UK Response to Ukrainian Refugees
The UN estimates that since the start of Russia’s current ongoing military invasion of Ukraine on the 24th February, around 2 million Ukrainians have fled to seek refuge in other countries.[1] Of the 2 million, the majority (1.2 million) have gone to Poland and other neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova have also received a substantial number of Ukrainian refugees. Initially, the EU allowed Ukrainian citizens to enjoy 90-day visa free access to the EU but have since announced that Ukraine refugees will be given the right to live, work, access healthcare, housing, education etc immediately for at least one year without having to go through a lengthy asylum procedure.[2] This right can be extended for a further 2 years if the crisis continues or if refugees are not able to return safely to Ukraine. This approach has been applauded (despite the EU’s double standard treatment towards refugees from Europe in comparison to refugees from the 2015 Syrian crisis).
However, in relation to the UK, when the bombing first started on the 24th of February, Boris Johnson expressed sympathy for Ukrainians and asserted that the UK is on their side. However, there is an apparent mismatch between his assertions and his actions, reflected by the UK’s approach towards Ukrainian refugees. Since the UK is no longer a member of the EU, it is not bound to the EU approach and is free to adopt its own approach. The UK has therefore decided to take a more restrictive approach, refusing to waive visa rules.[3] Instead, it has initiated the ‘Ukraine Family Scheme Visa’ which only allows Ukrainians who have a family member in the UK to apply for a visa through the scheme. The scheme has now received over 17000 applications but have reportedly only granted 300 visas thus far. The government’s approach has been widely criticised across parliament[4] and NGOs. Furthermore, many Ukrainians seeking to enter the UK are now gathered at Calais awaiting their visas to be processed.[5] While there is no actual UK visa centre there, Calais which is on the north coast of France is one of the main routes to the UK. The UK government is not providing sufficient manpower and resources in Calais to help with the situation.
The divergence between the UK and EU approach to the Ukrainian crisis can be attributed to the differences which led to the split in the first place. Even in the face of such a humanitarian crisis, the UK still wants to be able to keep a tight leash around its immigration processes.
[1] UNHCR Data Portal, ‘Ukraine Refugee Situation’ (UNHCR, 8 March 2022) < https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine#_ga=2.225146458.1151695400.1644653293-1688054571.1626507808 > Accessed 9 March 2022
[2] Jennifer Rankin, ‘Ukrainian refugees given right to live in EU for three years’ (The Guardian, 2 March 2022) < https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/02/ukraine-refugees-right-to-live-in-eu-plan > Accessed 9 March 2022
[3] Rajeev Syal, Jessica Elgot and Nicola Slawson, ‘Pritel Patel refuses to waive all visa rules for Ukrainian refugees’ (The Guardian, 28 February 2022) < https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/02/ukraine-refugees-right-to-live-in-eu-plan > Accessed 9 March 2022
[4] Andrew Sparrow, Diane Taylor and Lisa O'Carroll , ‘Changes to UK Visa Rules for Ukrainians called shameful by Labour’ (The Guardian, 27 February 2022) <https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/27/uk-expected-ease-visa-restrictions-ukrainians-fleeing-war> Accessed 9 March 2022
[5] Joseph Lee, ‘UK can and will do more for Ukrainian refugees’ (BBC News, 8 March 2022) < https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60655788> Accessed 9 March 2022
