Ukrainian refugees in Britain: how new visa rules jeopardize jobs and housing

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees are at risk of losing their jobs and homes due to new visa rules in the UK. The UPE program, which was supposed to help, is creating new bureaucratic obstacles, making it harder to find employment and adapt. Find out about the main causes of the problems, stories of those affected, the government's response and possible economic consequences for the country

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Ukrainian refugees who have taken refuge in the UK because of the war have faced new difficulties caused by bureaucratic restrictions. In particular, the issue of extending their visa status has become a major obstacle to their employment and access to housing. This was reported by The Telegraph.

Changes related to the new Ukraine Extension Scheme (UPE) program, which came into effect in February 2024, have created conditions under which thousands of Ukrainians risk being left without work and a roof over their heads.

New visa rules in the UK: details

In November 2023, the British government introduced a program that allows Ukrainian refugees to extend their residence permit for 18 months. However, there is an important condition: you can apply only within 28 days after the expiration of your current visa.

For many Ukrainians, this proved to be impractical due to the lack of sufficient information, the complexity of the procedure, and the slow response from official agencies. As a result, employers began to refuse to hire Ukrainians for fear of legal problems due to their uncertain status.

Problems instead of support: how British visa restrictions affect Ukrainian refugees

According to the charity organization Opora, which helps Ukrainians adapt to the UK, about 20,000 refugees (approximately 15% of the total) may lose their jobs due to these restrictions.

The situation is particularly critical for those working in sectors where labor demand is high, such as agriculture, hospitality, and service industries.

Among those affected is 33-year-old Yana Pronina, a teacher from Ukraine who lost her contract at a London college because her visa expired. Her path to employment was not easy: her Ukrainian qualifications did not meet local requirements, so she completed preparatory courses at her own expense. Despite her efforts, the employer canceled the contract for formal reasons related to her visa status.

Another example is a 49-year-old Ukrainian man who managed to get a position among 30 candidates, but his employment contract was also terminated for similar reasons. He notes that it is now difficult for him to even get an invitation for an interview, as employers immediately check his work permit.

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Government and public reaction

The problem is also recognized at the political level. Alex Sobel, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, emphasized the need for cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and the Department of Business and Trade. He called on the government to provide companies with clear guarantees that they can continue to employ Ukrainians without risking legal sanctions.

In addition, Stan Benesch, Director of Opora, emphasized that although the initiative to extend visas for 18 months is a positive step, its implementation poses significant risks to the stability of refugees' lives in the UK. Many of them have already lost access to rental housing because their visas have formally expired.

Economic consequences

In addition to social problems, the situation may have economic consequences for Britain. Ukrainian refugees fill a labor shortage in many industries, and their loss of employment could lead to a decline in productivity in these sectors. In particular, agriculture and the hospitality industry, which are already experiencing staff shortages, may face additional difficulties.

We remind you! The UK government has announced an 18-month extension of visas for Ukrainian refugees from February 2025. Find out about the key conditions, terms and important nuances of the extension in our article.

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