ukraine free travel uk

This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 Conservative Administration

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/11/factsheet-home-office-visa-support-for-ukrainians/

Factsheet: Home Office visa support for Ukrainians

• The Home Office stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
• The generous Ukraine Family Scheme provides an immediate pathway for people from Ukraine with family already in the UK to come here.
• It is designed to allow as many as people as possible to come to the UK and gives them immediate access to the support they need.
• The Scheme was developed in close consultation with Ukrainian leaders and the diaspora community to ensure our measures respond directly to their needs and asks, and we will continue to work with them to make changes as necessary.
• Ukrainians with valid passports and who are eligible for the Scheme do not need to go to a Visa Application Centre to give their biometrics before they come to the UK.
• The Ukraine Extension Scheme, which will go live on 3 May, will give Ukrainians already in the UK on temporary visas, alongside their family members, three years’ leave and full access to work, study and public funds.
• We continue to keep our support under constant review and will adapt and develop the visa routes in place to ensure they keep pace with the rapidly shifting situation in Ukraine.

Eligibility

Family members of British nationals and those settled in the UK are eligible to come to here. This includes:

• Immediate family members (spouses, civil partners, partners, children under 18 and parents of children under 18)
• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Adult children
• Aunts and uncles
• Nieces and nephews

Visa requirements

The Ukraine Family Scheme is a fee-free visa route. There are no salary or language tests, but people will need to pass security checks.

How to apply with a valid passport

From Tuesday 15 March, valid Ukraine passport holders do not need to attend in-person Visa Application Centre appointments to submit fingerprints or facial verification when making applications under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Once their application has been considered and the appropriate checks completed, they will receive direct notification that they are eligible for the scheme.

The majority of applications can be completed entirely online without attending a Visa Appointment Centre.

All applicants will still need to complete an online application form . Application forms must be completed for each family member, including one application per child.

Step-by-step guide

• Individual fills in the online application form
• Individual uploads scan of their passport
• Casework teams in the UK do appropriate biographical / security checks
• Individual receives email confirming permission to come to the UK, which they present to the transport carrier as authority to travel
• Border Force officers do any appropriate additional checks (e.g. safe guarding) on arrival and stamp their passport with six months’ leave to enter
• Individual visits a visa centre in the UK to give biometrics which finalises the grant of 36 months’ leave

How to apply without a valid passport

Applicants who hold identity cards and do not have a valid passport will still need to attend a VAC in person and provide their biometric information.

When applicants have completed an online form , they can book an appointment at any Visa Application Centre throughout Europe.

They should then attend their Visa Application Centre appointment, where they be required to submit their biometric information.

Once the visa application has been processed, we will contact applicants.

Applicants should remain in the location where they have submitted their application until they are contacted.

Leave to remain in the UK

• Those joining family in the UK through the Ukraine Family Scheme and people with temporary visas in the UK who apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme will be granted leave for three years.
• Valid passport holders who have not attended a VAC will be granted six months leave to enter the UK outside the rules, enabling them to work, study and claim benefits immediately. Once they have submitted biometric data in the UK, they will have their leave extended to three years.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

• The Ukraine Extension Scheme will go live on 3 May and will be open to Ukrainians in the UK on temporary visas, including work, study, or visitor visas, alongside their family members, to apply for three years’ leave to remain in the UK.
• Any Ukrainian whose leave to remain in the UK expired between 1 January 2022 and the Ukraine Extension Scheme coming into effect will still qualify for three years’ leave.
• Ukrainians here as workers (including under the Seasonal Work route)
• Ukrainians here as students and graduates
• Ukrainians here as visitors
• Ukrainians here with leave under the family and private life routes
• Ukrainians here as the dependants of third country nationals in any route
• Ukrainians here with exempt status
• Ukrainians here who have been granted temporary leave to enter or remain outside the rules
• Ukrainians here with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• The non-Ukrainian dependants of Ukrainians in these cohorts, who would be granted leave in line.
• If you want information on the Ukraine Family Scheme, you should call the dedicated Home Office line +44 (0)808 164 8810 – select option 1.  This option is now available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• If you are a Ukrainian national in the UK and need assistance, please call the dedicated Home Office line  +44 (0)808 164 8810 – select option 1. This option is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Further advice can be found at:  Support for family members of British nationals in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine and the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Myth buster:

Why don’t you just waive visas.

