To date, some 10 million Ukrainians have left the borders of their country. Of these, the overwhelming number (around a little over 6 million) remain within the European Union. The situation in Ukraine and the immigration movement is described as the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Today we will focus on what assistance is offered to Ukrainians within the United Kingdom (UK).
Refugees from Ukraine currently have the opportunity to apply for a visa in the UK through two parallel programmes:
- In the initial phase, the so-called 'Ukraine Family Scheme' was established. Applying for a visa depended on having family members in the UK.
- Another programme that has emerged, and significantly expands the group of people who can apply for a visa, is the so-called 'Homes for Ukraine' programme.
Who are they aimed at, how can they be used and under what conditions?
We respond below.
Read also: Current legal and factual situation of Ukrainian refugees in Germany
Helping Ukrainians in the UK - who is the Ukraine Family Scheme aimed at?
"The Ukraine Family Scheme is aimed at people who have family members in the UK. However, it is worth noting that Ukrainian nationals who have family members in the UK, but who only have temporary permission to stay in the UK (skilled worker or student visa), cannot be considered for refuge.
How to apply?
You can apply for the programme online via the website: GOV.UK.
Submission of such an application is completely free of charge. The visa in this case is granted for a period of 3 years. This does not require payment of the standard immigration health supplement and the fixed biometric enrolment fee.
The application must be completed in full for each member of the family, in this case also for each child. If you do not have a valid passport, once you have completed and submitted your application, you will then need to make an appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC).
What conditions must be met?
The prerequisite to benefit from the Ukraine Family Scheme is:
- applying to join or accompany a family member living in the UK; and
- citizenship of Ukraine or the status of an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen who applies for participation in the programme; and
- residing in Ukraine before 1 January 2022 (including persons who have now left Ukraine).
Ukrainians with biometric passports
Ukrainians with a biometric passport should fill in an application form on the website: Search - GOV.UK, and then attach a scan of the passport page with the photograph to the application.
In addition, the application should be accompanied by:
- documents proving that you have family in the UK and
- document confirming the fact of being a resident on the territory of Ukraine before 1 January 2022.
Once these steps have been completed, UK visa applicants will receive an email from the Visas & Immigration office with permission to enter the UK. After that, all that remains is to travel to the UK.
When you arrive, you will need to show the Border Guard your entry permit. This will give you a stamp stamped into your passport. It allows you to remain in the UK for a period of six months from the date of entry.
Having such a stamp in your passport is a kind of confirmation of your rights to, among other things:
- performance of work,
- studying,
- the use of benefits by Ukrainian nationals in the UK.
During these six months, there is a right to apply for a visa extension of up to three years.
Helping Ukrainians in the UK - what if a refugee does not have a biometric passport?
In this case, a solution is also provided. As mentioned above, and here too, a dedicated website should be accessed: Search - GOV.UK. The next step is to complete an online application and book an appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC), where biometric data is taken. A visit to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) can be arranged through this website: Find a visa application centre.
It is noteworthy that until we have received a decision in our case, we must remain in the place where the application was made. The Office (Visas & Immigration) will contact us to let us know what decision has been made along with travel directions.
If you have any questions about the programme, a number to call is indicated. The helpline is open 24/7 on +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 from the UK).
What if the applicant has no family in the UK? Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The second of the indicated programmes, the 'Homes for Ukraine scheme', is intended for such people. A website has been specially launched for this purpose, through which individuals, charities, churches or local authorities can apply if they have a spare room or flat and are willing to host refugees from Ukraine free of charge for a minimum of six months.
Hosts of so-called sponsors are not obliged to cover the food and subsistence costs of refugees originating from Ukraine. Persons of Ukrainian nationality will be granted the right to work and enjoy social benefits.
The way to encourage the reception of refugees into their homes is to be entitled to receive from the state budget under the thanks amounts £350 per month.
Ukrainian nationals will be granted a three-year visa allowing them to remain in the UK for the entire period. During this time they will be able to work, claim benefits and benefit from all public services like state benefits, NHS healthcare, employment and more.
How to apply?
