We’re waiting for a new Petitions Committee
Petitions had to stop because of the recent general election. Once a new Petitions Committee is set up by the House of Commons, petitions will start again.
Find out more on the Petitions Committee website
Closed petition Offer fast track asylum to any Ukrainians displaced due to the invasion
The Government should create a process to admit any Ukrainians displaced due to the Russian invasion, which operates under the presumption of granting asylum and can be applied for outside the UK.
More details
The threat from the Russian invasion of Ukraine is extremely high and has the potential to displace huge numbers. The morally correct thing is to admit as many refugees from this conflict as possible without leaving them in limbo, shirking our responsibilities or forcing them to undertake a dangerous journey to apply.
This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months
Government responded
This response was given on 12 April 2022
We delivered a generous response for Ukrainians, with 3 schemes to help them come to the UK, the first of their kind in the world. They offer greater security than asylum, and have no cap on numbers.
Read the response in full
Our humanitarian response has been developed at pace and in close consultation with the government of Ukraine and following extensive discussion with other countries in the region. The Ukrainian Family Scheme was launched on 4 March for relatives of British nationals and people settled in the UK. The scheme includes immediate family members (spouses, civil partners, partners, children under 18 and parents of children under 18), foster children, Ukrainian parents, grandparents, grandchildren, adult children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and their immediate family members. This was the first scheme of its kind to be operationalised by any country in the world.
We have streamlined the process so that there are no requirements for salary or language tests, but people will need to pass security checks. These checks are a fundamental part of our visa approval process and will continue, as they did for the evacuation of Afghanistan, to keep the public safe. Those granted status under the scheme will be able to come to the UK for three years with a right to work and access to benefits.
In addition to the Ukrainian Family Scheme, we also want to help Ukrainians who do not have family here. To assist them, we launched the Homes for Ukraine Scheme on 18 March. It will match Ukrainians with no family here with individuals, businesses, community organisations, or local authorities who are willing and able to act as their sponsor.
The Government is working closely with the UN Refugee Agency and other organisations in Ukraine to ensure that displaced Ukrainians are aware of this offer and know how to apply. DLUHC will also work closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to promote this scheme.
There are no limits to the number of individuals who can come to the UK via either of these schemes, provided they are eligible.
The Government has no plans to set up a separate fast track process or route outside of these two schemes, and the rights granted for work, benefits and right of abode for anyone claiming asylum are significantly inferior to those offered via UFS or H4DS.
Speeding up the process
Individuals who hold a valid Ukrainian international passport; or an expired Ukrainian international passport that contains an official passport extension stamp endorsed by the Ukrainian government, do not need to provide their biometric information at a visa application Centre (VAC) overseas when making an application under both Ukraine Schemes. These individuals can apply entirely online, and will instead submit their biometrics after they have arrived in the UK.
Individuals who hold identity cards or Ukrainian domestic passports and do not have a valid Ukrainian international passport (or an expired passport with a Ukrainian government officially endorsed extension), will still be required to provide their biometric information at a VAC in person.
We have also surged staff to support operations in VACs overseas, and prioritised caseworking for the Ukraine schemes in the UK, including by redeploying staff from wider Home Office business and other government departments.
Home Office
Related activity
MPs discuss the Ukraine crisis
In the last two weeks MPs have discussed the crisis in Ukraine almost every day in the House of Commons:
- Ministers have made several statements updating MPs on the situation in Ukraine, and the UK's response to this
- MPs have debated and approved legislation to introduce sanctions against Russia
- Opposition and backbench MPs have secured debates to discuss the crisis in Ukraine, and relations with Russia
You can find links to transcripts of all these discussions below.
Read transcripts of recent discussions in the House of Commons about Ukraine and Russia
You can find below a list of all the statements and debates about Ukraine and Russia in the last two weeks, with links to the transcripts of discussions by MPs.