• We’ve already waived some of the normal requirements under this scheme, in order to help people forced to flee be reunited with their families in the UK as quickly as possible.
• Security and identity checks are a fundamental part of our visa process in order to keep people in this country safe, and this is consistent with our approach to the evacuation of Afghanistan.
• That is vital both to keep British citizens safe, but also to ensure that we are helping those in genuine need – as the Minister set out, we are already seeing people presenting false documents claiming to be Ukrainians.

Can’t you just do biometric checks on the street? Why do you need to go to the VAC?

• We take biometrics in secure VACs for the safety and security of our customers and staff, and to ensure sensitive data captured on our biometrics equipment is secure.

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News | London

Transport for London offers free travel to Ukrainian refugees

Transport for London ( TfL ) is offering Ukrainian refugees free travel on all of its services.

The offer allows any Ukrainian national free travel on the Tube, bus and other services for up to 48 hours after arriving in the UK.

People will have to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing their arrival into the UK in order to be eligible.

Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner said the scheme was being introduced to “support those fleeing this terrible conflict”.

He said: “The shocking scenes and stories from the continued war in Ukraine are truly heart-breaking and, along with the Mayor, we want to do what we can to support those fleeing this terrible conflict.

“Along with the Department for Transport and other train operating companies, we are helping Ukrainian nationals travelling to the UK reach their final destination by enabling them to travel for free across London using our bus, tram, Tube or rail services so they can get to their hosts as quickly as possible.”

Under the scheme, which is running for three months, Ukrainain evacuees will be offered a single-one way journey from their port of entry to a final destination.

It is part of a nationwide effort starting on March 20, aimed at helping Ukrainian refugees reach their final destination in the UK.

The scheme complements European operators such as the Eurostar who are also taking a similar approach.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the scheme was “hugely welcome”.

“The UK stands with the Ukrainian people and those fleeing Putin’s brutal invasion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of London has announced a “ London stands with Ukraine” peace march taking place on Saturday, March 26.

Sadiq Khan said the march will “give everyone who wants to show their solidarity a chance to stand together with the people of Ukraine.”

The march will begin from Park Lane at 2pm, with Yoko Ono’s ‘Imagine Peace’ message displayed on Piccadilly Lights.

A vigil will take place later in the afternoon in Trafalgar Square.

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Britain’s train operators offer free travel for Ukrainian arrivals

Operators will provide free onward train travel for Ukrainians on arrival in the UK.

Train operators are working together to provide support to Ukrainian arrivals by offering free onward travel to their final destinations in Britain .

The scheme will be live from Sunday 20 March 2022, and complements offers made by the European Railway Family, to provide safe and free passage for Ukrainians.

Trade body Rail Delivery Group has worked across the industry and Government to make sure the scheme is as simple as possible, so that:

• Ukrainian arrivals who have entered the UK will be able to travel for free on the national rail network by showing their Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing arrival into the UK
• they will have 48 hours from arrival in the UK to complete their journey; and
• the scheme applies to all train operators in Britain, and many bus and coach operators are also offering free onward travel to final destinations.

Jac Starr, chief executive at Rail Delivery Group, said: “We have all been shocked by the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. As an industry we know this is the right thing to do, making sure families affected by this tragedy can be reunited as quickly as possible, and helping others get to safety.

“Similar schemes have been launched on the continent so I am proud that we are standing alongside our European Rail family and doing what we can to help.”

Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said: “We are working tirelessly to help Ukrainians travelling to Britain fleeing conflict.

“It is hugely welcome that the transport industry has come together to offer free rail, tram, bus and coach onward travel from any international port, airport or train station.

“The UK stands with the Ukrainian people and those fleeing Putin’s brutal invasion.”

Rail Delivery Group

Information about the scheme on the National Rail Enquiries website

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• Free travel for Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainian displaced persons travel scheme

We’re joining the uk railway industry in providing free travel for ukrainian refugees on the national rail network.

To help Ukrainian citizens travelling to the UK, we're offering free onward travel on South Western Railway services to get you to a safe place. 

