06-10-2022
There are various UK visa and immigration options for Ukrainian citizens. These include Homes for Ukraine, Family Scheme, and Humanitarian Support Pathway. After the invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom realized the urgency of the necessity to care for Ukrainian refugees. For this purpose, the UK offers various routes for refugees.
The Home Office has announced extensions in visas and assistance to them. Entering the UK from Ukraine is also easier as for the Ukrainians, there is a visa-free entry into the Schengen countries. So they can quickly join the neighboring states. After that, they can process their visa application to enter the United Kingdom.
One UK visa and immigration option for Ukrainian citizens is the Ukraine sponsorship scheme. It is also called Homes for Ukraine. It is for those who have no family ties in the UK. Such people can be sponsored by any UK resident, who will provide them with unoccupied living space or an extra room for living.
You are required to apply online for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme UK. This application will also serve as a biometric immigration document. A person who is sponsoring or the one who is getting sponsored can fill out the form for Homes for Ukraine.
Another option for a UK visa and immigration for Ukrainians is the Ukraine Family Scheme which is for a single entry. Under this scheme, those whose immediate or extended family members are United Kingdom citizens can join them and stay in the UK for three years.
Those Ukrainians eligible for it who have been in Ukraine before 1 January 2022. Also, you should have a valid passport for at least six months. There is no fee involved in applying for it. Its benefits include but are not limited to education, healthcare, and employment support.
The Humanitarian Support Pathway is an alternative route for those without immediate or extended family members in the UK. Ukrainians will be sponsored by charities, community groups, individuals, and businesses.
However, this pathway is yet to be launched by the Home Office. Those who migrate under this pathway can stay in the UK for 12 months. Also, they can work and avail public services.
Ukrainians residing in the UK on a temporary student visa in the UK, or on work or visit visas can apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme. They can extend their visas and stay for three years. Only those who had visas before 18 March 2022 or whose visas expired on 1 January 2022 or after this date can apply.
Those who can extend their work visa in the UK include skilled worker visas, seasonal workers, pork butchers, and HGV Drivers.
Ukrainians on a UK student visa can extend or switch their visa to a Graduate Visa. To be eligible to extend this visa, you must confirm acceptance for studies (CAS), have made academic progress, and show that you have been in the UK for less than 12 months.
Suppose you are on a Student Visa in the UK but want to switch to a graduate visa. In that case, you must show a bachelor's, postgraduate degree, or another eligible course. Also, show that you have completed a course from your college, institute, or university.
If you were on a visit visa and could not return to Ukraine due to the current situation, you could switch it to the family visa or points-based route.
You can switch to the family visa route if you have a family member in the UK. These include the following categories.
In points-based systems, you can switch under these categories.
There are only three UK visa and immigration options available for Ukrainian citizens. Others are indirect routes that allow you to stay in the UK. However, they are insufficient.
The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said that a scheme should offer temporary residences and permits to enable displaced academics and students to conduct research and study. Statistics have shown that around 32,800 applications for family schemes and 24,400 visas are issued.
At the same time, 150,000 people showed interest in sponsoring people. UK universities have joined forces with a cross-party group of MPs and peers to demand that temporary postings for students and professors be included in the visa program for Ukrainian refugees.
The British government must act swiftly to create and implement alternative routes. If new programs are not put into place immediately. In that case, managing the massive number of migrants will be challenging. Additionally, expedited visa processing is essential. Therefore, this issue requires the government's seriousness and efficiency.
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