The Situation of Ukrainian Refugees in the United Kingdom: Potential Loss of Housing and Employment

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the United Kingdom are at risk of losing their housing and jobs due to uncertainty surrounding visa extensions. Despite expert recommendations for automatic status extensions, the British government has yet to make a decision on this matter.

This is reported by AgroReview

The issue of visa extensions for Ukrainian refugees in the UK is becoming increasingly pressing, creating serious difficulties for thousands of people who have found shelter in this country. After the three-year validity period of visas under the Ukraine Scheme expires, many Ukrainians find themselves in a state of uncertainty, complicating housing rentals, entering into new contracts, and affecting rental payment levels.

Challenges for Ukrainians in the UK

According to information published in The Telegraph, after the expiration of their visas, Ukrainian refugees have faced numerous challenges. Since February 2023, a new visa extension scheme has been in place in the UK, allowing for an extension of status for an additional 18 months. However, to take advantage of this, an application must be submitted, the processing of which can take up to eight weeks. This leads to legal uncertainty, resulting in:

• 26% of Ukrainian refugees facing refusal to renew their leases;
• 24% unable to secure new housing contracts;
• some landlords taking advantage of the situation to significantly increase rental prices or demanding upfront payments.

According to a study conducted by the University of Birmingham, 41% of Ukrainians in the UK have been unable to find work or receive promotions due to their uncertain immigration status. 22% lost their jobs specifically due to the expiration of their visas.

Expert Recommendations

Additional difficulties have arisen from the British government’s decision to suspend the acceptance of applications for visa extensions under the Homes for Ukraine scheme until February 4, 2025. This has led to even greater tension among Ukrainian refugees. According to a survey conducted by The Telegraph, 94% of refugees expressed a desire to remain in the UK, but due to bureaucratic delays, they are unable to secure a stable future.

Experts are currently advocating for automatic visa extensions, which could help avoid mass layoffs and evictions. However, the British government has not yet made a final decision on this issue. It is known that from February 4, 2025, holders of such visas will be able to apply for extensions to the Home Office, but due to processing delays, they may be left without means of support for several months.