Uncertainty instead of protection: how Britain is leaving Ukrainian refugees without prospects

Ukrainian refugees in the UK are trapped. Their temporary visas are expiring, and the government is offering no path to permanent residency. Despite integrating into society and facing the dangers of returning home, thousands of Ukrainians are left with no guarantees for the future. Find out why London is dragging its feet on a decision

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More than 218,000 Ukrainians found temporary refuge in the UK after the start of the full-scale war in 2022. They arrived under special visa programs — Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Family Scheme — which provided short-term protection but did not offer a path to permanent residence.

Now, as these visas are coming to an end, thousands of Ukrainian families find themselves in a situation of legal limbo, with no clear plan for the future.

Returning is too dangerous

Lydia, 36, who fled with her baby and young child, told The Independent that she is afraid to return to Ukraine.

“Even if a ceasefire is declared, I won't believe it's over. In five years, the Russians could come back. My son will be taken away to fight, and my daughter could be killed or raped,” she said.

For Lydia, as for many others, the lack of a clear immigration policy in the UK means it is impossible to plan her life. A 2024 survey by the UK Office for National Statistics found that almost 70% of Ukrainians would like to stay in the country. But with visas expiring, the question arises: what next?

London offers no path to permanent status

For now, the British government has only extended temporary visas by 18 months. There's no program that would let people get permanent residency. The Home Office says this decision is in line with the Ukrainian government's plans to bring its citizens home. In December 2024, they even set up a Ministry of National Unity to help over 7 million people return.

However, experts believe that this return should be voluntary.

“Ukraine certainly needs people for reconstruction, but those who want to return should be allowed to do so. People must be given the right to choose,” emphasizes Stan Benesh, director of the charity Opora.

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Instability hinders integration

Many Ukrainians have already integrated into British society: their children attend school, learn English, and make friends.

However, due to the lack of clear rules about their future, they cannot settle down properly: rent a home, find long-term work, or achieve financial stability. Ukrainians are twice as likely to become homeless as the average British resident.

The feeling of uncertainty is forcing some to seek refugee status: in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Ukrainians filed about 380 applications — three times more than in the whole of 2024.

The EU has already extended protection until 2027 — London is still hesitating

Unlike the UK, the European Union has already decided to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2027. Human rights activists and charities are calling on London to take a similar step — to extend visa programs to at least 36 months and create a clear mechanism for obtaining permanent status.

Until this happens, tens of thousands of Ukrainians in the UK are living in limbo — between returning to danger and a country they have come to call home.

If you are planning to move, want to extend your visa or legalize your stay in the UK, Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you do it without mistakes and stress. Why should you turn to specialists?

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