Can Ukrainian refugees come to UK? What are the new visa rules for Ukraine’s people fleeing Russian invasion

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resisted calls from Kyiv and within his own party to drop visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.

Mr Johnson has insisted that the security checks in place are vital to prevent Vladimir Putin sending agents to the UK.

His comments come after it was announced last week that immediate family members fleeing the war zone will be able to join Ukrainians settled in the UK.

A thousand visas have been granted under the scheme and the PM promised another programme allowing individuals to offer a home to Ukrainians would be set out in “the next few days”.

The government has come under increasing pressure to do more to take in refugees escaping the conflict in Ukraine as Vladimir Putin’s forces continue to bombard towns and cities.

The European Union has allowed visa-free travel, but Mr Johnson is adamant that the UK was right to require the paperwork to be completed.

He said: “We’ve already got 1,000 people in under the existing scheme, that number will climb very sharply. No-one has been turned away.

“We know how unscrupulous Putin can be in his methods, it would not be right to expose this country to unnecessary security risk and we will not do it.

“We are going to be as generous as we can possibly be, but we must have checks.”

Downing Street said the measure will “benefit many thousands of people” who are currently making “desperate choices about their future”.

How do I apply for a family migration visa?

You can apply for a family migration visa for free if you are the family member of a British national who usually lives in Ukraine.

The British national family member must be one of the following:

• a spouse or civil partner
• an unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
• your parent if you are under the age of 18
• your child under the age of 18
• an adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition

You should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before making an application by calling +44 300 3032785 and selecting option one (0300 3032785 if you’re in the UK – select option one).

You will need to provide information about yourself and your family members, as well as contact details which will be shared with UKVI.

UKVI will then confirm whether you are eligible for a family migration visa and share details of the gratis (free) application process.

There may be cases where some people do not meet the eligibility criteria, such as the English language requirement or minimum income requirement. Given the current circumstances, if somebody does not meet these requirements, UKVI will consider an alternative grant of leave to come to the UK.

The UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Kyiv is now closed and all UK visa services in Kyiv are suspended in order to keep people safe.

Family members of British nationals who usually live in Ukraine and need a UK visa can apply through the new, temporary location in the Lemberg Business Centre in the city of Lviv.

It is also possible to apply through a VAC in a nearby country if you are able to safely travel. These are currently operating in Poland, Romania, Hungary and Moldova.

What happens after I apply?

After applying for a visa, you will need to attend an appointment at a VAC to provide your fingerprints.

Family members of British nationals who usually live in Ukraine can access walk-in appointments in Lviv or can apply outside Ukraine.

You can upload supporting documents for your application online before attending your VAC appointment or you can have your documents uploaded at your appointment, although there is a fee for doing this at the VAC.

How long does the process take?

UKVI aims to process family migration visa applications, or contact you about your application, within 24 hours from submitting your fingerprints at the VAC.

UKVI caseworkers will try to contact family members of British nationals who usually live in Ukraine to help facilitate travel.

What about those who aren’t immediate family members of British nationals?

Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine who are not immediate family members of British nationals normally living in Ukraine, are currently unable to make visa applications to visit, work, study or join family in the UK through a VAC in Ukraine.

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