AMID accusations of “appalling misinformation” from the Tory government and its supporters, and calls for “clarity asap” from the other side, it can be hard to understand the UK’s current policy towards people in Ukraine fleeing the Russian invasion.
With the visa processing centre in Kyiv closed as Vladimir Putin’s troops close in on the city, Ukrainians have been told to go elsewhere to have any UK visas processed.
But what is the situation on the ground for Ukrainians looking to gain safe and legal access to the UK?
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Has the UK changed its rules for Ukrainians looking to get visas?
For the vast majority of people in the nation, no.
The UK’s policy, despite building pressure from opposition parties and campaigner groups, is still that people without any family ties to the UK must apply through the usual channels.
This policy led to embarrassment for Tory Safe Migration Minister Kevin Foster (below) over the weekend after he - correctly - said that Ukrainians fleeing the war could apply to pick fruits or vegetables in the UK.
This seasonal worker visa is one option open to people looking to leave the country, however it will be made more difficult by the fact that they will need a UK sponsor, they “usually” need “at least” £1270 in the bank, and the visa would only last for six months.
The standard visitor visa is open to Ukrainians as before. However, this will only last six months and costs £95. Furthermore, it is only open to people who can show they “will leave the UK at the end of your visit”, which may prove impossible for those fleeing war.
There is only one UK visa application centre (VAC) currently open in Ukraine, in Lviv. It is not open to people who are not immediate family members of British nationals.
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For an ordinary Ukrainian citizen, they must travel to “a VAC in one of the nearby countries” such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, or Moldova in order to apply for a UK visa.
Without a valid visa, Ukrainians will be barred from boarding flights, trains or ferries to the UK.
What about Ukrainians with British family?
If you are a British national with immediate family in Ukraine, then the British Government has offered some concessions.
People will still need to apply for a family migration visa, but this is free and restrictions such as the minimum income requirement and the language requirement may be dropped “given the current circumstances”.
That family member must be one of the following:
- a spouse or civil partner
- an unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- your parent if you are under the age of 18
- your child under the age of 18
- an adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition
However, people wanting to apply for the family migration visa will still need to make their way to Ukraine’s only open VAC, in Lviv, or to another centre abroad, in order to “submit biometrics”.
What about Ukrainians already in the UK with a legal visa?
Concessions have been made for people from Ukraine who are currently in the UK on a legal visa, but not for their families who may wish to join them here.
These concessions exist for people on standard visitor visas - who can now “switch into a points-based route or a family visa route” - or seasonal worker visas - who can apply for an extension until December 31, 2022.
People on student visas can apply to extend their stay or switch to a graduate visa, while those on skilled worker visas can also apply to extend their stay or for settlement.
What are other nations doing?
Ireland announced on Friday that it would be dropping all visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals. However, those fleeing war will have “90 days after arrival to regularise their position” in Ireland.
Ukrainians have not needed a visa to enter countries in Europe’s Schengen free-movement zone since 2017. They would ordinarily only be allowed to travel abroad for 90 days in a 180-day period, but the 27 EU states have waived visa requirements for three years.
The Polish government has lifted all Covid-linked restrictions on its borders for those who can show they are Ukrainian. Those without a visa are being allowed to apply for asylum at the border.
However, only women, children, and men over the age of 60 will be able to use these routes, as Ukraine announced the conscription of all healthy men between 18 and 60.
Anyone with further questions about the visa situation for Ukrainians should call UK Visas and Immigration on +44 300 3032785
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