Ukrainians who fled to UK will be allowed to stay for 18 months longer
Ukrainians who fled to the UK after Vladimir Putin’s invasion will be allowed to stay in Britain for another 18 months.
The Home Office said today it would extend programme granting three year emergency visas to around 200,000 refugees - the first of which were set to expire next March. Two thirds of refugees surveyed in September said the looming deadline had hampered their ability to find work. And 90% said they felt “unsettled” because of the time limit.
Now Ukrainians who came into the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Extension Scheme will be able to apply for an extension from early next year. That will mean the first visas handed out under the schemes will last until September 2026.
Immigration minister Tom Pursglove said: “Families across the country have opened their homes and their hearts to the people of Ukraine, showing extraordinary generosity, including offering shelter to those fleeing from the horrors of war. This new visa extension scheme provides certainty and reassurance for Ukrainians in the UK on their future as this war continues, and we will continue to provide a safe haven for those fleeing the conflict.”
Felicity Buchan, the Minister for Housing and Communities, said: “This is brilliant news for Ukrainians who have found refuge in the UK and are contributing so positively in our communities. I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary generosity shown by sponsors across the country. The Government continues to provide them with ‘thank-you’ payments in recognition of their support.
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“As more families arrive, we will need more sponsors to come forward. I encourage anyone interested in hosting to check their eligibility and apply as soon as they can.”
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