To make use of the Ukrainian displaced persons travel scheme, you will need to show your Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing your arrival into the UK. The offer is also valid on all train operators in England, Scotland, and Wales, and you’ll have 48 hours from arrival in the UK to complete your journey.

If your journey requires you to travel between London national rail stations, you’ll be able to use London Underground and DLR services to do so.

Head to our journey planner  to plan your journey. To make planning easier, you can also translate our website into Ukrainian using the accessibility tools at the top of this page.

You'll be eligible for free travel if you're a Ukrainian that's arrived into the UK within the last 48 hours. 

The journey can be claimed within 48 hours of arrival. The free travel scheme started on 26 March 2022 and will continue until 24 July 2023. Arrangements for after 24 July 2023 are being considered.

All the information can be translated into Ukrainian using the accessibility tools at the top of the page, or you can visit nationalrail.co.uk/ukraine .

You will not need a permit to travel. Show your passport and travel document to a member of our staff at the station or on board the train to confirm that you’ve travelled from Ukraine, and you’ll be allowed to travel.

We’ve got generous luggage allowances, and we’ll take your situation into account when you travel. You can find out more about what’s allowed on our trains on our luggage information page .

Any visas or legal documents required to enter the UK will have been checked before you arrive in the UK by Border Force personnel, and you won’t be asked to show it again by our colleagues on board. You’ll need to present your Ukrainian passport and a ticket or boarding pass showing when you arrived in the UK.

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Ukrainian Arrivals - Free Travel Policy

Choose Your Journey

• Use my current location
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Outbound date

Select time, outward journey, return date.

Select a return within 3 months of your outward travel.

Return Journey

Children under 14 years of age are not permitted to travel without being accompanied throughout the journey by a responsible person aged 16 years or over. Children aged 14 - 15 years old may travel unaccompanied, as from 5am, arriving at their booked destination no later than 10pm. Unaccompanied children will be asked for proof of age or a signed letter of permission from their parent/guardian. (sms or chat based messages are not permissible)

One infant aged 0-2 travels free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Additional infants aged 0-2 must be paid for. If you are travelling with more than 1 infant aged 0-2, please book the additional infant as 'Children (3-15).

Do you have a Coachcard?

Claim your free travel

We're offering free travel for Ukrainian arrivals who arrive in the UK to travel to a destination of their choice.

Free travel can be arranged from a UK arrival point to another location currently served on the National Express network. Individuals are encouraged to contact us in advance to guarantee their journey but we will also accept turn up and go travel (subject to availability).

Individuals will have 48 hours to make their onward journey from arrival into the country.

  Step 1

Use the journey planner above to search for your preferred journey.

Fill in the "travel from" and "travel to" fields, select the date of your journey and the number of passengers, and then select the "Find my journey" button to see what services are available.

  Step 2

Come back to this webpage and fill in the form below with your information and preferred journey details.

Please note, you will be requested to demonstrate eligibility for free travel by providing a copy of the following documents for each passenger :

• Travel itinerary, such as a boarding pass or ferry ticket
• A copy of a Ukrainian passport

  Step 3

After submitting the form, you will receive an email from us, asking you to reply back with one of the example documents in Step 2. Once these are verified we’ll send a ticket for travel to your email address within 1 hour. Please note that our customer service team opening hours are 08.00 - 18.00, 7 days a week.

If you are at a National Express departure point and are about to board a coach service you can speak to a member of our team on site, if they are available, or call our customer service team on 03717 81 81 01. (calls charged at local rate)

Ukrainian Arrivals - Free Travel

Your details, journey details, terms of the travel policy.

• Free travel applies to single one-way travel (including airports)
• Individuals will have 48 hours to make their onward journey from arrival into the country
• Travel itinerary, such as a boarding pass or ferry ticket.
• This offer can change or be removed at any time
• Available on all National Express Coach services, subject to availability
• No booking fees apply
• Standard luggage allowance is included per customer
• Customers who have not contacted National Express Customer Services in advance of travel may be subject to delay where seat availability is limited
• All tickets are issued and all passengers are carried subject to National Express' General Conditions of Carriage , available online and at all National Express outlets
• Issued by National Express, National Express House, Birmingham Coach Station, Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DD

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Open Return Information

Book your return

Your Open Dated Return is valid for 3 months from your outbound journey. To guarantee your seat on your return you need to confirm your ticket before you travel on www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call 0371 781 8181.

