/03/2022

We are in Berlin tonight. I can help with visa issues or transport problems.

24/03/2022

We are leaving Krakow to go home.

I can maybe take another person, I have room. If you have a visa, ring me.

We are still answering your visa enquiries.

24/03/2022

Through previous experience, we tend not to call government departments when we need help.

But do not hesitate to call the UK government visa helpline:

00441753907510

Most helpful and polite ever.

Wish is was that easy to get through to my doctor.