UK extends visas for Ukrainians during European war

The British government on Sunday extended a visa scheme for war-affected Ukrainians seeking asylum in the country following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, allowing a further 18 months to stay under current conditions.

The Home Office said that from early 2025, all Britons on the Ukraine visa scheme will be able to apply to stay in the UK for a further 18 months and continue to have the same rights to work, benefits, healthcare and medical services. Education throughout your stay.

This means that those granted the first batch of visas under the Ukraine visa scheme can now stay in the UK until September 2026.

UK Legal Immigration and Borders Secretary Tom Pursgrove said: “This new visa extension scheme provides certainty and reassurance about the future of Ukrainians in the UK as this war continues and we will continue to fight for the future of Ukrainians fleeing Provides refuge to people in conflict.

Nearly two years after the brutal war began, more than 200,000 Ukrainians and their families have arrived in the UK. He said families across the country have shown extraordinary generosity by opening their homes and hearts to the Ukrainian people, including providing shelter to people fleeing the horrors of war.

He said the move showed the UK and its allies stood with Ukraine and unequivocally condemned [Russian President] Putin launched an unprovoked, premeditated and illegal war against Ukraine.

After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated in February 2022, the United Kingdom announced three plans: “Ukraine Home”, “Ukraine Family Plan” and “Ukraine Extension Plan” to provide visa holders with three years of leave to stay in the country. This means that the first batch of visas will expire in March 2025.

The Home Office said the 18-month extension delivered on the government’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine and came just two years before Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.

I would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary generosity shown by sponsors across the country. The government continues to provide them with thank you payments in recognition of their support.

As more families arrive we will need more sponsors to step up. Housing and Communities Secretary Felicity Buchan said: ‘I encourage anyone interested in hosting to check their eligibility and apply as soon as possible.

Since launching the Ukraine scheme, the UK says it has offered or extended asylum to more than 283,000 Ukrainians.

Eduard Fesko, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK, added: “We are grateful to our British friends for all the help and assistance they have generously provided to temporarily displaced Ukrainians.

Under the extension, Ukrainians will be able to apply within the last three months of their existing visa.

While the Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to reunite with family members or extend their stay in the UK, the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK, provided they have a nominated sponsor under the Ukraine Home scheme.

Meanwhile, the Ukraine extension scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to remain in the UK.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)