UK progressively sending away Ukrainian migrants

(MENAFN) British authorities have increasingly been refusing Ukrainian migrants the right to extend their stay in the UK, the BBC Russian service reports. Since the conflict escalated in February 2022, the UK accepted over 250,000 Ukrainians under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which granted three-year visas but has now closed to new applicants and is seeing many existing visas expire.

The BBC reports that since early 2025, the UK government has tightened criteria for granting permanent protection and work visas to Ukrainians, arguing that western parts of Ukraine are now safe. While the Home Office has always described the scheme as temporary, options for Ukrainians to remain longer had existed until recently.

A legal advisor cited by the BBC said positive decisions on visa extensions are now “extremely rare,” even for disabled or chronically ill individuals. Other UK outlets like The Guardian and The Telegraph have noted a similar rise in refusal rates.

Across Europe, countries are also reconsidering their policies toward Ukrainians amid shifting geopolitical realities. Germany recently proposed cuts to benefits for Ukrainian migrants due to financial pressures, while Poland’s Defense Minister highlighted growing public frustration over the visible prosperity of some Ukrainian newcomers.

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