Legal Routes and Support for Ukrainians Seeking Safety in the UK Cities of Sanctuary
Providing information on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, safe legal routes and support available for Ukrainians to seek refuge in the UK. Details on various schemes, sponsorships, and options for individuals both outside and inside the UK, including special cases, children, trafficking, and access to legal advice and resources.
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Presentation Transcript
Homes for Ukraine Scheme Safe Legal Routes for Ukrainians to the UK Cities of Sanctuary Q&A Session 28 April 2022
Todays Agenda Safe Legal Routes For People Outside of the UK For People Inside the UK Special Cases CTA, Children, Trafficking Legal Advice, Factsheets and Further Resources
Safe Legal Routes Outside the UK Ukraine Family Scheme Ukrainian or the family member of a Ukrainian Resident in the Ukraine on or before 1 January 2022 British sponsor settled in the UK (or pre-settled status or refugee status/HP)
Safe Legal Routes Outside the UK Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme Ukrainian or the family member of a Ukrainian Resident in the Ukraine on or before 1 January 2022 British sponsor Must have leave to remain for at least 6 months Must commit to hosting for at least 6 months ( 350/month thank you payment) Scotland and Wales are super sponsors under this scheme
Safe Legal Routes Outside the UK Ukraine Family Scheme Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme 3 years limited leave to remain Access to public funds (universal credit & housing benefit) Right to work Freedom of movement within the UK
Safe Legal Routes Outside the UK Other Visa Routes Ukrainians are still eligible to apply for other visa routes under the Immigration Rules For example, visit, study and work visas They must still meet the normal criteria and fees are payable for these applications
Safe Legal Routes Inside the UK Ukraine Extension Scheme Will be launched on 3 May 2022 to allow people in the UK on or before 1 January 2022 to apply for further leave to remain Likely to permit current leave holders to switch into the 3- year route Not clear if there will be rights to family reunion
Safe Legal Routes Inside the UK Ukraine Family Scheme Applications can also be made in-country, but the same eligibility criteria apply Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme No in-country route - but an exceptional application could be made in-country
Safe Legal Routes Inside the UK Asylum Many people fleeing Ukraine are at real risk of persecution due to their nationality and/or ethnicity or of serious harm due to the Russian invasion They may also wish to claim asylum in the UK There are significant delays in processing asylum claims at present and individualised legal advice should be obtained before making a claim for asylum
Safe Legal Routes Inside the UK Other Visa Routes Some concessions were introduced for people on short term visas this includes increased flexibility to switch between routes, but fees are still payable. Some Ukrainians are now overstayers or have entered the UK without leave to remain - individual legal advice should be sought to regularise their status as soon as possible
Special Cases Arrival from Ireland There is no hard border between N Ireland and the ROI however, Ukrainians cannot rely on the Common Travel Area Ukrainians arriving from ROI to N Ireland or other parts of the UK without a visa should either seek UK Immigration at a port of entry (airport or ferry terminal) to obtain leave to enter OR should seek individual legal advice to regularise their status as soon as possible
Special Cases Unaccompanied Minors Applications for unaccompanied minors to join relatives will be considered under the Ukrainian Family Scheme but there are detailed additional requirements Applications cannot normally be made under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme for unaccompanied minors (children not travelling with or joining a legal guardian) people in this situation should seek individualised legal advice
Special Cases Trafficking People fleeing conflict are at heightened risk of violence, destitution and exploitation including trafficking It is important to be alert to the risk that traffickers will exploit Ukrainians and their families, in the UK and abroad, and be aware of the indicators of trafficking. Factsheet about trafficking in English, Ukrainian and Russian: http://ukraineadvice.scot
Special Cases Applications Outside the Rules If cases fall outside the rules of the Ukrainian Family Scheme or the Homes for Ukraine Scheme it is still possible to make an application Exceptional or compassionate circumstances should be explained and evidenced Individualised legal advice should be sought by people hoping to make an application outside the rules
Further information Home Office factsheets in English, Russian and Ukrainian: https://homeoffice.brandworkz.com/BMS/albums/?album =2807&lightboxAccessID=DF7212AE-B062-4A32- 8756151CA5BADD05
Free Legal Advice http://ukraineadvice.scot Free, confidential legal helpline: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am to 10pm
Free Legal Advice Other sources of free legal advice include: Ukraine Advice Project: https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/ Here for Good s Ukraine Project: https://www.hereforgoodlaw.org/ukraine Free advice from Settled: https://settled.org.uk/ukraine-family- scheme-frequent-asked-questions/ Barnardos Ukraine Family Advice service: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/helping- families/ukrainian-helpline
Contact Us Jen Ang, Director of Policy and Development jen@justrightscotland.org.uk T : 0141 406 5350 F : 0141 406 5351 W: www.justrightscotland.org.uk : @justrightscot @jenanglaw
