The war forced millions of Ukrainians to leave their homes in search of safety. Among those who went abroad, there is a large number of children who need special protection and support. European countries play a key role in helping refugees, providing them with housing, access to education and health services. Help for children who left Ukraine without one or both parents is especially important. EU countries and Great Britain are implementing special programs to support young Ukrainian migrants to ensure a safe and stable life for them.
Simplification of visa rules for Ukrainian children
On January 31, 2025, the British authorities renewed the program, which provides for the simplification of visa rules for Ukrainian children entering the country. As informs the British Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, parents or legal guardians who already have permission to stay in Great Britain under one of the Ukrainian schemes, can now apply for sponsorship of their child under the “Houses for Ukraine” program.
Under the updated rules, children sponsored by their parents or legal guardians are allowed to stay in the UK for 18 months. The program guarantees access to education, health care, social benefits and employment in accordance with British law. To obtain a visa, both the applicant child and the sponsoring parents must meet all the requirements of the “Houses for Ukraine” program.
Previous changes in the refugee program
In February 2024, the British government changed the conditions for participation in the program, prohibiting Ukrainians without the right to permanent residence from acting as sponsors for new applicants. This meant that only British or Irish citizens, or those who had a permanent residence permit in Great Britain, could grant shelter to Ukrainian refugees.
In addition, the “Ukrainian Family Program”, which allowed Ukrainians to join their relatives who already had permanent status in Great Britain, was closed at that time. This change significantly limited the opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians who hoped for support from relatives in Britain.
Duration of visa status for refugees
In November 2024, the British government extended the validity of visas for Ukrainian refugees for another 18 months. This applies to those who arrived in the country after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thanks to this decision, thousands of Ukrainian citizens, including children, can remain in the UK and continue to benefit from social and educational programs without the risk of deportation or loss of status.
Simplifying visa procedures for Ukrainian children is an important step in supporting refugees who have been forced to leave their country due to war. Thanks to the new rules, Ukrainian families in Great Britain can receive additional guarantees of safety, social support and access to basic life services. Although some programs for Ukrainian refugees have been canceled or changed, the decision to extend visas and ease entry conditions for children shows the readiness of the British government to continue to support Ukrainians in difficult times.