21 February, a statement by the Secretary of State for Defence on Ukraine: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-21/debates/1283674C-E7E5-4A6D-9F32-6D5A6AA0617C/Ukraine
22 February, a statement by the Prime Minister on Ukraine : https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-22/debates/057FABBB-4F1C-4425-A304-4A168EC069EB/Ukraine
22 February, debate and approval of sanctions against Russia: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-22/debates/70AEE44E-B30C-4B89-8074-E08F1BCFF8B2/Sanctions
23 February, an Opposition debate on countering Russian aggression and tackling illicit finance: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-23/debates/8073B01E-6C2E-4416-9CC0-A109AD8A8E58/CounteringRussianAggressionAndTacklingIllicitFinance
24 February, a backbench debate on the UK’s relationship with Russia and China: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-24/debates/235437CA-820B-4234-9EFD-CFCCC6F6A883/RelationshipWithRussiaAndChina
24 February, a statement by the Prime Minister on Ukraine: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-24/debates/A76282B2-C1F4-4D00-B5E8-A8A0F2476FBB/Ukraine
25 February, an urgent question about Ukraine, answered by the Minister for the Armed Forces: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-25/debates/A1EE729F-F80E-452A-BA2C-49178A52766E/Ukraine
28 February, a statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on sanctions against Russia: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-28/debates/3D28CB2C-B2E4-40B4-B40A-6D0D1147B6C9/Sanctions
1 March, a statement by the Home Secretary on Ukraine: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-03-01/debates/2BD3EE0E-5EF0-42E0-B9BE-3AA0D03BEF86/Ukraine
1 March, debate and approval of sanctions against Russia: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-03-01/debates/6EF274E3-57A6-46ED-BFE2-348AEB926501/Sanctions
2 March, an Opposition debate on support for Ukraine and countering threats from Russia: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-03-02/debates/534F1DF9-9D78-46AE-840E-6DABEF47238E/SupportForUkraineAndCounteringThreatsFromRussia
3 March, a statement by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Russia's attack on Ukraine: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-03-03/debates/09361B37-8E3B-44BB-B41F-D0955C53EA40/Russia%E2%80%99SAttackOnUkraine
Find out more about the Ukraine crisis
The House of Commons Library has published a series of briefings about the Ukraine crisis, with information about how the situation has developed, and the international response.
Find out more: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9455/
Find out about future discussions in the House of Commons
Find out about upcoming discussions in the House of Commons here: https://whatson.parliament.uk/
Transcripts of all discussions in the House of Commons are published here a few hours after they happen: https://hansard.parliament.uk/
Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament
Sign up to the UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference: https://learning.parliament.uk/en/your-uk-parliament-newsletter-sign-up-form/
Arrangements for Ukrainian refugees to enter the UK to be discussed by MPs
MPs will debate an e-petition calling on the Government to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees on Monday 14 March. This debate has been scheduled by the MPs on the Petitions Committee.
Watch the debate on Monday from 4.30pm: https://youtu.be/ZeqPJokhuqA
You can also read a transcript of the debate a few hours after it has finished: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-24
This debate has been scheduled because e-petition 609530, "Waive visa requirement for Ukrainian refugees", was signed by over 100,000 people.
Read the petition that prompted next week's debate: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/609530
What is a Westminster Hall debate?
Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.
Find out more about Westminster Hall debates: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/debates/westminster-hall-debates/
Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament
You can sign up to the UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference: https://learning.parliament.uk/en/your-uk-parliament-newsletter-sign-up-form/
Ukrainian refugees discussed by MPs, and new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme announced
MPs debated an e-petition relating to arrangements for Ukrainian refugees to enter the UK on Monday 14 March. This debate followed a Government announcement of a new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety.
Debate on arrangements for Ukrainian refugees to enter the UK
MPs debated an e-petition calling on the Government to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees on Monday 14 March. This debate was scheduled by the MPs on the Petitions Committee, because e-petition 609530, "Waive visa requirement for Ukrainian refugees", was signed by over 100,000 people.
Read the petition that prompted this debate: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/609530
Read a transcript of the debate: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-03-14/debates/7F61EFBF-4EDF-43C3-A739-AA1FFA3F63CE/UkrainianRefugees
Watch the debate: https://youtu.be/ZeqPJokhuqA
This was a Westminster Hall debate, which give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.
Find out more about Westminster Hall debates: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/debates/westminster-hall-debates/
Government announces ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme
The Government has launched a new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK.
In the first phase of the scheme people in the UK will be able to nominate a named Ukrainian or Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.
Find out more information, and record your interest: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced details of the scheme in the House of Commons on Monday 14 March.
Read the Secretary of State's announcement and questions from MPs: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-03-14/debates/8B28287A-F683-4F80-8A1F-AA1016D92B27/UkraineSponsorshipScheme
Find out more about the Ukraine crisis
The House of Commons Library has published a series of accessible briefings about the Ukraine crisis, with information about how the situation has developed, and the international response.
Find out more: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9455/
Find out about future discussions in the House of Commons
Find out about upcoming discussions in the House of Commons: https://whatson.parliament.uk/
Read transcripts of all discussions in the House of Commons, which are published a few hours after they happen: https://hansard.parliament.uk/