Ukrainians lose out on jobs and houses over visa uncertainty

Ukrainians within the UK are shedding out on job alternatives and houses due to uncertainty over how lengthy they are going to be allowed to remain within the nation.

They had been initially given the precise to reside and work within the UK for 3 years and may apply for an 18-month extension 28 days earlier than their authentic visa expires. The federal government mentioned this supplied “certainty and safety”.

However some Ukrainians have informed the BBC that employers are reluctant to rent them or landlords is not going to lease to them as a result of their visa is because of expire.

One survey of 1,133 Ukrainians in Britain advised 41% had misplaced a brand new job alternative due to visa uncertainty, whereas 26% mentioned their tenancy was not renewed.

Researchers from the College of Birmingham additionally discovered 22% of respondents mentioned a job contract was not renewed, whereas 24% mentioned they may not signal a brand new tenancy.

Arrivals spiked after the Houses for Ukraine scheme, which permits individuals within the UK to host these fleeing the struggle, was launched on 14 March 2022.

On the peak in Might that 12 months, greater than 10,000 Ukrainians every week got here, with a complete of 300,000 provided sanctuary to this point, in response to the House Workplace.

Individuals had been initially given the precise to remain for 3 years, that means the majority of visas are attributable to expire within the coming months. The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened on 18 February.

The federal government says Ukrainians retain their current rights to reside and work within the UK whereas a choice is being made on whether or not to increase their visa, which might take as much as eight weeks.

Nonetheless, charities say in observe some Ukrainians who’re within the technique of extending their visa or solely have a number of months left are struggling to search out jobs or rental properties.

Mila, who lives in Atherstone, Warwickshire, along with her 14-year-old daughter, is ready for her visa extension to be authorised.

The household should depart their flat by 25 April as it’s being offered by the owner.

She had deliberate to maneuver to a flat nearer to her job at a salon in Nuneaton however the agent informed her she couldn’t signal a six-month tenancy as a result of her visa is because of expire on 12 April.

Mila mentioned she had tried various totally different brokers with out success due to her visa standing.

She informed the BBC she was nervous in regards to the prospect of being left with out wherever to reside, including: “I can not sleep at evening.”

Tatiana – not her actual title – struggled to discover a new job after her contract as a lab technician ended, regardless of being extremely certified.

Over a six-month interval she says she was refused for round six jobs as a result of her visa was attributable to expire in July, with potential employers citing uncertainty over whether or not her proper to work within the UK can be prolonged.

One firm requested her to use for a visa extension instantly, however she was unable to due to guidelines stating functions can solely be made 28 days earlier than the unique visa expires.

Tatiana, who has two sons aged 11 and 16, informed the BBC the state of affairs left her affected by anxiousness, for which she was prescribed medicine by her GP.

Though she has now secured a brand new job, Tatiana nonetheless feels nervous about her future.

“It is extremely irritating to really feel trapped on this cycle,” she mentioned.

“[My employer] would love to supply a longer-term place, however the visa state of affairs prevents it.

“We’re all in a troublesome place, and I want we had a minimum of some certainty in regards to the future.”

Olena – not her actual title – arrived within the UK along with her daughter, who’s now 15, in April 2022 and their visas have lately expired.

She utilized for an extension greater than three weeks earlier than the expiry date however they’re nonetheless ready for this to be authorised.

Olena is a housekeeper at a resort however her employer initially informed her she couldn’t work after her visa expires and must take annual depart.

She additionally receives common credit score as she will solely work restricted hours attributable to well being issues. Along with her visa attributable to expire, her caseworkers wrote to her warning her advantages may very well be stopped, inflicting her additional anxiousness.

Rights to say advantages stay whereas a visa determination is pending, in response to authorities steering.

Olena was solely in a position to persuade her employer she might proceed to work with assist from the charity Settled, which additionally helped her to supply the mandatory data to make sure her profit funds continued.

Others informed the BBC that they had been knowledgeable by universities they must pay worldwide charges as their visa was attributable to expire earlier than the course started.

That is regardless of authorities steering stating that these on visa schemes for Ukrainians must be handled as “house” college students, who’re eligible for monetary help and home charges.

Settled mentioned it had additionally seen an growing variety of technical points which had left Ukrainians unable to show their visa standing or progress their functions for an extension.

It mentioned an automated visa extension would keep away from these points.

Simone Schehtman, who runs the Birmingham for Ukraine help group, mentioned at the moment most visa extensions had been being authorised inside a few weeks however there was concern that within the coming months the quantity of functions might overwhelm the system.

“We have got about 100,000 Ukrainians about to submit their [extension application],” mentioned Ms Schehtman. “It is a full catastrophe.”

A authorities spokesperson mentioned: “We’re absolutely dedicated to supporting Ukraine in its battle in opposition to Putin’s unlawful struggle, whereas additionally offering a secure and safe haven for these fleeing the battle.”

The spokesperson added that the visa extension scheme allowed “a continuation of rights to work, reside and examine in addition to entry to healthcare and welfare help within the UK”.