Visa schemes in UK leave Ukraine’s war refugees in limbo
War refugees fear being forced back to Ukraine
- Some Ukrainian refugees in Britain fear being forced to return to Ukraine due to the lack of a permanent residency path, despite rebuilding their lives in the UK.
- Approximately 218,000 Ukrainians sought refuge in Britain under special visas since 2022. Nearly 70 per cent wish to remain, but the current visa schemes offer no option for permanent settlement.
- The British government's stance is that their temporary sanctuary aligns with Ukraine's desire for its citizens to return.
- The European Commission has proposed extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the EU until March 2027 and transitioning them to other legal statuses, prompting calls for the UK to follow suit.
- Uncertainty over long-term status is pushing some Ukrainians to seek asylum in the UK, with claims rising.