Open Dated Return Information

If your return date is not yet known, open return tickets provide flexibility. When travelling within the UK, the return journey can be made within 3 months of the outward date of travel. To guarantee your seat on your return journey you need to confirm your ticket before you travel by visiting www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call us on 03717 81 81 81. Lines open 7 days a week, 8am - 8pm (calls to this number are charged at local rate). Valid on any day throughout the year.

Open returns are not available on European journeys.

Wheelchair accessibility

Accessible coaches.

The majority of stops along the routes listed below are accessible to wheelchair users but are subject to change. Please call us to check the latest situation before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

To see a list of accessible coach routes please visit our Accessibility page.

Assisted Travel Helpline

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

03717 81 81 81 - ( option 3)  (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week). Calls to this number are charged at local rate.

For more information please visit our Disabled travellers page.

Passengers & Wheelchair accessibility

Passenger descriptions.

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult (16+) and Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by an adult (16+). Please note, you may be required to show proof of age at any point during your journey. Failure to do so, may result in the full adult fare being charged.

Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by a responsible adult (16+).

Disabled Children

Should be booked as Children. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our Assisted Travel Helpline.

We strongly recommend that you bring a car seat appropriate to your child's age, but ask you to take responsibility to fit the seat.

Booster Seats

Children aged between approximately 4-11 years old, or up to 150cm tall, may use booster seats. We carry a limited number onboard most coaches.

If travelling with a child, you may be required to show proof of age when buying tickets or at any point during your journey. Failure to do so may result in the child being required to pay the full fare for the journey on that day.

Booster seats

Children aged between approximately 4 years and 11 years or up to 150cm tall may use booster seats, we carry a limited number onboard most coaches along with our comfort fit seat belts.

Disabled children should be booked as children rather than 'Disabled'. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or you wish to book assistance with travel please call our Assisted Travel Helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

You can find a list of accessible coach stops on our Accessibility page .

Please call us 36 hours prior to travelling to check the latest status.

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance we recommend that you contact us on the following local rate telephone number: 03717 81 81 81 (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week) 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

Adult (26 - 59)

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged between of 26 and 59 inclusive.

Child 0 - 12 inclusive

Children aged 12 or under travelling on any European service must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Unaccompanied children will not be carried

Young persons (13 - 25)

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Young persons aged 16 or 17 years can travel alone on European services but only if they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Senior (60 and over)

Passengers aged 60 and over are entitled to receive a small discount on European journeys. On European journeys a 50% discount is given to carers, please call us on 08717 818177 to book.

Please select your passenger type first and then add your coachcards.

We have three different Coachcards available, each offering savings of 1/3 on all of our Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares all year round.

Prices shown include your coachcard discount, your coachcard number will be required during the booking process.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.

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Free or Low Cost Travel for Ukrainians

The train journeys are no longer free for Ukrainians, however, train tickets in Poland are a lot cheaper than they are in the UK and there are ways to travel very cheaply. You can search for tickets  here . Look for connections marked as TLK, which offer the cheapest tickets.

Ukrainians are able to get a free ticket to get through Germany, it is possible to use it to travel onwards to following countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, to Paris and Marseille in France (ICE, TGV and Thalys), Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia and Italy/South Tyrol. More information  here.

SNCF offers 1 free journey through France and to neighbouring European countries upon presenting Ukrainian passport or ID card, more information  here . 

Eurostar offers  free travel  to London St Pancras from following stations: Paris Nord, Lille Europe.

Free onward travel for those arriving with Deutsche Bahn’s Help Ukraine ticket

Eurostar offers  free travel  to London St Pancras from Brussels-Midi.

Free  1 day one-day ticket  on Dutch railway  

Eurostar offers  free travel  to London St Pancras from following stations: Rotterdam Central, Amsterdam Central.

Free rail journeys  for Ukrainians. Information on the website is only available in Slovak and in Ukrainian.

Renfe are offering  free travel  on the rail network in Spain.

Trainline  has a good and up to date list of what different countries are offering.

Car Sharing

BlaBlaCar  – it is possible to find car sharing opportunities for journeys across Europe. There is a cost attached to each journey, but it is always a very affordable option.  

