Ukraine visa switch could see refugees left homeless in UK

10 comments

1. ***The Telegraph reports***:

   Thousands of Ukrainian refugees are at risk of losing their jobs and housing in the UK because of uncertainty over their visas, research has found.

   Four in 10 of the 250,000 Ukrainians granted refuge say they are struggling to hold on to jobs and housing because they have been unable to prove to employers and landlords that they can stay in the UK beyond March.

   About six million Ukrainians fled their country in the wake of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with approximately 220,000 granted sanctuary in the UK, either under the family or homes for Ukraine visa schemes.

   The Ukraine scheme visa lasts three years, resulting in thousands of Ukrainians now having to apply for their visas to be extended under a new scheme, with applications having opened on February 4, 2025.

   However, the gap between being able to apply and to receive a decision has caused widespread uncertainty and disruption as Ukrainians could not apply for the scheme prior to February 4.

   A survey of 1,133 Ukrainian refugees by researchers at the University of Birmingham found many were struggling to find and keep accommodation and jobs, putting them at risk of homelessness and unemployment.

   Approximately 94 per cent of respondents said they definitely planned to request extensions to their visas, while 74 per cent had visas that were set to expire before July 2025.

   # Lost opportunities

   The research showed that 39 per cent of all respondents had been affected by problems proving the right to live or work in the UK beyond the expiration of the original Ukraine Scheme visa – across renting, jobs, loans, mortgages, benefits, and NHS appointments.

   About 41 per cent said they lost a new job opportunity as a result of visa uncertainty, while 22 per cent said that a job contract was not renewed. A quarter (26 per cent) said that their tenancy was not renewed and 24 per cent said that they could not sign a new tenancy.

   Others had fallen victim to extortionate rent increases, with one Ukrainian telling researchers: “The agency used the imminent expiration of the visa, knowing that no one would sign a new lease for me, to raise the payment three times more than last year’s amount and demanded to pay everything in advance.”

   Ukrainian refugees also described the severe impact on their mental health, with 43.5 per cent suffering severe stress and anxiety caused by uncertainty about the future and the prolonged temporary status.

   “I have stopped sleeping at night, I get very depressed and also have panic attacks as soon as I start thinking that I might not be able to extend my stay here for 18 months, just because the migration rules are changing,” another Ukrainian said.

   **Full story:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/21/ukraine-visa-uncertainty-russia-war-scheme/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/21/ukraine-visa-uncertainty-russia-war-scheme/)

2. They enjoyed a preferable deal for 3 years. Time to join the queue like everybody else I’m afraid.

3. This is so dumb, we should be welcoming Ukrainian refugees with open arms, they’re actually fleeing a genuine conflict (they’re not economic migrants like the illegal migrants arriving from Calais) + we share a common culture with them so they are much more likely to integrate in the long run. So outrageous they’re being betrayed like this.

   Edit: for people asking why we should prioritise Ukrainians? Well, for a start they aren’t forming parallel societies and refusing to integrate. MI5 don’t actively have to monitor them for potential terror threats. European migrants tend to assimilate very well, because our cultural values and background is much more similar. Brexit was a disaster in this regard because FOM with the EU was such an easy win for us

   & responding to the person who said I’m only supporting Ukrainians “because they’re white”, nope, I believe we should take **more** migrants in from Hong Kong and East Asia, because they have a good track record of integration and are culturally compatible – it’s 100% about culture and values, literally nothing to do with what people look like.

4. Hotels?

5. There is currently an Ukraine extension scheme in which they can apply. If they apply before their leave expires, they can still continue to work and stay whilst that decision is being made. They will be aware of this. This is just sensational nonsense as usual

6. It’s about time the 34,000 Ukrainian men go back and fight for their Country, it’s ridiculous that the conscription conversation is taking place when there’s so many of them here.

7. This is unacceptable; Not only is it important to support Ukraine, but also legitimate migrants. We set out policies that focus on this. Find out more about our proposed Labour party reform plans here: https://gofile.io/d/hw9c7G

8. If they are fans of Zelensky, are male, participate in protests in UK, of conscription age.. send them back.

9. There is a Ukrainian resettlement extension scheme that opened up last month. These refugees have plenty of time to reaply for a visa. If they don’t do it before they expire, well, that’s on them.

   Everyone has to reapply for a visa when it expires. Ukrainians should be no different. This is just the standard process.

   This article is just sensationalist nonsense trying to generate rage.

10. This is trash journalism. There is an extension scheme for the Ukrainian visas, and they will all know about it.

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