To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to permit anyone with a Ukrainian passport to take refuge in the UK.
Answered on
5 April 2022
As set out in the Home Secretary’s statement to the House on 1 March, a fee free, bespoke Ukraine Family Scheme has been introduced. The route allows both the immediate family members (spouse, civil partner, durable partner, minor children) and extended family members (parent, grandparent, adult children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in laws and their immediate family) to join their relatives in the UK. The UK-based sponsoring relative must be a British citizen, a person who is present and settled in the UK (including those with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme), a person in the UK with refugee leave or with humanitarian protection or an EEA or Swiss national in the UK with limited leave under Appendix EU (pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme). This route was launched on 4 March.
The ‘Homes for Ukraine’ Scheme launched by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 18 March, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK. There will be no limit on the number of arrivals, and those who come to the UK on the scheme will have permission to live and work here for up to three years. They will also have access to healthcare, benefits, employment support and education.
The Home Office is continually making efforts to simplify the application process for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion and keeps this under regular review.
From 15 March, those qualifying under the Homes for Ukraine or Ukraine Family Scheme with a valid Ukrainian passport can apply online for a visa without having to attend a visa application centre.