Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ukrainian Nationals: Visas and Support

Monday 19 December 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Applications for the UK's three bespoke Ukraine schemes are online, fee-free, and have no salary or language requirements.
  • Nearly 150,000 visas have been issued to Ukrainians since the start of Vladimir Putin's invasion.
  • The Minister is considering improvements to UK visit visa processes for Ukrainian visitors and those serving in the Ukrainian armed forces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stuart McDonald SNP
Immigration Ukraine
Context

The question arises from the need to improve access to visas and support for Ukrainian citizens affected by Vladimir Putin's invasion.

Question

What steps she is taking to help improve (a) access to visas and (b) support for Ukrainian nationals. Applications for the UK's three bespoke Ukraine schemes are online, have no fee and no salary or language requirements. Nearly 150,000 visas have been issued to Ukrainians since the start of Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion.

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Applications for the UK's three bespoke Ukraine schemes are online, have no fee and no salary or language requirements. Nearly 150,000 visas have been issued to Ukrainians since the start of Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion. The UK Visas and Immigration service aims to decide those applications within five days, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Generally, we are now meeting that standard.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask about support for Ukrainian nationals was not addressed

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Q2 Stuart McDonald SNP
Ukraine
Context

Ukrainian MPs have raised concerns about the complexity and inefficiency of the UK visit visa processes, which require multiple trips to Poland or weeks of waiting.

Question

Ukrainian MPs who have met colleagues here have repeatedly asked for improvements to UK visit visa processes. Visitors from Ukraine must either go to Poland twice—first for biometrics and then to collect the visa—or wait there for several weeks. Will the Minister look at what can be done to make it simpler for those brave politicians and other Ukrainian citizens visiting their families here to access the necessary visa?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I am in contact with a number of Ukrainian politicians who have raised exactly that point with me and, indeed, the issue of those serving in the Ukrainian armed forces who might wish to visit relatives here while on a short period of leave. I am giving that further consideration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment or timeline given for simplifying visa processes

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