Ukrainian families have met with their local MP to raise concerns over their short-term visas, which are causing job uncertainty.
Men, women and children who fled the war in Ukraine and found refuge in West Dunbartonshire have met with Westminster politician Douglas McAllister to discuss issues with their short-term visas.
The meeting, which is set to be the first of many, was held at Napier Hall in Old Kilpatrick and gave Ukrainians a chance to share their concerns.
Tetiana Petkrum, 22, travelled on her own from a city in the south of Ukraine to West Dunbartonshire three years ago, knowing only a little English.
Now she works full-time at a Costa Coffee whilst living with her host family in Alexandria.
However, she has run into issues with her visa as the Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme, which renews short-term visas, only allows for a renewal application to be submitted 28 days before expiry.
She said: “I’m waiting for my visa extension, and I’ve been waiting for a month and a half already. My actual visa for three years has expired already.
“I had problems talking to my employer as well because they expected me to send the new documents within my previous visa.
“They made it so that we could apply for a new one only 28 days before, and it might take, they say, more than or around eight weeks.
“So for some people, it took them a few days to get accepted for the new visa. I’ve been waiting a month and a half. So if I weren’t that stable with the place where I live now and where I work, I wouldn’t be able to find a new place to live because obviously, they would look at my immigration status.”
Natalia Lutsyk and her husband, Aleks, travelled to Scotland with their three young sons after fleeing their beloved home in Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second-largest city – after it came under relentless shelling from Russian forces.
Natalia said: “The main problem is our visas. If we got a permanent one, we could plan our future because the visas are only for 18 months.
“For example, for pupils and especially for students, since they have only a short time.
“It’s also caused some problems with working contracts for people, especially when the contract expires and you need to renew a new one, and your visa is only for several months.”
For many Ukrainians with young families, their children are now growing up in the Scottish education system, making friends and roots in the West Dunbartonshire community, leaving them unsure of where their future lies.
He said: “I had a really nice conversation with Douglas, it seems like he understood us Ukrainians.
“I have a lot of thanks and appreciation for the help. Everyone here is really kind and generous, and it feels like home.
“It’s nice having four seasons.
“All my family is here, so we are trying to settle. I am really enjoying living in Scotland, but my heart belongs to Ukraine.”
Douglas McAllister, MP for West Dunbartonshire, is calling on the UK government to review the Ukrainian visas schemes to ensure they can continue their lives in the community.
He said: “The main concern for my Ukrainian constituents is the lack of certainty and stability with regards to their future. The Ukrainian families are here on the bespoke Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme.
“This provides temporary permission to live in the UK for blocks of 18 months at a time, ensuring that Ukrainians in the UK and West Dunbartonshire can continue to live independently and secure homes, employment, and education.
“When the war is over, many Ukrainians will wish to return to Ukraine; however, I feel it is important that those who now see West Dunbartonshire as their home can also choose to remain here in the UK if they wish.
“Many Ukrainian children are progressing very well through education and have plans to remain here in Scotland and continue with their education. I have asked the UK to review the current Ukrainian schemes to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the Ukrainians living here in West Dunbartonshire and across the UK, whilst at the same time, respecting the Ukrainian Government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens. ”
A UK government spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s illegal war, while also providing a safe and secure haven for those fleeing the conflict. We have offered our extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families.
“The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme enables those with permission to remain in the United Kingdom under one of the existing Ukraine schemes to apply for a further 18 months. This allows a continuation of rights to work, live and study as well as access to healthcare and welfare support in the UK.”
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