A scheme that gave asylum seekers from Ukraine the right to live in Britain for three years has expired
Thousands of Ukrainian migrants are at risk of losing their jobs and housing in the UK amid uncertainties over visa renewals, The Telegraph reported on Friday, citing a new survey by the University of Birmingham.
Around 270,000 Ukrainian citizens currently live in the UK under special schemes such as ‘Homes for Ukraine’, which offered three-year visas to those fleeing the conflict with Russia. This scheme, however, has been closed to new applicants, and existing visas are now beginning to expire. While a new ‘Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme’ allows 18-month visa renewals, applications were not accepted until February 4, creating a backlog and leaving many in legal limbo.
According to a survey of over 1,100 Ukrainian migrants, 41% said they have lost job opportunities, and 22% have been denied contract renewals due to their uncertain immigration status. Around 26% said they could not renew their rental agreements, while a quarter were unable to sign new leases.
Respondents also reported increased mental stress, with 43.5% citing anxiety and panic attacks related to their immigration status. More than half of the Ukrainian refugees surveyed said they have school-aged children, which adds to concerns over long-term stability.
The researchers behind the study have urged the UK government to automatically extend visas for Ukrainians, but Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the findings reflect systemic issues, with most migrants with temporary visas facing similar problems.
Commenting on the report, a government spokesman said the UK remains “fully committed” to supporting Ukrainian migrants and continues to review its visa programs. He did not comment on whether the process would be streamlined or made automatic, however.
The news comes as many other countries in Europe face challenges dealing with the influx of Ukrainian migrants. According to Eurostat, more than 4.3 million Ukrainians are registered for temporary protection across the EU.
While Brussels insists that support must continue and has recently extended its visa scheme for Ukrainians until March 2026, many member states have signaled reluctance to continue the same level of support.
Germany, which hosts over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, has debated cutting welfare benefits, citing sustainability concerns. Poland has expressed opposition to taking in more migrants under the EU’s new migration pact, while the Czech Republic has announced plans to end preferential treatment for Ukrainian asylum seekers.