Facebook Group  ‘Liftshare – Calais and Dunkirk Refugee Camps’  – is a very active group with lots of volunteers crossing over from Calais/UK nearly everyday. You may need to join the group and ask on there if anyone could take your guest (this is always free travel, with maybe a bit of petrol money needed).

Travel within the UK

National express  offers free travel within the UK.

Rail companies  offer free journeys for the first 48h after someone enters UK.

Travelling with Pets

It is possible to travel with pets on trains, and it may also be possible to travel with pets using car sharing websites. However your guests would need to check with the driver first. Ifaw produced a brilliant guide explaining entry requirements for pets in different countries across Europe, which you can find  here .

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Ukraine war: How can Ukrainians get UK visas – and why is it proving so difficult?

The Ukraine Family Scheme and Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine are two visa routes Ukrainians can take to escape the war with Russia and travel to the UK. But hundreds of refugees are reaching Calais to find they cannot cross the border.

News reporter @LaraKeay

Wednesday 9 March 2022 10:58, UK

Two new UK visa schemes have been announced for Ukrainians escaping the war - but only 5% of applications have been approved so far.

The Ukraine Family Scheme enables those fleeing the conflict to join relatives already living in Britain.

A second visa, which is not yet in operation, promises to allow people and organisations to sponsor Ukrainians and match them with a family - irrespective of whether they have links to the UK or not.

'Catastrophic' situation in Mariupol; follow Ukraine updates live

But chaotic scenes at visa centres across Europe, and particularly at the UK border in Calais, have led to heavy criticism the current visa scheme is not fit for purpose.

Here Sky News looks at what Ukrainians have to do to get a UK visa and why it is proving so difficult.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Family visa route

Last week, the Home Office announced it was launching the Ukraine Family Scheme to allow Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to join relatives already living in the UK.

It means eligible Ukrainians have to apply for a UK visa - and cannot just claim asylum - but the usual fees, minimum salary and English language requirements are removed. The visas last for three years.

It also requires them to submit biometric data, including fingerprints, at a visa application centre, whereas those arriving in EU countries do not - as the bloc is letting Ukrainians in visa-free.

To be eligible for the scheme, you must:

• Have a UK-based family member - immediate or extended • Be a Ukraine national or immediate family member of a Ukraine national applying to the scheme • Have been living in Ukraine before 1 January 2022 (the invasion began on 24 February)

Your family member must be:

• A British national • Have UK settled status, indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence • An EU, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swiss, or Liechtenstein national with pre-settled status, who started living in the UK before 1 January 2021 • Someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

Initially, the government said the scheme would only cover people with "immediate family members" in the UK.

This includes spouses, civil partners, children under 18, parents of under-18s, fiances, proposed civil partners, and unmarried partners - providing you have been living together for at least two years.

But after a backlash, it was quickly expanded to "extended family members".

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These include siblings, parents of over-18s, children over-18, grandparents, grandchildren, or the grandchildren of your partner.

The scheme also applies to immediate family members of those extended family members.

So this also includes their spouses, civil partners, children who are under 18, parents if they are under 18, fiances, and proposed civil partners.

Relationships must have started before 1 January 2022 for spouses, partners, and fiances of extended family members to be eligible.

Why are so few visas being granted?

After applying online, people trying to come to the UK are told to book an appointment at a visa application centre where they can submit their biometric data.

With the centres in Kyiv and Lviv closed as a result of the war, applicants are having to join the millions fleeing the country to attend visa centres across Europe.

The Home Office has set up a pop-up centre in Rzeszow, Poland, near the Ukrainian border, which it claims has "well over 3,000 appointments" available per week.

But British nationals with Ukrainian relatives have described "chaotic" and "distressing" scenes of families arriving at understaffed centres with all their belongings and nowhere to stay while their applications are reviewed.

Others have reported being asked for thousands of pounds when the Ukraine scheme is free.

And the Home Office has confirmed that just 500 applications have been approved so far out of 10,000 currently active.

Why are their problems in Calais?

Those who are eligible for the UK visa scheme have been making their way across Europe to France before, they hope, crossing to Dover.

