Visa Rules Leave Ukrainians Unable To Get Families To UK

Ukrainians who have fled the war are struggling to bring loved ones to live with them in the UK because government schemes gave them fewer rights than other refugees.

- Lizzie Dearden

A university lecturer’s mother and sister had to settle in Germany after he had to “give up” trying to bring them to Britain, while a working couple’s elderly parents ended up in Ireland after they were told they could not act as sponsors. These are among numerous Ukrainian families separated by stringent rules stemming from a decision by ministers to give those fleeing the conflict temporary three-year visas rather than full refugee status.

Emmeline Skinner Cassidy, who runs the Families Together coalition, told The Independent that “at first glance” Ukrainians appeared to have an advantage over people fleeing other countries, with bespoke routes set up under intense public pressure at the start of the war.

“But at the same time, people who’ve arrived under Homes for Ukraine or the Ukraine family scheme aren’t eligible to go on to sponsor anyone themselves, and they also can’t access regular refugee family reunion because they haven’t been granted refugee status,” she explained. “If they need to bring a family member to join them here in safety, they’re reliant on finding someone settled in the UK to sponsor their family member for them.”

Ms Skinner Cassidy voiced concern that more people would be affected as the war continues raging into its second year. The government has not told Ukrainians what will happen when their three-year visas run out, and those who want to settle in the UK are becoming anxious about their future.