Ukrainian families face limbo over British visa delays

Families of people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine have told the BBC about their frustrations with trying to get British visas for their relatives.

Yuliya Puglisi-Allegra, a British Ukrainian, said her mother collapsed in Moldova after a seven-hour wait.

"She's been through a lot, and she's a strong woman, but she promised me she wouldn't die," Ms Puglisi-Allegra said.

The Home Office said it was "doing everything possible to ensure a rapid visa service".

UK to outline Ukrainian visa scheme changes

Ms Puglisi-Allegra is hoping to bring her mother to Bristol, along with her sisters' two children.

"You have to call the 24/7 helpline which doesn't work 24/7. It only gives support in English, and directs people to a government website," she said.

"My mother was able to apply on the government's scheme, but my niece and nephew are not allowed to apply as they're not considered family.

"I don't think this is supportive to people who are trying to cross and stay with their loved ones," said Ms Puglisi-Allegra.

When her mother arrived after a long journey to Moldova, she was told there were too many people for them to deal with.

The visa centre had just one fingerprint machine, but Ms Puglisi-Allegra said the staff were "incredibly supportive."

Speaking at a UK visa application centre in Rzeszow, eastern Poland, Natasha Honcharuk is hoping to join relatives in Bristol.

She is travelling with her family but not her parents who have decided to stay in the city of Kherson, a city in the south of Ukraine.

"We speak every day and we say that everything will be fine.

"We wait, maybe we have to wait one week, maybe two weeks if we want to get a visa to England. It's very difficult," she said.

Another family kept apart whilst they wait for visas is engaged couple Steven and Olga from Gloucestershire, who are due to get married in a few months

Steven lives in Cirencester but Olga, who already has a British visa, has been stuck in Poland trying to secure visas for her three children.

They have now had their visa applications accepted but still face a long wait to actually get them issued.

"I made an appointment today for the nearest date which is 24 March and I think to print them it will take at least one week," said Olga.

There is also an added complication in that Olga's mother, who also fled Ukraine, is still waiting for a visa.

Steven said he had been in regular contact with his MP to ask for more resources to be given to the visa application centres amid "the shambolic situation there".

The Home Office said it also had to carry out "vital security checks" with its visa service and that it had hired 100 new staff to help bolster its visa helpline.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has promised a streamlined online visa application system for Ukrainians seeking to flee the war with Russia in response to criticism of her approach to the crisis.

She told MPs the changes will come in from Tuesday after the Home Office came under pressure to simplify the system which allows family members of people settled in the UK to join their relatives.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the Government's approach had been "shameful" and Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko called for an end to the "bureaucratic red tape" restricting refugees from seeking sanctuary in Britain.

Separately, aid efforts from Britain are continuing on top what the government has already pledged.

On Tuesday, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, singled out Khaled El Mayet from Cheltenham who has raised funds to send four fully-stocked ambulances to Ukraine.

Mr El Mayet said: "I cant believe it, I set this up thinking I would get enough for one ambulance to drive myself.

"I have no idea how Mr Blinken heard about my fundraising so far."

He will set off from Cheltenham in the next few days.

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