They are told on the Home Office website that even if they left their homes without documents - like marriage or birth certificates - that prove their relationship with a British national - they will still be approved as long as they can "explain why they are unable to do so".

But although Home Secretary Priti Patel told the Commons last week there were Home Office staff in Calais, it has now emerged this is just an "advice centre" - staffed by a small number of Border Force officials who cannot process visas.

Families who have made the treacherous journey from Ukraine to the UK border were initially told to travel hundreds of miles in the opposite direction to centres in Paris or Brussels.

But now Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has announced a new pop-up centre is being set up in Lille , 70 miles away from Calais.

Although there have been calls for a proper centre in Calais, Home Office minister Kevin Foster said this would allow "chokepoints" of hundreds of people arriving there and falling prey to human traffickers luring them to make an illegal crossing in a boat instead.

Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag reported from Calais this week that there are about 140 Ukrainians staying in a hostel there.

Some are waiting to have their applications approved and others have arrived there not knowing they couldn't get a visa appointment.

"They've travelled for days," she wrote. "Now though they're in limbo - being bounced from desk to desk to notice board to notice board. And the repeated mantra of 'No visas in Calais'."

Home Office 'haven't got the staff'

Matt Palmer, a Briton trying to get family to the UK from Ukraine, told Sky News that the visa application centre in Warsaw had "five staff to 1,000 applications".

Harjap Singh Bhangal, senior partner at immigration and family law firm GLS Solicitors, told Sky News the existing backlog of immigration cases means the system is unable to cope with a new scheme like the Ukrainian one.

"We already have a backlog of 60,000 asylum cases in the UK," he said. "The Home Office infrastructure isn't good enough to deal with this.

"They haven't got the staff. Announcing something is fine, but the application centres themselves are not geared up for it.

"If you bring a scheme in overnight, that information won't have filtered through to those outposts."

Read more: • Ukrainians blast humanitarian corridors to Russia and Belarus • Why have so few visas been issued from Ukraine to the UK? • How many Ukrainians have fled - and where are they going? • Has World War Three already started?

He added that similar visa applications usually take between eight and 12 weeks, and while the government is promising to expedite Ukrainian cases, it is not clear how many applications per day can be rushed through.

Mr Singh Bhanjal also warned of two immigration systems (one for Ukrainians and one for people from elsewhere) running parallel and causing problems, particularly in places like Calais.

"There's a war in Ukraine, so a scheme has been opened for Ukrainians. But there's also a war in Afghanistan and people are fleeing conflict and persecution in Syria, Somalia and Iraq," he said.

"They have to risk their lives in dinghies, while a Ukrainian can walk up to a centre and apply for a visa."

Sponsorship visa route

Last week, Ms Patel also announced there would be a second visa route from Ukraine to the UK - the Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine.

Ukrainians applying for this visa will not have to have a family link - but instead can be sponsored by a private individual, community organisation, business, local authority or church.

They would then be matched with a family and can live and work in the UK for 12 months.

The scheme has not been officially launched, and no further details have been released, so Ukrainians can't yet apply.

Ms Patel said that there would be "no numerical limit" on numbers who can apply and "we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and have matched sponsors".

But Mr Singh Bhangal warned that organisations taking part in the scheme would have to be verified to ensure "the system isn't abused".

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Wales offers free rail travel for Ukrainian refugees

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has announced that from today, refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine can travel for free on Transport for Wales services.

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The scheme will help the refugees while they are settling in Wales, with the free travel scheme running for 6 months.

Ukrainian nationals can claim free travel by showing a Ukraine passport to conductors and station staff.

The scheme is an extension of an ongoing Welsh Government programme which provides free public transport for asylum seekers in Wales, as part of its ambition to become the world’s first Nation of Sanctuary as endorsed by the United Nations.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“My message to the people of Ukraine is clear; there is a warm welcome waiting for you in Wales. “Transport for Wales providing free travel for all refugees is another action which shows Wales is a place of safety and sanctuary for those who need our help. “I am also proud that Wales intends to become a super-sponsor for the UK government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which will provide a safe route for people to come to the UK for up to 3 years.”