As with the previously mentioned Ukraine Family Scheme, you can apply for the programme online via the website: Apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. You can fill in the application yourself or ask a sponsor to help you and fill in such an application on your behalf.
Ukrainians with passports will be able to obtain permission to come to the UK fully online from wherever they are. Confirmation of biometric data can be done within 6 months of arrival in the UK. If you have a valid passport, data verification can also be done through an app available on the website: Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa.
When completing the application, you will need to send a scan or copy of the page of your Ukrainian passport on which your photograph appears. You will also need your passport numbers to complete the application (in addition to completing the registration questions and other personal information). The application must be completed completely for each member of the family, in this case also for each child.
What if a Ukrainian citizen does not have a passport?
In case the Ukrainian citizen does not have a travel document as well as other persons, including children, travelling with her/him, who do not have a valid passport, the most important thing is to book an appointment and visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) after filling in the application form.
After your visit, you will need to be patient and wait for the centre to process your application and the biometric data collected. Above all, you will then have to wait until your visa is issued by the Authority (UK Visa & Immigration) to enter the UK.
Helping Ukrainians in the UK - where are the Visa Application Centre (VAC)?
- Budapest, Hungary, Budapest, Alfa Egészség központ, Lajos u. 48-66, 1036
- Chisinau, Moldova, 49/3 Tighina Street, 5th floor, "Office5" premises, Chișinău,
- Warsaw, Poland, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 16A, 02-092 Warsaw
- Bucharest, Romania, Strada Buzești 50, București, Romania
- Paris, France, 54ter Rue de Châteaudun, 75009 Paris, France
Documentary proof of the right to travel
Once you have submitted your application and confirmed your sponsor, the Office (UK Visa & Immigration) will issue a document confirming your right to travel. The document will allow you to travel by air or other form of transport to the UK.
Ukrainian citizens are entitled to continue their travel in the UK by national rail, light rail, bus and coach for free. Information on this, including timetables, is available from the National Information Centres.
Helping Ukrainians in the UK - welfare assistance in the UK for refugees
Once in the UK, refugees can ask their local authority (Council) for additional support if required. Sponsor and other organisations should also be able to offer assistance to refugees. Such assistance may include:
- job search,
- access to social benefits and services - such as registering with a GP and seeking school places for children (children between the ages of 4 and 16 can apply).
There is also a financial support mechanism for refugees. Each person arriving in the UK will receive a one-off form of assistance of £200. In order to receive such assistance, go to the local authority (Council) in the place where you will be staying.
At the same time, assistance is also provided for families with children. Families with one child will receive weekly financial support of £21.80. Families with more than one child can apply for financial assistance of £21.80 per week for the eldest child and £14.45 for each additional child.
It is also possible to apply for what is known as 'Universal Credit'. This is a benefit that is paid monthly if there is no employment. The amount of the benefit depends on the number of children you have or the housing conditions of the refugees.
What does it look like to take up employment in the UK?
If you find a job with a UK employer, you will need to confirm your eligibility for a job or profession. Recognition of your education takes place online.
For more information, please visit the dedicated page: Find a job - GOV.UKwhich allows you to search and apply for jobs.
Help for Ukrainians in the UK - medical care and national insurance number
To receive medical care, you must contact your NHS doctor (GP/GP). Use of the NHS is free, and this includes help from NHS hospitals. To receive medical treatment in the UK you may need to show a stamp in your passport documenting your legal stay in the UK.
If you have applied for social security benefits, the office should give you a national insurance number. If a number has not been issued, you can do so by completing an application via the website: Apply for a National Insurance number.
Ukrainian driving licence vs being able to drive in the UK?
A Ukrainian driving licence is valid in the UK for the first 12 months after arrival. After this time, the document must be exchanged for a UK one. A range of information can be found on the UK Government website at: Move to the UK if you're comming from Ukraine. It contains the most important useful information for refugees from Ukraine.
If you have any questions on the above topic, or need support in applying for legal residence in the UK please email sekretariat@bkrkancelaria.pl or call: +48 606 608 089.
