Fleeing refugees who hold a passport will be able to complete a visa application to the UK’s Ukraine Family Scheme digitally, Priti Patel has confirmed.
Speaking in the Commons, the home secretary said that from Tuesday, those trying to get from Ukraine to the UK who hold a national passport will be able to complete the whole application process online – relieving pressure on visa processing centres.
The home office has been criticised for its lack of visa centres to help hundreds of Ukrainian refugees who may be eligible for the family scheme to get into the UK.
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of people settled in the UK to join their relatives.
“From Tuesday, I can announce that Ukrainians with passports will no longer need to go to a visa application centre to give their biometrics before they come to the UK,” Ms Patel told the Commons.
“Instead, once their application has been considered and appropriate checks completed, they will receive direct notification that they’re eligible for the scheme and can come to the UK.
“In short, Ukrainians with passports will be able to get permission to come here fully online from wherever they are and will be able to give their biometrics once in Britain.
“This will mean that visa application centres across Europe can focus their efforts on helping Ukrainians without passports.”
Ms Patel added that “vital security checks will continue in all cases”.