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said:

“All of us will have seen the shocking and distressing scenes from Ukraine over the past few weeks. Many of us have been deeply affected by what's happening, and we want to do what we can to support the Ukrainian people in their time of need. “We’re proud of our record of supporting groups with free travel, including being a part of the nation Rail to Refuge scheme offering free travel for people fleeing domestic abuse, and offering free rail travel for NHS workers during 2020. This is a further extension of our commitment to social justice and helping make the world a better place.”

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Ukrainian Travel Scheme

Free travel scheme for ukrainian arrivals..

First Bus is supporting the DfT initiative and is offering free onward bus travel to all Ukrainian refugees for the first 48hrs they're in the country, helping them travel for free to their sponsor's home. This will enable refugees to reach their final destination safely and at no cost.

The scheme is being communicated to host families welcoming refugees and will be visible (in Ukrainian and Russian communications) at ports of entry to the country.  This complements the offer being made by rail services in the UK and across Europe to provide safe and free passage for Ukrainians.

Refugees from Ukraine who have entered the UK will be able to our bus services for onward travel by showing the driver their Ukrainian passport and a rail/flight ticket or boarding pass, from within the previous 48hrs.

Mapping the range of Storm Shadow missiles in the Russia-Ukraine war

These cruise missiles have a range of 250km (155 miles). What does this mean for Russia?

As the war in Ukraine extends over its northern border with Russia, Kyiv is urging the United Kingdom and United States to authorise the use Western long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.

Washington and London said they are now considering lifting restrictions to allow Ukraine to target Russian military sites after a meeting between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, DC, on Friday.

Talk of authorising their use in Russia has enraged President Vladimir Putin, who said last week that doing so would mean NATO would be “at war” with his country.

For Storm Shadow missiles to be used, the UK, France, Italy and the US would be required to agree, given their involvement in manufacturing the weapons.

What are Storm Shadow missiles?

The Storm Shadow is an air-launched, long-range, conventionally armed missile designed to attack high-value fixed or stationary targets.

It is a Franco-British-developed weapon produced by MBDA (Matra BAe Dynamics Alenia), a European missile systems company also involving Italy. Storm Shadow is primarily produced by MBDA’s UK division using components from the US.

The missiles became operational in the UK and French air forces in 2003 and have been used in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya.

Storm Shadow missiles, also known as SCALP in France, weigh about 1,300kg (2,865lb), are 5.1 metres (16.7ft) long and have a range of up to 250km (155 miles).

Their system uses INS, GPS and terrain referenced navigation, and they are fitted with a blast/penetrator warhead, meaning they are able to operate in extreme conditions and can attack hardened or buried targets.

Each missile costs about $1m.

What places could Ukraine target?

Storm Shadow missiles would enable Ukraine to hit targets deep inside Russian territory with enough force to penetrate bunkers and ammunition stores.

Ukraine could potentially target locations such as Kursk, Millerovo and Rostov-on-Don.

What other long-range weapons does Ukraine have – and want?

Last May, the UK confirmed it had sent Ukraine Storm Shadows, but stressed that they came with conditions. The weapons were sent to be used only within Ukraine against Russian targets as the invasion continued. There are two further long-range weapons Ukraine has and wants.

The Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, fires a US-made, long-range missile with a range of up to 300km (190 miles).

According to US officials, Washington quietly sent ATACMS missiles with this range to Ukraine as part of a package of military support in March and Ukraine has used the weapons twice

Kyiv also received mid-range ATACMS missiles last year from the US. They have a maximum range of 170km (106 miles)

They can be launched from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) or the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which Ukraine already has.

Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, which are fired from F-16 fighter jets, have ranges of 370km (230 miles) to 1,000km (620 miles). They have not yet been provided to Ukraine, but earlier this month, the Reuters news agency quoted unnamed US officials as saying the Biden administration could soon announce it would supply Ukraine with JASSMs.

The weapons carry 455kg (1,000-pound) warheads. According to the US, official delivery of JASSMs might take months, and it is unclear whether Biden would allow Ukraine to fire these missiles into Russia.

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Lessons from Red Sea and Ukraine's Black Sea fight help prep Navy for possible conflict with China

Lolita C. Baldor

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon sails in the Red Sea, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

WASHINGTON – The Navy is taking lessons from its combat in the Red Sea over the past year and what Ukraine has done to hold off the Russians in the Black Sea to help U.S. military leaders prepare the service for a potential future conflict with China.

