Ukrainians can now bring their children to the UK

Ukrainians can now bring their children to the UK after the government reversed recent visa restrictions.

Last February, the government unexpectedly restricted eligibility under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, preventing many from sponsoring children.

Charities criticized the policy for separating families, forcing desperate parents to use illegal routes to reunite with their children.

They welcomed the change but warned it still excludes other family members like siblings and elderly parents.

Since March 2022, over 190,000 people have entered the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Conservative-led changes last February allowed only permanent UK residents, British, or Irish citizens to sponsor applicants.

These changes prevented Ukrainians in the UK without permanent status from sponsoring their relatives.

The government also closed the Ukraine Family Scheme, which previously allowed Ukrainians to join relatives with permanent UK residence.

Now, parents or legal guardians under any Ukrainian visa scheme can sponsor their children through the Homes for Ukraine program.

Many Ukrainians believed they could later bring vulnerable relatives but now face an impossible choice.

They must either leave the UK’s safety or abandon loved ones in Ukraine.

Charities report hearing from hundreds of Ukrainians desperate to reunite with separated family members.

Settled, a charity supporting Ukrainian visa applicants, says some families used illegal routes to reunite with children.

Yuliia Ismail, an immigration advisor, urged the Home Office to process pending child visa applications quickly.

Some children have waited in conflict zones for nearly a year without a decision.

A Home Office spokesperson acknowledged the previous government’s policy prevented parents from sponsoring children despite having housing.

Officials acted urgently to fix the issue, allowing visa-holding Ukrainian parents to sponsor their children.

The change applies to both pending and future applications.

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