'I don't live, I just exist': Ukrainian families torn apart by visa changes

Visa changes implemented in the UK have resulted in the separation of Ukrainian families. Halyna, a single mother, has been separated from her 14-year-old son Ihnat since the Russian invasion in February 2022. The Homes for Ukraine scheme, launched in March 2022, has been restricted to only allow British/Irish citizens or those with permanent UK residence to sponsor family members.

While over 180,000 people have come to the UK under the scheme, the Work Rights Centre highlights that fewer hosts are willing to sponsor, making it increasingly difficult for Ukrainians to reunite their families. The government is being urged to reverse this heartless policy.