Ukrainian refugees from the war in Great Britain struggle with many problems related to establishing a new life. Among the many ways to be considered integrated, finding a job is one of the most important, as it allows them to meet their basic needs and gives them a sense of belonging to society, financial stability and dignity. Due to problems with the visa procedure, most Ukrainians face the prospect of losing their jobs or being unable to find a new job.
Ukrainian refugees in Great Britain are facing enormous difficulties, in particular with regard to delays in extending visas, reports The Telegraph. The Extension of Permit in Ukraine (UPE) scheme was introduced in November 2024, which means you can extend your stay in the country for 18 months after the expiry of your previous visa, but only one month before the expiry date. This rule, which is currently in place, ensures that applications can only be submitted one month before the visa expires. This condition creates great uncertainty among employers who do not want to enter into long-term contracts with persons whose legal status in the country is uncertain.
Problems of Ukrainians
This seriously affects the lives of Ukrainians. Opora, which helps refugees in Great Britain, said that 15% of respondents were at risk of losing their jobs because of these rules — more than 20,000. persons out of 214,000 Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the country since March 2022.
The story of Yana Igorivna Pronina is cited as an example of such a situation. A 33-year-old English teacher, after moving to Great Britain she was faced with the fact that her qualifications from Ukraine were not recognized, so she completed the course at her own expense. At first, Jana worked through an agency, and then got a permanent contract at a college in London. However, due to her uncertain visa status, her contract was canceled and she is now only working on a short-term contract.
Another Ukrainian — a 49-year-old employee of an engineering company who now lives in London — said his employer refused to renew his contract because his visa expires in May 2025. Despite his qualifications and experience, after checking his right to work, he no longer receives invitations to interviews.
Now this question goes beyond individual fairy tales. Many Ukrainians have taken up positions in such vital industries as agriculture and the hotel business, where labor shortages are felt. In this regard, the head of the inter-party parliamentary group on Ukrainian issues, Alex Sobel, called for more active cooperation between state departments to ensure the continuity of employment of Ukrainian workers. He noted that the current circumstances pose a danger not only for refugees, but also for the economy of Great Britain.
In addition to work, problems with visa extension affected all other spheres of life of Ukrainian refugees. As a result, according to Opora’s survey, 4% of Ukrainians faced refusal to rent private housing due to uncertainty of legal status. Stan Benes, the organization’s director, said that while the government has taken vital steps to help Ukrainians, delays in visa extensions are forcing many to choose temporary or inadequate work and housing arrangements, hindering their integration and stable lives.
The position of the UK government
The UK government has said that all refugees applying for visa extensions through the UPE system retain the right to work and live in the country while their applications are processed. But the very process of submitting documents, only a month before the visa expires, creates uncertainty for employers and refugees.
This situation highlights the importance of providing not only formal support for refugees, but also the creation of a transparent and user-friendly system that will facilitate their adaptation. Ukrainian refugees strive to live with dignity, work and contribute to society, but for this they need clear rules and real support.
