SCOTLAND'S "super-sponsor" scheme for Ukrainians is now open, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The First Minister said she hoped it would mean a "quick and easy route" for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion.

The scheme means that people from Ukraine will not need an individual sponsor before coming to Scotland.

Last week, the Scottish and Welsh first ministers said they were willing to become "super-sponsors", saying they wanted to "maximise" their contribution to the people of Ukraine.

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Announcing the opening of the scheme, Sturgeon tweeted: "The @scotgov ‘super-sponsor’ scheme for is now open.

"If you are seeking refuge from the war, wants to welcome you - by selecting “Scottish Government” on the UK visa application site at https://gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme… we hope to offer you a quick & easy route here.

"The screenshot below shows the page on which you should select ‘The Scottish Government’. Choosing this option means that you do not have to arrange an individual sponsor before coming to Scotland. We will help you do that once you are here."

Sturgeon previously said she wanted Scotland to play its “full part in welcoming Ukrainians seeking sanctuary from war” and criticised the UK response as one “beset with bureaucracy and red tape”.

The UK has been heavily criticised for its response to Ukrainian refugees, with anger from opposition parties after it chose not to follow the rest of Europe and offer visa-free access for refugees.

Speaking about the sponsorship scheme on Wednesday, Sturgeon said the first Ukrainian refugees could begin arriving as early as this weekend.

The FM also announced £15 million of Government funding is being made available to help Ukrainian refugees coming to Scotland.

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She said there will be “challenges” involved in “resettling thousands of displaced and traumatised people in such a short space of time”.

But she said she is “confident” Scotland will “provide not just refuge but a warm welcome and a helping hand to people whose lives have been ripped apart”.

Sturgeon said: “We will open our doors and we will also open our hearts.”

The super sponsor scheme would allow 3000 refugees to come to Scotland immediately, and the Scottish Government also gave the commitment to support at least 10% of the total number of refugees taken into the UK.