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News

Further support for Ukrainians fleeing Russia invasion

British nationals and people settled in the UK will be able to bring extended family members to the UK and sponsored humanitarian visa route will be established

Thousands more Ukrainians will be welcomed to the UK as the Government continues its support for Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion. On 1st March, the Prime Minister announced an expansion to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Route, which will increase the number of people from Ukraine who are eligible to come to the UK to be reunited with their families. As well as immediate family members, British nationals and people of any nationality settled in the UK will now be supported to bring parents, grandparents, adult children, and siblings to the UK.

People in the region who are eligible under this route are encouraged to call the helpline on 0300 3032785 and to go to a Visa Application Centre in a neighbouring country to enrol biometrics once they have submitted an application. The Prime Minister also announced plans for a new scheme for Ukrainians with no ties to the UK to come here. An uncapped sponsored humanitarian visa route will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors, or local authorities, to bring people to the UK. They will be able to work, and the sponsor would provide housing and integration support.

For full details on this announcement please see here. If you are an organisation or charity who are interesting in becoming a community sponsor, please contact Brein Fisher, Regional Migration Manager at brein.fisher@emcouncils.gov.uk