From drones and unmanned surface vessels to the more advanced operation of ship-board guns, the Navy is expanding its combat skills and broadening training. It is also working to overcome recruiting struggles so it can have the sailors it needs to fight the next war.

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Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, is laying out a series of goals, including several that will be highly challenging to meet, in a new navigation plan she described in an interview with The Associated Press. The objective is to be ready to face what the Pentagon calls its key national security challenge — China .

“I’m very focused on 2027. It’s the year that that President Xi (Jinping) told his forces to be ready to invade Taiwan,” Franchetti said. “We need to be more ready."

The new plan, set to be released Wednesday, includes what she considers seven priority goals, ranging from removing delays in ship depot maintenance to improving Navy infrastructure, recruiting and the use of drones and autonomous systems.

One significant challenge is to have 80% of the force be ready enough at any given time to deploy for combat if needed — something she acknowledged is a “stretch goal.” The key, she said, is to get to a level of combat readiness where “if the nation calls us, we can push the ‘go’ button and we can surge our forces to be able to meet the call.”

The announcement of the goals comes as U.S. leaders are treading a fine line, pledging a commitment to the defense of Taiwan while also working to keep communication open with Beijing to deter greater conflict.

Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that split from communist China in 1949, has rejected Beijing’s demands that it accept unification . China says it will do so by force if necessary. The United States is obligated under domestic law to help defend Taiwan and give it weapons and technology to deter invasion.

An important element in any Asia-Pacific conflict will be the need to control the seas. Franchetti said the U.S. can learn from how the Ukrainians have used drones, airstrikes and long-range unmanned vessels to limit Russian ship activity in the western Black Sea and keep access open to critical ports.

“If you look at the Ukrainian success in really keeping the Russian Black Sea fleet pushed all the way over into the east, that’s all about sea denial and that’s very important,” Franchetti said. She added that Ukraine has been innovating on the battlefield by using existing systems, such as drones, in different ways.

The Navy's monthslong battle with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has provided other lessons.

“I think probably no one is learning more than the Navy, because really, this is the first time we’ve been in a weapons engagement zone for this sustained period,” she said.

She said sailors are watching their attacks and analyzing the data as ships respond.

Earlier this year, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier was stationed in the Red Sea to respond to help Israel and to defend commercial and military ships from Houthi attacks. The carrier returned home after an eight-month-plus deployment that the Navy said was the most intense running sea battle since World War II .

F/A-18 fighter jets routinely launched off the carrier's deck to take out Houthi weapons, and Navy destroyers persistently fired rounds of missiles and used on-board guns to shoot down incoming strikes and drones.

On board the USS Mason destroyer, which was stationed with the Eisenhower, Franchetti in August met and promoted one of the destroyer's fire control sailors who worked on its large, fully automatic artillery gun. Unlike missiles, many of the drones launched by the Houthis were more complicated and challenging to target and shoot down, and he was able to adjust the gun to better defeat them.

“He could see how it was performing against the Houthi threat,” Franchetti said, “and he came up with a different way to use the gun to make it more effective in these engagements.”

She did not identify the sailor and declined to provide details on the exact changes he recommended. But it resulted in new formal military tactics and procedures that were distributed to all other ships.

Another key effort will be to improve Navy development of unmanned and autonomous systems and weapons and integrate them into training and combat. As the military brings on new technologies, including unmanned surface vessels, the Navy needs to ensure it has trained sailors who can use and repair them.

The new navigation plan notes that the Navy is now working on concepts and requirements for larger robotic systems and the artificial intelligence applications they could use to understand and control the battlespace.

Navy leaders also understand the financial restraints they will likely face from Congress — limits that rivals such as China do not have. China outpaces the U.S. in the number of ships and is expected to do so into the future.

Navy officials said that while they would like a bigger naval force, they need to offset that by working more effectively with the Army, Air Force, Space Force and Marines, which is something the U.S. has historically done very well.

A challenge will be eliminating the maintenance overruns that often prevent ships from being able to deploy on time. Getting ships in and out of depots on time, Franchetti said, is critical to having a combat-ready Navy.

“These are the things that we know that we need to be able to do to have the force that’s going to be more ready every single day,” she said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.