Ukraine war: 300 Ukrainians get visas via new scheme, says UKon March 7, 2022 at 10:00 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

It is an increase on the 50 previously announced, and thousands more are being processed.

Refugees fleeing Ukraine arrive at Zahony train station in Hungary

Image source, Getty Images

The number of Ukrainian refugees granted visas under the UK’s new scheme has risen from about 50 on Sunday to 300, the Home Office has said.

It said 17,700 applications to re-join family members in Britain have been started, and it has increased staff and appointments.

But more than 500 refugees are stuck in Calais, with many saying they were turned away for lack of paperwork.

People in Calais have been told to go to Paris to apply for their visa.

And some Ukrainians told the BBC they faced a wait of more than a week just for an appointment in the French capital.

More than 1.7 million people have now fled the war in Ukraine – most of them to Poland.

Unlike the European Union – which is allowing Ukrainians three-year residency without a visa – the UK has retained controls on entry, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying it was “sensible” to “have some basic ability to check who is coming in and who isn’t”.

There are two main routes to a visa for refugees from the war, requiring them either to have family in the UK, or a designated UK sponsor for their application.

EPA
UK visas for Ukrainians

Via new Ukrainian Family Scheme, since 4 March

  • 300Visas isued

  • 17,700Applications started

  • 8,900Applications submitted

  • 4,300Appointments made

Source: UK Home Office

After criticism from France that the UK’s approach showed a “lack of humanity”, Home Secretary Priti Patel said she had “surged a Home Office team” to help at Calais – and denied anyone had been turned back at the border.

But the BBC found a Home Office presence at a local administrative building disappeared on Monday morning, while a sign at the hostel where many refugees were staying directed them to Brussels or Paris for visa applications.

The Home Office said in a statement there was no visa application centre in Calais and urged people not to travel there.

In its latest progress update on refugee visas, the Home Office repeated its claim that it was the first visa scheme to launch since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It said staff have been “surged” at appointment centres across Europe – including in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova and the Czech Republic – as well as in the UK in order to process applications as quickly as possible, while maintaining “essential security checks”.

Since the Ukraine Family Scheme launched on 4 March, 8,900 applications have been submitted, while 4,300 applicants have made appointments to submit their biometric details.

Of these, 640 applications have been confirmed, the Home Office says, and 300 visas have been issued so far.

The UK has previously expanded its visa scheme for refugees, widening the range of family connections allowing Ukrainians to apply and creating a second route for UK-based organisations to sponsor applications – with details to be set out this week.

It has also waived fees for Ukrainians.

But when questioned on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not confirm suggestions that the UK would open up a third option for people without ties to the UK, saying only that it would have “a very generous and open approach”.

line

War in Ukraine: More coverage

line

Amnesty International UK suggested “history is repeating itself” after the response to last year’s crisis in Afghanistan.

Refugee and migrant rights director Steve Valdez-Symonds said the Home Office was “once again too slow and too bureaucratic in response to a refugee crisis that almost everyone saw coming”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the government should be offering a “simple route to sanctuary” for people in danger, and said the Home Office is “in a complete mess”.

Around the BBC - Sounds
Around the BBC footer - Sounds
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Cardiff riots: Police refer themselves to watchdog after crash deathson May 23, 2023 at 9:31 pm

Two people died in the crash involving an electric bike, sparking a riot on Monday evening.This video can not be playedTo play this video...

Why So Many Are Choosing Netflix Over Blockbuster?

Why So Many Are Choosing Netflix Over Blockbuster?Netflix has become one of the most prominent and important social media websites today. With the...

England v South Africa: Stuart Broad makes ‘brilliant’ catch to dismiss Kagiso Rabadaon August 19, 2022 at 10:29 am

Stuart Broad takes a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Kagiso Rabada off the bowling of Matthew Potts on day three of the first Test...

India v Australia: Ravindra Jadeja takes 7-42 as hosts win second Teston February 19, 2023 at 9:53 am

India retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy as Australia slip to defeat inside three days in the second Test in Delhi.India retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy as...

PFL World Championship 2022: Brendan Loughnane wins $1m titleon November 26, 2022 at 6:29 am

Britain's Brendan Loughnane beats Bubba Jenkins for the featherweight title at the PFL World Championship in New York.Britain's Brendan Loughnane beats Bubba Jenkins for...