Ukrainians who have found refuge in the UK are struggling with job and housing prospects, as uncertainties about how long they are allowed to stay will persist.

 

Ukrainians, who were initially permitted to live and work in the UK for three years, have the option to apply for an 18-month visa extension 28 days before their current visa expires. This policy, according to the government, is meant to provide “certainty and security.”

 

Іome Ukrainians have reported difficulties with employment and housing, as employers hesitate to hire them and landlords are reluctant to rent to them due to impending visa expirations.

 

According to a survey of 1,133 Ukrainians residing in Britain, 41% reported job loss due to visa issues, while 26% experienced non-renewal of their housing contracts.

 

Researchers from the University of Birmingham noted that 22% of respondents were fired, whereas 24% had difficulty finding new housing.

 

These challenges intensified following the launch of the “Homes for Ukraine” initiative on March 14, 2022, allowing UK residents to host those fleeing conflict. At its peak in May of that year, the UK welcomed over 10,000 Ukrainians weekly, summing up to 300,000 granted sanctuary so far, as per Home Office records.

 

Ukrainians initially received a three-year stay permit, with many visas nearing expiration. The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, launched on February 18, offers options to extend their stay.

 

While the government asserts that Ukrainians maintain their right to live and work during the extension decision process—which can take up to eight weeks—charities report that those awaiting extension confirmations continue to experience difficulties in finding jobs and rental properties.

 

Mila, living in Atherstone, Warwickshire, with her 14-year-old daughter, is among those waiting for visa approval. Faced with a mandate to vacate her apartment by April 25 due to a pending sale, her attempts to move closer to her workplace have been thwarted by her expiring visa on April 12.

 

Mila revealed her worries about possibly homelessness, saying, “I can’t sleep at night.”

 

Another person, Tatiana (a pseudonym), saw job rejections despite being highly qualified because her visa expires in July. One interested employer even told her to apply for an extension right away, but rules limit such applications to 28 days before the current visa expires.

 

Tatiana, a mother of two boys, ages 11 and 16, suffers from anxiety so severe that she takes medication. Though she recently got a new job, uncertainty still surrounds her future.

 

“It’s so frustrating to be trapped in this cycle,” she said, explaining that her employer would rather offer her a permanent job if it was possible under the visa requirements.

 

Olena, who arrived in the UK in April 2022 with her now 15-year-old daughter, is another case. While she applied for a visa extension well in advance, the approval process is still pending.

 

Working as a hotel housekeeper, Olena’s employer initially informed her she couldn’t continue working post-visa expiration. She also faced threats of suspended benefits due to an expiring visa, despite government assurances that benefits would continue during the decision process.

 

With assistance from the charity Settled, Olena was able to convince her employer of her right to continue working and ensure her benefits remained intact.

 

Some Ukrainians have been told they’d be required to pay international student fees due to impending visa expirations, contrary to official guidance, which classifies them as “home” students eligible for domestic fees and financial aid.

 

Settled has reported an increase in technical issues preventing Ukrainians from proving their visa status or processing extension applications, suggesting that automatic extensions could alleviate these problems.

 

Simone Schehtman, head of the Birmingham for Ukraine support group, worries that the processing system will be flooded with about 100,000 extension applications, describing the situation as a “complete disaster.”

 

A government spokesperson reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine during the ongoing war, saying that the visa extension scheme preserves the rights to work, live, study, and receive healthcare and welfare support in the UK.