British government closed one of its programs for Ukrainian refugees
British government closed one of its programs for Ukrainian refugees (photo: freepik.com)
On February 19, the government of the UK discontinued the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allowed Ukrainian refugees to legally stay in the UK, according to the British government.
Under this program, Ukrainian refugees could enter the Kingdom provided they stayed with relatives there. This visa allowed Ukrainians to study, work, and receive support for the next three years.
After the Ukraine Family Scheme ended, its participants were offered to apply for the Homes for Ukraine program, under which Britons host Ukrainians in exchange for state support. The visa under this program will expire in March 2025. By that time, an alternative legal stay option in the UK should be found.
Since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, over 283,000 Ukrainians have received or extended permission to stay in the UK.
The visas issued under programs such as Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, and Ukraine Extension Scheme, which provided a three-year stay permit, will expire in March 2025.
Ukrainian refugees in the UK
Recently, the British government announced an 18-month extension of visas for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Local authorities are calling for increased funding for refugees due to a housing crisis.
Ukrainian refugees in Britain will be able to extend their temporary protection status. Since the launch of programs for Ukrainians, the country has provided shelter to more than 283,000 people, many of whom have been placed with British families.
Ukrainians who have been granted asylum in Britain after the full-scale Russian invasion will be able to extend their legal stay until September 2026.
