Survey reveals Ukrainians' concerns about losing homes and employment in the UK
A program that granted asylum seekers from Ukraine the ability to live in the UK for three years has come to an end. As reported by The Telegraph on Friday, thousands of Ukrainian migrants are facing risks of job and housing loss in the UK...
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A program that granted asylum seekers from Ukraine the ability to live in the UK for three years has come to an end.
As reported by The Telegraph on Friday, thousands of Ukrainian migrants are facing risks of job and housing loss in the UK due to uncertainties surrounding visa renewals, according to a new survey conducted by the University of Birmingham.
Currently, around 270,000 Ukrainian nationals reside in the UK under special initiatives such as ‘Homes for Ukraine,’ which provided three-year visas to individuals fleeing the conflict with Russia. This particular program, however, is no longer accepting new applicants, and the existing visas are now starting to expire. Although a new initiative known as the ‘Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme’ permits 18-month visa renewals, applications only began to be accepted on February 4, leading to a backlog that has left many individuals in a precarious legal situation.
In a survey of over 1,100 Ukrainian migrants, 41% indicated they have lost job opportunities, while 22% reported being denied contract renewals due to their uncertain immigration status. Additionally, around 26% mentioned they were unable to renew their rental agreements, and a quarter reported difficulties in signing new leases.
The respondents also expressed heightened mental stress, with 43.5% citing anxiety and panic attacks linked to their immigration status. More than half of the Ukrainian refugees surveyed mentioned having school-aged children, further complicating concerns about long-term stability.
The study's researchers have called on the UK government to automatically extend visas for Ukrainians. Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that the findings reveal systemic issues affecting most migrants with temporary visas.
A government spokesperson commented on the report, stating that the UK remains “fully committed” to supporting Ukrainian migrants and is continuously reviewing its visa programs. However, he did not elaborate on whether the process would be streamlined or made automatic.
This situation arises as many other European countries are facing challenges in accommodating the influx of Ukrainian migrants. According to Eurostat, over 4.3 million Ukrainians are currently registered for temporary protection across the EU.
While Brussels insists that support should continue and has recently extended its visa scheme for Ukrainians until March 2026, numerous member states have shown reluctance to maintain the same level of support.
Germany, home to over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, has debated cutting welfare benefits, citing sustainability concerns. Poland has voiced opposition to accepting more migrants under the EU’s new migration pact, while the Czech Republic has announced plans to end preferential treatment for Ukrainian asylum seekers.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
As reported by The Telegraph on Friday, thousands of Ukrainian migrants are facing risks of job and housing loss in the UK due to uncertainties surrounding visa renewals, according to a new survey conducted by the University of Birmingham.
Currently, around 270,000 Ukrainian nationals reside in the UK under special initiatives such as ‘Homes for Ukraine,’ which provided three-year visas to individuals fleeing the conflict with Russia. This particular program, however, is no longer accepting new applicants, and the existing visas are now starting to expire. Although a new initiative known as the ‘Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme’ permits 18-month visa renewals, applications only began to be accepted on February 4, leading to a backlog that has left many individuals in a precarious legal situation.
In a survey of over 1,100 Ukrainian migrants, 41% indicated they have lost job opportunities, while 22% reported being denied contract renewals due to their uncertain immigration status. Additionally, around 26% mentioned they were unable to renew their rental agreements, and a quarter reported difficulties in signing new leases.
The respondents also expressed heightened mental stress, with 43.5% citing anxiety and panic attacks linked to their immigration status. More than half of the Ukrainian refugees surveyed mentioned having school-aged children, further complicating concerns about long-term stability.
The study's researchers have called on the UK government to automatically extend visas for Ukrainians. Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that the findings reveal systemic issues affecting most migrants with temporary visas.
A government spokesperson commented on the report, stating that the UK remains “fully committed” to supporting Ukrainian migrants and is continuously reviewing its visa programs. However, he did not elaborate on whether the process would be streamlined or made automatic.
This situation arises as many other European countries are facing challenges in accommodating the influx of Ukrainian migrants. According to Eurostat, over 4.3 million Ukrainians are currently registered for temporary protection across the EU.
While Brussels insists that support should continue and has recently extended its visa scheme for Ukrainians until March 2026, numerous member states have shown reluctance to maintain the same level of support.
Germany, home to over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, has debated cutting welfare benefits, citing sustainability concerns. Poland has voiced opposition to accepting more migrants under the EU’s new migration pact, while the Czech Republic has announced plans to end preferential treatment for Ukrainian asylum seekers.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
