Afghan and Nigerian migrants enter UK on Ukraine visa scheme | UK | News
Two visa schemes were created for Ukrainians after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion in February 2022; Under one option, people from Ukraine could come to the UK if they had family in Britain or if they were offered accommodation under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship programme.
The Telegraph reports that the number of visas obtained by non-Ukrainians now stands at almost one in every 80 applications accepted by the Home Office.
Data analyzed by the newspaper Argentines, Nigerians, Turks, Ghanaians, Syrians, Vietnamese and Chileans were revealed to have accessed the UK using Ukrainian schemes, despite not being caught up in the conflict.
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told the Telegraph: “The government should not be allowing non-Ukrainians into the UK under the Ukraine visa scheme. “This needs to be for Ukrainians, not Afghans and Iraqis.
“This is further evidence that we need to leave the ECHR; that’s what will happen if we have a Conservative government and I am home secretary.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship program is primarily aimed at Ukrainian citizens. Third country nationals are only eligible if they apply as part of a family group that includes an immediate family member who is a Ukrainian citizen, and they must also apply.
“Ukrainian plans remain temporary and do not lead to a solution, in line with the strong desire of the Ukrainian government for the future return of its citizens.”
