It’s reported 1,000s of non-Ukrainian migrants have used the system to enter Britain.
Migrants from a variety of countries have been using the Ukraine visa scheme (Image: Getty)
Migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East have been allowed into Britain under Labour by using the Home Office scheme to allow free visas for Ukrainians fleeing the war. It’s reported almost 3,500 visas have been granted to people from 112 countries, including Iran, Iraq, India, Palestinian territories and Nigeria – which itself is over 3,000 miles away from Ukraine.
Two visa schemes had been set up 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 they could come if they had been offered accommodation under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship programme.
The Telegraph reports the number of visas taken up by non-Ukrainians is now almost one in every 80 of the applications granted by the Home Office.
The Scheme was set up when the Ukraine war started (Image: Getty)
Data analysed by the newspaper found Argentines, Nigerians, Turks, Ghanians, Syrians, Vietnamese and Chileans had all accessed Britain using the Ukraine 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 Ukrainian visa scheme. It is supposed to be for Ukrainians, not Afghans and Iraqis.
“This is further evidence that we need to leave the ECHR, which is what will happen if we have a Conservative government and I become home secretary.”
Migrants from African, Asian and Middle Eastern have used the Ukraine scheme (Image: Getty)
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme is primarily for Ukrainian nationals. Third country nationals can only be eligible if they apply as part of a family group which must include an immediate family member who is a Ukrainian national, and they must apply at the same time.
“The Ukraine schemes remain temporary, in line with the Ukrainian government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens, and do not lead to settlement.”