Ukrainian refugees can apply for visa extension

Around 300 Ukrainian refugees who sought safety when war broke out in their homeland will soon be able to have their UK visas extended.

From Tuesday, residents who fled the conflict will be able to apply to the Ukrainian Permission Extension (UPE) visa scheme following a government announcement.

Swindon Borough Council said it would contact known residents who may be eligible for the scheme to support them in extending their stay.

These visa extensions will grant Ukrainians a further 18 months in the UK, but they must apply within the 28-day window of their current visa expiring.

A total of 172 Ukrainians living in independent accommodation in Swindon will be contacted about extending their stay, as well as a further 112 people still in accommodation with hosts under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Since the war broke out, the council's Warm Welcome team has provided wrap-around support to all Ukrainian arrivals by allocating a case worker, who provides one-to-one support to help with their transition.

For those households where residents are still in accommodation with hosts, 'Thank You' payments will also continue when visas are extended.

However, these payments will drop from £500 to £350 for all hosts in April 2025.

Councillor Jim Grant, the council's cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said: "Initially set up in 2021 to support the arrival of refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, the Warm Welcome team continues to provide a comprehensive support service.

"The team works with partners across the statutory and voluntary sectors to assist individuals and families arriving in Swindon to navigate through services and systems, offering information, advice and emotional support.

"Throughout the visa extension process for Ukrainian residents, they are available to support residents through the process and find options which best suit their needs.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in this important work, including families hosting people who fled war, as they have shown how Swindonians have huge hearts in welcoming people from all over the world."

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